Every day we are confronted with negative news. Wars, natural disasters and social problems follow one another in rapid succession. This leaves many young people feeling gloomy. At the same time, Mensen Maken Amsterdam sees that young people want to contribute to society. But where do you start? And how do you make a difference as an individual?

The youth fund Jonge Mensen Maken Amsterdam helps young people turn their ideas into reality. We spoke with Omar, coordinator of Jonge Mensen Maken Amsterdam, about setting up this new fund, how they support young people and how a good idea can grow into concrete impact in the city.

A fund for and by young Amsterdammers

Mensen Maken Amsterdam has been active in the city for some time. In all seven city districts, residents can get support for local initiatives. Applications are assessed by people who live in the neighbourhood themselves. That approach works, but one group finds its way to the neighbourhood funds less easily: young Amsterdammers.

That was the reason to explore how young Amsterdammers could become more involved. The idea of a fund specifically for young people came up. Mensen Maken Amsterdam wanted above all to give young people themselves the means to work out how that could work. This summer, ten young Amsterdammers came together to shape the new fund and were given full ownership. From the way young people can submit an idea to the communication and look and feel of the fund. Step by step, this led to an approach that speaks to young people in a way that suits them.

An application process that fits young people

Accessibility plays an important role. Together with an agency specialised in youth participation and diversity, the group looked at possible blind spots in the plan. Each young person was assigned their own target group to keep an extra eye on during development. How do you take very young people, even children, into account? Or young people who don't speak Dutch? How do you make sure all young people can find their way to the fund? To reach them better, work is being done on an English page, among other things, and initiators are guided personally.

From ideas to a working application process

Once the shape of the fund was clear, it was time to make the place where young people submit their application concrete. Our FindNFund colleague Nienke joined one of the design sessions to work out the application process together with the young people. The young people had a clear vision of how the fund should work. Drawing on her experience with application processes, Nienke helped translate that vision into a concrete setup. This meant choices about the details could be made right there during the session.

A good idea doesn't have to be big

Jonge Mensen Maken Amsterdam is now receiving its first applications. It is clear that the focus is on young Amsterdammers. But what kind of ideas should you think of? According to Omar, a good idea doesn't have to be big. An activity in your own street can fit just as well as a larger initiative. What matters more is that young people know they can turn to Jonge Mensen Maken Amsterdam when they want to make a difference in their surroundings.

Even if there is no concrete plan yet, the door is open for a conversation. Maybe there is already an idea, but help is needed to work it out. Or someone would like to organise something, but doesn't quite know where to start. Jonge Mensen Maken Amsterdam then helps figure out what a good next step could be. And if another fund or organisation turns out to be a better fit, they can use the Mensen Maken Amsterdam network to help find the right place.

Now it's up to the city

Jonge Mensen Maken Amsterdam was festively launched in August. For Omar and the youth committee, this marks the start of what they have been looking forward to: seeing what ideas young Amsterdammers come up with. The ambition is that young people will eventually find the fund just as easily as residents now find the existing neighbourhood funds. If you are young and have an idea for your surroundings, getting in touch should feel natural. Which initiatives will come out of it is deliberately left open. Precisely because young Amsterdammers are so diverse, Omar is curious about the ideas they come up with themselves.

Our call to you:

Do you have an idea for Amsterdam, but don't know exactly how to make it happen yet? Then get in touch with Jonge Mensen Maken Amsterdam. Even with just a first idea, they will help you look at a possible next step. You can find all the information on the Jonge Mensen Maken Amsterdam profile: https://www.findnfund.com/funders/jonge-mensen-maken-amsterdam

Do you work with young Amsterdammers or know someone with a good idea for the city? Then share Jonge Mensen Maken Amsterdam within your network.

Jonge Mensen Maken Amsterdam is made possible by Vfonds, Fonds 21, Rabobank and AMVJ Fonds.