Utrecht Youth Network

📍LOCAL PROGRAM

Samen Hier X Utrecht Youth Network

We are excited to announce a new local program in collaboration with the NGO and their initiative (means: ‘Together Here’).

Samen Hier is the first community-sponsorship model in the Netherlands: a nationwide movement dedicated to actively involving local communities in welcoming newcomers. Samen Hier creates safe pathways and havens for people fleeing, fostering involved, inclusive, and supportive communities. This initiative is already making a difference in cities like The Hague and Rotterdam.

Now, Utrecht Youth Network is bringing Samen Hier to Utrecht! Together with Justice and Peace, we will establish a community where young change-makers ensure that newcomers in Utrecht feel at home.

Stay tuned to see how you can get involved in this program and create a welcome group yourself! Connected, to change! 🔗

📍LOCAL EVENT

Ufuk, member of our NGO, led successful workshops on entrepreneurship and the use of digital tools for diverse students.

👉 The first session was held at the University of Utrecht and UU centre for entrepeneurship, followed by a second session at Hogeschool Inholland in Haarlem for the business department. The crowd gained valuable and motivating insights into young entrepreneurship and the use of online crowdfunding.

During the workshop, Ufuk shed also light on how Erasmus+ projects have influenced his personal journey and his growth and development in entrepreneurship. Six years ago, when he started creating and conceptualizing his own company , he lacked a network of like-minded individuals.

🗣️Through Erasmus+ projects, he connected with people who shared similar aspirations, visions and dreams. The team he now collaborates within his own company Horizon Ruler consists mostly of people he met during these intercultural projects, all residing across Europe and beyond.

Beyond expanding his network, the projects he joined equipped him with valuable skills that continue to help him in his personal and professional life, including communication skills, the use of digital tools for social problems, and out-of-the-box thinking.

🚀 Ufuk’s knowledge and passions greatly benefit our local and international work. At the same time, he stands as a remarkable example of the impact of Erasmus+ on someone’s life!

🌍 UPDATE 🌍

Before and after our official launch, the Utrecht Youth Network has been busy setting up the foundations of the organization!

🤝 Various team meetings were held, working not just only on plans and project proposals, but building towards a community of empowered and connected people. A big milestone: Anouk went to the Notary, officially registering the Utrecht Youth Network as a foundation and NGO in the Chamber of Commerce!

🏙️ We have been active in Utrecht, and outside Utrecht: attending events and trainings, speaking with local organizations, listening to the community, and gaining insights into the important topics that matter to them – from youth participation and human rights to digital skills. What we are learning and hearing here, is shaping our local and global projects. Stories from these experiences will be unfolding on our Instagram.

✨Most importantly – we are excited to announce our first international project, made possible by funding from the European Union via Erasmus+ and This summer, we will be holding a 9 days project in the Netherlands with eight other European partners focused on climate change, sustainability and youth participation. Topics that are very important to most of our youth workers and youth in our community – connecting local with global. The preparations for the project have already started, more information soon!

Stay tuned, as we set off this journey together: connected, to change! ❤️🤍💙

🌎 WHAT DO WE DO

OUR APPROACH
Empowering and connecting people of diverse backgrounds, that is our mission. We achieve this by focusing on pragmatic and solution-based projects to strengthen the talents of everyone. However, our focus is more than individual growth; it’s about connecting and mobilizing these empowered individuals to contribute actively to a just and involved world where everyone is seen and heard.

Our work is a dynamic response to the challenges of the present and the future. We focus on two interconnected pathways: Local and International projects. The projects will span a spectrum of important societal issues and sustainable development goals, including but not limited to human rights and equality, social health and peace education, migration and integration, youth participation and democracy, digital literacy and leadership. During these projects, our main objective is to inspire positive change, connect people and equip them with the necessary tools to tackle societal issues in their communities and worldwide.

Based in the Netherlands, we operate with a global perspective. We believe that true impact is achieved through collective effort. Therefore, we collaborate extensively, partnering with local organizations and international youth networks deeply rooted in their local communities: connecting local with global.

OUR GLOBAL NETWORK
Utrecht Youth Network is part of an active global Youth Network. As a newly established organization, we value the importance of gaining knowledge and learning from the experience of our partners, who have been dedicated to promoting change in their local and international communities for many years.

Our partners are based in diverse countries, such as Belgium, Copenhagen, France, Slovakia, and Turkey. We are uniting our efforts across borders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and work on joint projects. Together, we form a powerful and influential network, actively contributing to positive and transformative change locally and globally.

🌎 WHO WE ARE

Stichting Utrecht Youth Network is a NGO based in Utrecht, working with a global perspective! Connected, to change!

OUR VISION
We envision a just and involved world, where everyone is seen and heard, and people connect to actively contribute to change.

OUR MISSION
We work to strengthen the qualities, skills and talents of everyone, and to mobilize and connect people of diverse backgrounds in order to contribute to social inclusion, empowerment, integration, equality, and active participation in society.

OUR VALUES
I. Adapting to the Challenges of the Present and the Future: The world is dynamic, and so are we. Our adaptability ensures that our work is always relevant, addressing both current and future societal issues.

II. Inspire and Respect: Our interactions are guided by inspiration and respect. We inspire positive change and foster a culture of respect for diverse perspectives, creating an environment where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.

III. Pragmatic and Solution-based: We are not just dreamers; we are do-ers. Our projects and initiatives are rooted in pragmatism, driven by a solution-oriented mindset that turns aspirations into visible change and direct results.

IV. Bottom-Up, Connecting Local with Global: Change starts at the local level. We believe in a bottom-up approach, connecting local communities with global networks, recognizing that impactful change is a collaborative effort.

V. Working Together: We believe in the power of unity, forging partnerships locally and globally to amplify our impact.

🌍UTRECHT YOUTH NETWORK 🌍

Exciting news! After hard work, the Utrecht Youth Network is thrilled to announce the official launch of our NGO!

Anouk got encouraged and inspired by other National Youth Networks to start a Youth Network in the Netherlands. She gathered a dynamic and passionate team, including Ufuk Koc, Margot Pijnenburg, Antje Sjonger, and Lianne de Raad (the last two are missing on the picture).

Rooted in Utrecht, we will be working together towards an involved and just world where everyone is seen and heard, and people connect to actively contribute to change.

Follow us here for a closer look into our vision and mission, our partners, our plans and projects, and discover how you can be a part of our journey!

Connected, to change! ❤️🤍💙

You can also follow us on Instagram to get a closer look in our work!

Utrecht Youth Network (UYN) (@utrechtyouthnetwork) • Instagram photos and videos 57 Followers, 23 Following, 1 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Utrecht Youth Network (UYN) ()