Youth meeting places in West Maas en Waal!
The Municipal Executive has decided that places will be created in the municipality of West Maas en Waal where young people can meet. These youth meeting places are part of the Space for Youth project.
Youth meeting places in public spaces (JOPs)
The municipality is committed to providing a healthy, safe, and promising environment for young people to grow up in. To achieve this, it is important to create a positive environment where young people can participate in leisure activities. The Space for Youth project was set up to take the first steps in this direction.
One concrete action has emerged from the project: youth meeting places (JOPs) in public spaces. Young people currently have few or no covered places where they are allowed and able to meet. They do need this, as evidenced by meetings with professionals and parents, a discussion with a group of young people, and a questionnaire.
Our young people must be able to grow up with opportunities, in good health, and safely.
Alderman Rob Reuvers on youth meeting places: "The creation of two youth meeting places stems in part from the needs of young people. I believe it is important to listen to our young people and take them seriously. The Space for Youth project combines the needs of young people with the expertise of parents and professionals. I hope that by creating these spaces, we are taking a step further in creating a positive environment in which our youth can grow up in a promising, healthy, and safe way."
What now?
Two youth meeting places will be created. One in Beneden-Leeuwen and one in Dreumel. These two villages were chosen based on the number of young people living there, their distribution, discussions with a group of young people, and the knowledge and expertise of professionals. The exact locations and designs of the youth meeting places are not yet known. An experienced project agency will coordinate and implement the process. They will do this in collaboration with young people, the municipality, and professionals. Youth participation is an important part of the process. This means that young people from the municipality of West Maas en Waal will have the opportunity to contribute their ideas. Local residents will also be involved in the process.
Project Space for Youth
The Space for Youth project is based on the Growing Up in a Promising Environment program developed by the Trimbos Institute. The program uses a scientifically proven effective approach. The aim of the Space for Youth project is to create a positive environment in which substance use and youth nuisance are reduced and mental health is improved. The project consists of four different phases: monitoring, feedback and dialogue, policy-making, and implementation. The first three phases have been completed. For example, a questionnaire was administered to first- and second-year secondary school students at Pax Junior, and professionals and parents/guardians were invited to a meeting. The project is currently in its fourth phase.