The Photo-Story of the Carefreestate

The images of this special volume were taken in the central kitchen of the “Carefreestate” in a large city of the Netherlands by Dutch photographer Janine Schrijver. We greatly appreciate her generous gesture to include them in this volume.

In the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, a new initiative, run by and for citizens is called the Carefreestate (De zorgvrijstaat). Ironically, this community-inspired initiative is all about caring for each other. It is not carefree, but care work done by people from and for the local neighborhood, freed from state control and professional expertise. It ranges from preparing and cooking meals, to sharing a dinner together. From doing groceries for older people who are unable to go outside anymore, to supporting other neighbors with their tax forms. It is an example of a bottom-up, nongovernmental, strong social infrastructure that puts ‘care’ at its center. Care and care work are not tangible. But the marginal social product of care is great. Care gives numerous contributions to human and social capital.