Students come up with ideas to improve youth development and well-being in Rotterdam-Zuid

On March 5th, 37 students who participated in the "Dare to Lead Society" presented their ideas on youth development and social well-being in the Feijenoord neighbourhood to important stakeholders. The presentation was held at the HefHouse, and students from four different education institutes (Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Hague University of Applied Science, Rotterdam University of Applied Science and University of Leiden) attended, each bringing in their own unique skills, knowledge and creativity.

The Enactus entrepreneurial challenge, named the Dare to Lead Society, is an 18-week long programme for students and young professionals who want to contribute to creating positive societal impact. Project lead Suzanne Hoogenes started

To help bridge the gap between students and the local community, Vanessa introduced the students to the challenges young people in Rotterdam-Zuid have to face, together with Kursat Kayhan from Stichting L.E.S., who run the youth club in the HefHouse. This ensures that the solutions and ideas students come up with are grounded in the actual needs of the youth living in the neighbourhood.

After many phases of research, coming up with ideas, interviewing important stakeholders and testing out their ideas, the students came up with the following ideas to address different aspects of youth development and social well-being:

Drug prevention escape room: a multisensory learning experience that educates young people on the risks of drug use

Feijenoord clothing brand: gives youth with an interest in fashion and design a chance to express themselves and their pride of their origin

Financial educational board game: helps youth in aiming for their dreams by teaching them to be financially responsible in a fun and interactive way

Career workshops and simulations: helps teenagers explore different career paths and give them a sense of direction

Accessible barber training: helps young people develop a skill, earn an income, and build a community-giving them a future perspective

Sports programme: making sports accessible for every child, regardless of their background or financial situation

’We inspired and challenged each other to think of ideas we felt passionate about’

’The programme offers a very rewarding opportunity to immerse in a real area and meet locals. Through this experience you realise that we are actually all the same. Working together with a group of five other students made this an immensely fun process. We inspired and challenged each other to think of ideas we felt passionate about.’

Sustainable solutions

Stakeholders who attended the presentation included local leaders, social organisations, potential funders and community members. During a next step, the Social Impact Fonds provided support in identifying relevant financial sources to the students who want to bring their projects to life and create a sustainable solution to these complex societal challenges. Moreover, these projects will continue to receive long-term support as students further test and implement their initiatives under the umbrella of local Enactus teams of Enactus EUR (Erasmus University Rotterdam) and Enactus THUAS (The Hague University of Applied Sciences).

’One of the most rewarding experiences of my career’

’Being I’m especially proud of how we create a space where students grow as impact-driven leaders while making a real difference in Feijenoord. Seeing their ideas come to life and witnessing their personal development along the way is what makes this journey so special to me.’

The Enactus entrepreneurial challenge is a cooperation between the Social Impact Factory and Enactus Nederland, supported by Maatschappelijke Diensttijd (MDT).