Marco L.J. Out

Mayor of Assen

Assen, the Capital of the province of Drenthe, is a compact city in the northern part of the Netherlands. With more than 70,000 residents, the city is known for its welcoming and peaceful atmosphere. Surrounded by a forests, heathlands, and several nearby parks, nearly 60% of our city consists of green space. Building on this foundation, Assen is positioning itself as a frontrunner among small and medium-sized cities in the energy transition.

As the Mayor of Assen since 2014, I represent the city in national and European networks, ensuring its voice is heard in policy and governance discussions. With extensive experience in Dutch local government, I contribute to regional development, public safety, and cross-border cooperation.

I am committed to playing an active role in the Energy Cities Board, contributing to stronger advocacy, practical implementation, and the exchange of best practices between small and medium-sized cities in Europe.

Municipalities are no longer only service providers; they have become key orchestrators of
complex societal transitions. Cities operate at the intersection of energy, housing, mobility,
health and social cohesion, and are therefore uniquely positioned to translate climate
ambition into concrete action.

Marco Out