Michel Poulain Award at the Blue Zone Festival | Amersfoort
During the Blue Zone Festival in Amersfoort, a special moment took place: the Michel Poulain Award.
Presented by Michel Poulain, this award recognizes projects that embody the principles observed in Blue Zones by translating them into real-life environments.
This year, two initiatives were recognized in distinct categories.
In the field of spatial development (ruimtelijke ontwikkelingen – healthy urban development), Marianne Lefever (PosadMaxwan) was awarded for her contribution to designing environments that support health and wellbeing.
In the category of social interventions (maatschappelijke interventies), Bouwe de Boer (Fryslân Bloeit) was recognized for his work in strengthening community dynamics and fostering social connection.
More than an award, this moment represents a shift.
A recognition that health, longevity and wellbeing are not only individual matters, but are deeply shaped by the environments we create.
The projects highlighted during this evening all share a common vision:
they design places where it becomes natural to move, to connect, to slow down, and to live differently.
This reflects what Blue Zones have always shown us.
Not a method.
Not a program.
But living environments that make healthy behaviours effortless.
Seeing this vision being recognized today marks an important step:
we are no longer only observing these environments —
we are beginning to recreate them.