Around 35 young people, together with approximately 10 other participants and interested guests, came together at the FNV building in Nijmegen for another co-creation session as part of Jeugdverbinden 2.0: Our City, Our Voice! The session was organised by Bildung Nijmegen in collaboration with Stichting SpelSlot. What do young people need in Nijmegen? During the session, participants discussed what matters to them as young people living in Nijmegen. They reflected on what the

As part of Art Connects, last week we explored a new creative discipline: welding. For most participants, it was their first time working with metal and a welding machine. It felt exciting and slightly challenging at first, but curiosity and enthusiasm quickly took over. After an introduction to safety and the basic techniques, everyone had the opportunity to get hands-on. Step by step, participants learned how to join pieces of metal and discovered that welding is not only a

On Tuesday 7 July, around 45 young people and 10 other guests, including representatives from several partner organisations, came together at Kouros Atelier for a new Jeugdverbinden 2.0 co-creation event. It was an afternoon and evening filled with meaningful conversations, fresh ideas and new connections, all centred around one important question: what really matters to young people in Nijmegen? The event began with the Jeugdverbinden 2.0 youth survey. Participants were invi

For four young people and one team leader from Bildung Nijmegen, the summer started with a special adventure: the Erasmus+ youth exchange Roots & Waves in Soulac-sur-Mer, France. For several participants, this was their very first Erasmus+ project. That means packing your bag, travelling with a group, meeting young people from other countries, speaking English, figuring things out together and slowly realising that you are capable of more than you thought. And as if that was

At Bildung Nijmegen, we believe that meaningful projects begin with young people themselves. That is why we are launching Jongeren kiezen wat telt at the end of September. This project brings young people together to explore which ideas they want to develop further within Bildung Nijmegen. These ideas can grow from their own interests, talents and experiences, whether that is around creativity, culture, community, conversations, activities or new ways of bringing people toget

As part of Kunst doet Verbinden, a project by Bildung Nijmegen, this workshop focused on glazing. Because of the warm weather, we adjusted the planning and held the workshop on a different day with a smaller group. We also took extra precautions, including plenty of drinks, more breaks and a calmer pace. The smaller group created a warm and personal atmosphere. Participants had the time and space to work at their own pace, ask questions, help each other and enjoy the creative

From 21 to 27 June, a group of young people from Bildung Nijmegen took part in Friendship Week in Haninge, Sweden. This Erasmus+ Youth Exchange focused on friendship, community and connection. Together with young people from Sweden and Italy, our participants spent a week in and around Haninge, about 30 minutes south of Stockholm. The programme was all about getting to know each other, doing activities together, spending time in nature, sharing cultures and discovering how qu

On 16 June, young people came together again for Jeugdverbinden 2.0. During the meeting, we discussed the challenges young people experience in Nijmegen, as well as their ideas, concerns and hopes for the future of the city. The meeting started with an online survey. Afterwards, we discussed the results together using different statements. This led to open conversations, recognisable stories and a variety of perspectives. Young people shared what matters to them, what they st

At Hobbycentrum Nijmegen, participants of Kunst doet Verbinden continued their creative journey with a still life painting workshop under the guidance of artist Claudia Librizzi. During the workshop, the participants worked with observation, colour, shape and composition. A still life may seem simple at first, but it invites people to slow down and really look. What colours do you see? How does the light fall? Which details stand out? From there, everyone translated what they

During our second City Walk, we explored the medieval history of Nijmegen together. This time, the focus was on power, faith and city walls. Guided by Adnan, the participants walked past places that still tell the story of how the city was shaped, protected and governed centuries ago. After a shared lunch at JongerenLab, the group headed towards Kronenburgerpark. At the Kronenburgertoren, we reflected on Nijmegen’s medieval defences and the way the city expanded over the cent

On Friday 5 June, the first clay modelling workshop took place as part of Kunst doet Verbinden, our creative project at Hobbycentrum Nijmegen. Participants came together to explore clay, shape their own ideas and experience how art can create space for meeting, learning and connection. For many participants, it was their first time working with clay. That made the workshop especially valuable. There was room to experiment, ask questions, make mistakes and slowly create someth

Last Saturday, Bildung Nijmegen hosted its first Historic City Walk and dialogue session. It was a warm, inspiring and thoughtful afternoon in which local history, personal stories and meaningful conversation came together in a natural way. Guided by Adnan, participants walked through Nijmegen and explored the city not only as a place of buildings, streets and monuments, but as a living collection of stories. We reflected on the Roman roots of Nijmegen, the long history of pe

From 17 to 26 April 2026, Abdulrahman took part on behalf of Bildung Nijmegen in Train for Global Change, an international Erasmus+ training course on Global Education in Bușteni, Romania. The training brought together educators, youth workers and facilitators from different countries to explore how global themes can be made understandable, creative and meaningful for young people and local communities. For Bildung Nijmegen, this connected strongly with the work we do in Nijm

We are proud and happy to share that our Erasmus+ Training Course Youth Empower Green has been approved. The project will take place in Ureki, Georgia, and will bring together youth workers, trainers and professionals from 10 different countries to explore the role of youth work in building a more sustainable future. With Youth Empower Green, Bildung Nijmegen wants to create a learning space where participants can exchange experiences, develop practical tools and reflect on h

From 6 to 15 May 2026, Bildung Nijmegen travelled to Riposto, near Catania in Sicily, with five young people and one team leader for the Erasmus+ youth exchange Climate Chain: Empowering Young People for Environmental Sustainability. The project was hosted by InformaGiovani and brought together young people from different European countries to explore climate, sustainability and the role young people can play in creating change. The programme focused on themes that are often

With Kunst doet Verbinden (Art Connects), Bildung Nijmegen creates accessible creative workshops where art, meeting others and personal expression come together. You do not need any experience with art or pottery. The workshops are mainly about creating something together, trying something new and discovering what can happen when you work with your hands. The first workshop series focuses on pottery. On Friday 5 June, participants will work with clay and create their own piec

Some stories slowly disappear from a city. Not because they are unimportant, but because nobody really asks about them anymore. With Vergeet-me-niet Gesprekken, Bildung Nijmegen brings young people and older residents of Nijmegen together through personal stories, memories and meaningful conversations. Within this project, young people will speak with elderly residents from traditional Nijmegen neighbourhoods such as the Benedenstad, Bottendaal, Hatert, Heseveld, Neerbosch-Oo

Yesterday, on 5 May, Bildung Nijmegen was warmly invited by Mawteni Foundation to join a beautiful Freedom Meal. It was an evening dedicated to meeting one another, connecting, and reflecting together on the meaning of freedom. With delicious food, music and fun games, the evening had a warm and welcoming atmosphere. People came together, shared stories and enjoyed a special moment of togetherness. For Bildung Nijmegen, these moments are deeply valuable. Freedom is not only s

Nijmegen is a city full of stories. Beneath our feet lie traces of the Romans, medieval city walls, wartime history, reconstruction, water, trade, encounters and change. With Historic City Walks, Bildung Nijmegen invites residents, young people, newcomers, students and anyone interested to rediscover the city together. During these historical walks, we explore places that tell us something about Nijmegen’s past, present and future. We do not only look at dates and buildings,

From 13 to 19 April 2026, Mina and Claudia took part in Vibrant Minds on behalf of Bildung Nijmegen, an international Erasmus+ seminar in Rijeka, Croatia. For one week, youth workers, volunteers and people from different civil society organisations came together around one central question: how can we use art to give young people more space for expression, encounter and connection? For us, this is not an abstract question. At Bildung Nijmegen, we see again and again that art

On 14 April, young people came together again for a new Jeugdverbinden 2.0 session at Dar al Yasmin in Nijmegen. Following the first kick off, this was a valuable moment to continue building on the conversations, ideas and themes that had already started to take shape. This gathering once again focused on what young people themselves find important for their city and their future. In an open and welcoming setting, they spoke with one another about issues that genuinely matter

We are very happy to share that our application within the European Solidarity Corps has been positively approved. After receiving our ESC Quality Label, this is an important next step for us. This funding gives us the opportunity to further develop a range of ESC activities in the coming period and to create new opportunities for young people around solidarity, personal development, meaningful encounters, and international experience. More information about the activities an

Recently, we had a warm and meaningful conversation with Cees de Beer, city councillor in Nijmegen. We spoke about Bildung Nijmegen, our work with young people in the city, and why we believe it is so important that young people are not only listened to, but are also truly given the space to think along, speak up, and help shape their surroundings. It was a valuable exchange about what young people are experiencing, the challenges they face, and the importance of creating roo

At Bildung Nijmegen, we believe youth participation only becomes truly meaningful when young people are not brought in once a plan is almost finished, but are taken seriously from the very beginning. Not as a target group something is created for, and not simply as a group that is invited to respond to a question, a survey, or an idea that has already largely been decided. For us, it starts somewhere else. It starts with listening. With genuinely wanting to understand what is

On 10 March, Bildung Nijmegen attended the youth debate in Nijmegen together with a group of young people, following an invitation from the municipality in the lead-up to the municipal elections on 18 March. As part of our KA154 project Jeugdverbinden 2.0, we joined the event to engage with young people around issues that matter to them and to their future in the city. During the debate, different political parties discussed four key themes that had been submitted by our comm

From 24 February to 30 March 2026, two participants from Bildung Nijmegen – Olé and Jasper – are taking part in an inspiring European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Team Volunteering project in Guadeloupe. Together with young volunteers from across Europe, they are contributing to the Handi-Surf Festival, an initiative that promotes inclusive surfing and ocean activities for people with disabilities. The project shows how sport, solidarity and intercultural cooperation can come toget

With Jeugdverbinden (Youth Connect) 2.0: Our City, Our Voice, Bildung Nijmegen brings together young people from different neighbourhoods of Nijmegen to reflect on their role in the city and actively contribute to its future. The project is built on a simple yet powerful idea: young people should not only be the subject of policy discussions, but active participants in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. The first physical gathering of the project marked the begin

From 23 February to 2 March 2026, eight young people from our network took part in the international Erasmus+ youth exchange Cycles – Circles – Loop in Llinars del Vallès, near Barcelona in Spain. Together with participants from several European countries, they spent a week learning, creating and reflecting on the relationship between people, nature and society. The exchange focused on the idea of circularity. How can we rethink the way we live, produce and interact with our

Through Bildung Nijmegen, Jelmer took part in the Erasmus+ Training Course “The Art of Development” in Lithuania. This international training brought together youth workers, trainers and participants from different European countries to explore personal development, coaching and new approaches within youth work. A key theme of the training was embodiment – using the body as part of learning, reflection and personal growth. Through workshops, exercises and group activities, pa

At Stichting Bildung Platform Nijmegen we believe young people are not just the future, they are the present. With Jeugdverbinden 2.0: Our City, Our Voice, we are building a Nijmegen where your voice truly matters. Not tomorrow, but today. In Jeugdverbinden 2.0: Our City, Our Voice, we bring together young people from Nijmegen and the surrounding area to talk about what is happening in their lives, their neighbourhoods and their future. Topics such as equal opportunities, men

Last week, we organised a special afternoon for (part of) our community members. There was no agenda, no formal programme, no expectations. Just a moment to come together and say thank you. We played games, shared drinks, talked, laughed, and simply enjoyed each other’s company. It was a relaxed afternoon space to connect as people, without pressure or responsibilities. This gathering was all about appreciation. For the time, the energy, the trust, and the commitment our comm

At Bildung Nijmegen, we believe in learning, creating and connecting, not just within classrooms, but across communities, generations and borders. Our 2026 programme is a reflection of that belief. It brings together students, young adults, educators, artists, researchers, local residents, and international partners. Part of this programme is already in place. The rest? We’re building it together through dialogue, shared ownership, and co-creation. 🗳️ Youth in Dialogue (Jeu

Throughout the year, we worked across the city. In schools, in neighbourhoods, in studios and together met partners in Nijmegen. We collaborated with young people, artists, residents and professionals on projects where art and education were not goals in themselves, but ways to connect. Ways to meet, to create, to talk and to reflect on what is happening in the city and in people’s lives. Our local projects were centred on encounter. We worked at the intersection of cultural

In December, New Generation Paper took place in Évora, bringing together young people from different European countries around a topic that seems ordinary at first, yet touches many layers of everyday life: how we use paper, how we digitalise, and how conscious choices can shape a more sustainable future. Throughout the week, there was space to explore, question and learn together. Workshops focused on where paper comes from, how it is produced and consumed, and what impact t

We have received the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Quality Label – Lead & Support. For us, this recognition is a moment to pause and feel grateful for the trust placed in us, for the people we work with, and for the young people and volunteers who have been part of this journey. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that solidarity begins with real human connection. With this Quality Label, we are able to guide, coordinate and support volunteer projects within the

In December, the Erasmus+ training project Digital tools, be aware! took place in Guadeloupe. Youth workers and young people from Europe and the Caribbean came together to reflect on our everyday digital habits and their impact on both people and the environment. The trainings and workshops were delivered by Ride In 971 and Clean My Island. Drawing on their hands-on experience in youth work, education and environmental awareness, they made visible what often remains unseen in

At the beginning of December, youth workers and organisations from across Europe came together in Maribor for an intensive and inspiring Planning 2026 Weekend. Participants from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Poland and Serbia gathered to reflect, connect and look ahead together. Over the course of three days, we explored current challenges in youth work, exchanged experiences and good practices, and discussed which themes and priorities truly matter as we

Connecting Voices brings young people from across Europe together in a safe, open space where experiences that are often difficult to talk about can finally be shared. During our second online session, we once again saw how powerful it is when young people meet each other without judgement, guided by curiosity and a genuine willingness to listen. As the conversation unfolded, the realities of bullying, discrimination, and integration challenges became clearer, but so did the

Last night, Mariënburgplein transformed in a way we don’t often experience. Young people from all across Nijmegen came together for Glow Up, the youth festival that brought real light into the late-November darkness, both literally and figuratively. It felt like a world of its own: laser beams drifting through the air, paint glowing into life, and conversations sparking between people who hadn’t met five minutes earlier. At the opening, something special took center stage. Ou

Last week, during the Meet & Eat at the Student Church in Nijmegen, Arthur shared his experience from an international youth project in Puglia, Italy. The project brought together young people from across Europe to explore a topic that feels more urgent than ever: fake news and the impact of misinformation on our societies. Arthur spoke about what he learned there, not as abstract theory, but through real conversations and encounters. He explained how misinformation can arise

From 10 to 14 November we travelled to Gaziantep, Türkiye, to take part in the Erasmus+ project Youth Social Participant in Postnormal Times. Bildung Nijmegen joined this programme together with young people and youth workers from France, Italy, Lithuania, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Syria, Jordan and Türkiye. It was a truly diverse gathering in which different cultures, histories and personal stories came together. That diversity shaped the heart of the week, because ev

In Nijmegen, we work every day toward a city where everyone can participate, feel seen, and access equal opportunities. That is why Bildung Nijmegen is proud to join IN: the new learning network in which organisations across the region collaborate to create more inclusive workplaces. For us, it matters to be part of a movement that doesn’t only talk about inclusion, but actively puts it into practice, through the way we work together, how we make decisions, and how we create

Last night, Café de Plak turned into a real haunted house. Mysterious figures wandered through the crowd as students from ROC Rijn IJssel took on their roles as scary actors during the Halloween Scavenger Hunt through the city centre. Between laughter and a few startled screams, teams discovered Nijmegen in a completely new way. After the hunt, it was time for the Halloween Pub Quiz. Teams competed with enthusiasm, answering questions about horror films, eerie traditions and

Bildung Nijmegen joined as a partner in the Erasmus+ training course “Outdoor Therapy for Youth Mental Well-Being” , held in the heart of Arcadia, Greece. This international project brought together youth workers, educators and facilitators from across Europe to explore how nature and outdoor experiences can support the mental health and personal growth of young people. Set among the mountains and forests of Arcadia, the training offered a week of deep experiential learning,

We’re proud to share that Heritage in Motion – Afghan Couture in Nijmegen, a project by fashion designer Mina Wardak (Mùska Couture), has been officially approved by the Culture Academy, in collaboration with the Municipality of Nijmegen. Under the guidance of Stichting Bildung Platform Nijmegen, Mina will spend the next ten months creating a unique collection of ten couture dresses that blend traditional Afghan craftsmanship with contemporary design. Through this work, she b

From October 8th to 16th, a group of young participants from Bildung Nijmegen travelled to southern Italy to take part in the Erasmus+ youth exchange From Fake to Real. Together with peers from Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Romania and Italy, they explored how fake news and misinformation shape our societies and how young people can strengthen their resilience against them. The project focused on media literacy, critical thinking and intercultural dialogue. Through workshops, gro

We are proud to announce that our project Kunst doet Verbinden has been officially approved with support from the VSBfonds. From February...

We are proud to share that our project Vergeet-mij-niet Gesprekken (Stories We Won’t Forget) has been approved by the DELA Fund! In this...

From September 10 to 18, our international youth exchange Creative Recycle took place in Ureki, Georgia, within the European Erasmus+...

On 24 and 25 August 2025, we at Bildung Nijmegen had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from the Bülbülzade Foundation and BEKAM...