Space for Youth
What is the Space for Youth project?
The municipality of West Maas en Waal wants to give young people space, both literally and figuratively. Space 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 an important part of 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 curious about local figures on the health of young people in West Maas en Waal?
The Gelderland-Zuid Municipal Health Service (GGD) has a website with all kinds of health statistics. Among other things, you will find the results of the Youth Health Monitor.
Origin Space for Youth
The Space for Youth project originated from the 2022-2026 coalition agreement.
The mission stated in the coalition agreement includes:
- Developing a comprehensive youth policy focused on prevention, raising awareness of substance use, and encouraging activity and positive positioning. Specifically, preventing substance use and undesirable activities.
- “Creating dedicated meeting places for young people, equipped with Wi-Fi hotspots, for example. Working with young people, parents, schools, and youth workers to find a sustainable solution to these needs and then implementing it in a way that minimizes any potential nuisance.”
We are implementing this with the Space for Youth project.
In addition, in 2024, the municipality of West Maas en Waal adopted a new policy framework for the social domain. The title of the policy framework is'Building a strong social foundation'. One of the programs in this framework is 'Growing up with opportunities'. In this program, we focus on the healthy development of young people and the development of their talents. The Ruimte voor de Jeugd (Room for Youth) project falls under this program and has been set up to take the first steps in that direction.
Working method Space for Youth
The Space for Youth project is based on the Growing Up in a Promising Environment program . This is a program run by the Trimbos Institute. The program uses a scientifically proven effective approach. This is the approach of the Icelandic Prevention Model.
The components of the Space for Youth project
The Icelandic prevention model focuses on four areas that influence young people's behavior. These are:
- Family
- Peer group (friends and peers)
- School
- Leisure time
Each component includes protective and risk factors. The Room for Youth project utilizes components from the Icelandic prevention model.
But we have added an extra component: feeling good about yourself. This is because the aim of the project is also 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 central to these four phases. This means that we bring parents and local partners together around the young people. In this way, we build a network around them.
Results Space for Youth
The Space for Youth project was launched in 2023. Three phases of the project were completed in 2023: monitoring, feedback, and policy-making. We are now in phase 4: implementation.
The project has revealed that there is a need for meeting places for young people. This is a priority for young people, parents, and professionals. Based on the information from the project, the municipal executive decided in January to create two youth meeting places. One in Beneden-Leeuwen and one in Dreumel.
More information about the Pilot youth meeting places.