A traumatic past does not have to determine a young person's future. Yet experiences of war, violence or insecurity can continue to have an effect for years. Professional help contributes to recovery, but at least as important is an environment in which young people feel safe, develop self-confidence and dare to dream again. Jongeren Company Foundation supports initiatives that aim to make a difference in exactly that area.

We spoke with co-founder Herman Nugteren about the impact of trauma on young people, the importance of social support and the role the fund plays in it.

A young brain is still developing

Children and young people have a remarkable capacity to develop. Their brains are still growing and constantly adapting based on new experiences. That flexibility, also known as neuroplasticity, enables them to learn quickly, acquire new skills and adapt to changing circumstances.

But that sensitivity also has a downside. Those who grow up at a young age with war, violence, neglect or other drastic events can experience the consequences for a long time. Insecurity and stress can influence how a young person views themselves, others and the world.

More than what happened to you

At the same time, this does not mean that their development is set in stone. Positive experiences can also contribute to recovery and resilience. A friendship, a sense of achievement or an environment in which someone feels safe and valued can help rebuild trust. According to Herman, that is where an important opportunity lies. Not only looking at what a young person has been through, but also at what is still possible.

One conviction is central to this: young people with a traumatic past are, first and foremost, simply young people. With dreams, talents, wishes and possibilities. What they have been through does not have to determine who they become. A safe environment, someone who listens to them or an experience that restores their confidence can be an important step towards a different future.

From the war in Bosnia to a foundation of their own

The origins of Jongeren Company Foundation go back to 1993, when Herman was deployed to Bosnia as a soldier. There he saw up close what war does to people. The experiences of children in particular made a deep impression. What stayed with him was that the consequences of war do not disappear as soon as the violence stops. Traumatic events can continue to affect the lives of those who experienced them for years.

After his military career, Herman and his wife Martine became involved with the international aid organisation Wings of Hope, which focused among other things on psychosocial support for children with experiences of war. Their involvement grew into a commitment spanning many years to people with a traumatic past. In the Netherlands, they founded several organisations that offer support to children, young people and adults, including Kindercompany, Trauma Care Company and Special Company.

Recovery does not stop at the therapy room

Through their many years of work in professional care, Herman and Martine saw how important the social environment is for young people with a traumatic past. Where care professionals offer support in processing traumatic experiences, family, friends, peers and community initiatives can contribute to safety, connection and positive experiences in daily life. After all, a therapist or care worker is often only involved temporarily, while the people around a young person can play a lasting role.

Yet initiatives that strengthen this social environment do not always fit within existing funding schemes. Municipalities and other government bodies fund many forms of professional youth care, but resources are not always available for social activities, talent development or projects that strengthen young people's self-confidence.

To support precisely these community initiatives, Herman and Martine founded Jongeren Company Foundation in 2023.

Seeing the child instead of the trauma

With the motto 'For young people who deserve more than their past', Jongeren Company Foundation focuses on initiatives that help children and young people with a traumatic past to rebuild trust, discover their talents and participate in society. The fund offers more than financial support. Drawing on their many years of experience, the founders also make their knowledge, expertise and network available to help promising initiatives move forward.

What this looks like in practice is shown by the collaboration with Connect Us Barneveld. This initiative brought together 60 refugee young people and Dutch young people through sports and social activities. For young people who have had to leave their familiar surroundings behind and have sometimes been through drastic events, these encounters offer a chance to build new connections and feel part of a community.

Not everything that counts can be measured

The impact of such projects cannot always be easily expressed in numbers. After all, how do you measure how much a new friendship, a safe environment or a positive experience means for a young person's self-confidence? That is why Jongeren Company Foundation looks beyond measurable results alone when assessing initiatives.

The fund considers the following points particularly important:

• The target group: the initiative focuses specifically on children and young people with a traumatic past.
• The social added value: the project contributes to recovery, resilience, self-confidence or social connection.
• The feasibility: there is a realistic plan with clear goals and a well-considered use of resources.
• The people behind it: the initiators are committed, know their target group and can explain what difference they want to make.

Personal contact plays an important role in this. Herman and the others involved like to talk with initiators to better understand their plans and motivation. The central question is not how much money an organisation needs, but what changes in the lives of the young people when the project is carried out.

A future that is not set in stone

Herman and Martine founded Jongeren Company Foundation with the long term in mind. Their ambition is not to become the biggest fund or to finance as many projects as possible, but to carefully support initiatives that truly mean something to young people. "We cannot change what happened to a young person in the past. But we can help make sure that this past does not determine their entire future."

Want to learn more about the fund? View the profile of Jongeren Company Foundation