ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to give insight into the mediating-rather than the mobilizing-role of organizations at the local level. On the basis of surveys conducted in a medium-sized Dutch city, an overview of intermediary organizations at the local level is provided. I will show to what extent different types of organization stay in touch with local politicians and administrative branches, as well as to what extent they engage in other forms of political participation. In addition, survey results are compared with interview data gathered from the side of government. This last exercise makes it possible to establish to what extent different organizations can be said to have access to local governmental actors.
