Space for Youth
What is the "Space for Youth" project?
The municipality West Maas en Waal give young people space—both literally and figuratively—to grow up in a responsible, healthy, and safe way. We believe it is important to involve young people in society. Youth participation is therefore a key component of our efforts. Through this, we want young people to be able to participate in society in a positive way, tailored as much as possible to their needs.
Are you interested in local statistics on the health of young people in West Maas en Waal?
The GGD Gelderland-Zuid has a website featuring a wide range of health statistics. Among other things, you can find the results of the Youth Health Monitor at .
The Origins of Ruimte voor de Jeugd
The "Space for Youth" project originated from the 2022–2026 coalition agreement.
The mission outlined in the coalition agreement includes, among other things:
- “Develop a comprehensive youth policy focused on prevention, raising awareness about substance use, and promoting physical activity and social integration. This includes specifically preventing substance use and undesirable activities.”
- “Creating dedicated gathering places for young people, equipped with amenities such as Wi-Fi hotspots. Working with young people, parents, schools, and youth workers to identify sustainable ways to meet these needs and then implement them in a way that minimizes potential disturbances as much as possible.”
We are putting this into practice through the "Space for Youth" project.
In addition, in 2024, the municipality West Maas en Waal a new policy framework for the social domain. The title of the policy framework is“Building a Strong Social Foundation.” One of the programs within this framework is “Growing Up with Opportunities.” In this program, we focus on helping young people grow up healthy and develop their talents. The “Ruimte voor de Jeugd” project falls under this program and was established to take the first steps in that direction.
Approach: Space for Youth
The "Space for Youth" project is based on the " Growing Up in a Promising Environment" program . This is a program developed by the Trimbos Institute. The program employs a scientifically proven effective approach: the Icelandic Prevention Model.
The components of the "Space for Youth" project
The Icelandic prevention model focuses on four factors that influence young people’s behavior. These are:
- Family
- Peer group (friends and peers)
- School
- Leisure
Each component includes protective and risk factors. The "Space for Youth" project utilizes the components of the Icelandic prevention model.
But we’ve added an extra element: feeling good about yourself. This is because the project also aims to promote mental well-being among young people.
The Phases of the "Space for Youth" Project
The project consists of four phases. These are:
- Monitoring;
- Feedback and dialogue;
- Policy-making;
- Implementation
Community building is at the heart of these four phases. This means we bring parents and local partners together around the young people. In this way, we build a network around them.
Results of "Space for Youth"
The “Space for Youth” project began in 2023. In 2023, the project went through three phases: monitoring, feedback, and policy development. Phase 4, implementation, was completed in June 2025. We chose to conduct a pilot in Beneden-Leeuwen.
The project revealed a need for youth gathering places. Young people, parents, and professionals all consider this a priority. Based on the information from the project, the executive board decided executive board January to establish two youth gathering places. The youth gathering place in Beneden-Leeuwen completed in June 2025. For the JOP in Dreumel , we Dreumel once again going through the various phases.
More information about the Pilot Youth Meeting Places.