Previously used annexes_Bid 2_Second Application Form EYC2028 Leeuwarden

Previously used annexes Bid 2 Work in progress – Subject to change These annexes were included in the previous application and have not yet been revised, as the third version of the bid book is still undergoing modifications. Version: September 3rd 2025

ANNEX 1: PROOF OF INTEREST BY THE MUNICIPALITY Written proof of the town or city’s interest in running for EYC 2028.

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ANNEX 2: STATEMENT OF SUPPORT BY TIENSKIP A signed and stamped statement of support by an independent local or regional youth council.

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ANNEX 3: PROOF OF BANK TRANSFER Proof of the bank transfer of the application fee of €700, to the Youth Forum.

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ANNEX 4: STATEMENT OF EXTERNAL SUPPORT Statement declaring external support requested to prepare the application. This document was composed by editor-in-chief Mihai Căsălean, a 20-year-old international student at NHL Stenden University in Leeuwarden. As the foundation for this second application, Mihai used the responses from the first round’s questionnaire, which was created by a team of local young writers and editors following an open call for participation. Guided by the feedback from the European Youth Forum, he gathered additional information and data from professionals associated with the four core EYC partners: the municipality of Leeuwarden, Tienskip, Arcadia, and Keunstwurk, as well as from other organisations working with and for young people in Leeuwarden and Fryslân. Several chapters are based on the input, development, and review by young people, in line with the hourglass methodology for youth participation. The Leeuwarden EYC2028 team maintained contact with the Dutch National Youth Council (NJR) in Utrecht to keep them informed about Leeuwarden's bid for which they expressed support (please find the support letter in ANNEX 8). The NJR also assisted us on several relevant topics by connecting us with information and projects managed by their organisation.

Additionally, the Leeuwarden EYC2028 team utilized the services of András Farkas from Comunitățile Viitorului SRL, a consultancy firm based in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. He provided us with valuable insights and advice on EYC, particularly regarding the bidding process, the questionnaire, project management, and stakeholder engagement.

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ANNEX 5: GENERAL PRESENTATION General presentation of LWD for EYC 2028 and our proposals, to be published on the official website of the European Youth Forum.

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ANNEX 6: CITY MAP Detailed city map indicating the main programme venues and sites involved in the European Youth Capital project. This map is under construction and will be more detailed in our final application. Likely programme venues in the city of Leeuwarden: ● Schools (secondary & higher education) ● Community centers in almost all 27 city quarters and 35 villages ● Pop Venue Neushoorn ● Town squares Oldehoofsterkerkhof, Zaailand & Hofplein ● City park Prinsentuin ● City theatre De Harmonie ● City monastery Grote Kerk ● Cultural hub (former prison) Blokhuispoort and (former secondary school) Oude Ambachtschool ● Municipality building ● Town Hall ● WTC-event-venue for large-scale events Youth initiatives following Project500 in youth clubs in the villages: ● Warten ● Wergea ● Wytgaard ● Grou Projectrelated participatory youth traject in the village: ● Easterlittens

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ANNEX 7: HOSTING AND TRANSPORT OPTIONS Leeuwarden Hotel List Name

# of rooms

Classification

Suitable for people with disabilities?

Price range per night (average standard room)

Fletcher Stadhouderlijk Hof

78

4

No

€ 82 - € 119

Grand Hotel Post-Plaza

82

3

Yes

€ 108 - € 123

Vie Via Hotel

74

4

Yes

€ 107 - € 125

Notiz Hotel

36

4

Yes

€ 99 - € 120

Van der Valk Hotel Leeuwarden*

117

4

Yes

Westcord Hotel Leeuwarden

135

Oranje Hotel Leeuwarden

78

4

Yes

€ 83 - € 118

Alibi Hostel

26 beds backpacker’s

Yes

€ 65 - € 75

Hotel Cafe het Anker

23

3

Yes

€ 57 - € 67

Eurohotel

45

3

Yes

€ 83 - € 107

Bastion Hotel

68

3

No

€ 78 - € 103

€ 111 - € 179 4

Yes € 91 - € 122

* Will expand with 100 more rooms and a luxurious pool Travellers can also make use of platforms such as booking.com and airbnb.com to find rental properties managed by privates. Transport cost overview Bus

Approx. € 3.00 per ride

Taxi

Base fare: €8.00 during the day - Rate: € 2.40 per kilometre

Rental boats

€ 40 – € 100 for 2 hours

Shared scooters

Unlock fee: €1 - Rate: € 0.25 per minute

Rental bicycles

€ 5 - € 10 per 24 hours

Rental cars (excluding gas cost)

€13 - €32 per day - €175 - €385 per week

In addition to these options, Leeuwarden’s compact city centre allows residents and visitors to reach everything within a 15-minute walk. For slightly longer trips, all parts of the city are easily accessible by bike 12

within 15 minutes, making walking and cycling convenient, healthy, and sustainable choices. The surrounding villages, however, lie a bit further outside the city limits. Cultural Venues Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie: a grand theater with a total capacity of over 2,000 seats across seven different halls. In addition to the halls, it features two spacious foyers and a theater café. De Harmonie is fully equipped for performances, workshops, meetings, gatherings, and conferences. Poppodium Neushoorn: a dynamic venue used by both the live music scene and the Firda vocational school, which offers programs related to culture and performing arts, such as sound and lighting technology, event organisation, and creative studies. The building houses multiple training and practice spaces, including a professional dance studio and a recording studio. The three halls can accommodate up to 1,150 visitors, and the venue includes a welcoming foyer. Integrated Urban Space (from 2027): De Harmonie and Neushoorn are located across from each other in the city center. By 2027, the area between them will be redesigned to create a public space fostering interaction, festivals, and open-air performances. This will allow both venues to collaborate on large-scale events and create a hybrid facility capable of hosting simultaneous indoor and outdoor activities.

Podium Explore: a small, intimate flat-floor theater housed in a historic church, with a seating capacity of 150 in the main hall and 80 in the café. Located within walking distance of De Harmonie and Neushoorn. Tryater & Meeuw Theater School: the professional Frisian-language theater company Tryater and the youth theater school Meeuw share a former school building. The facility includes multiple rooms for meetings, workshops, and performances, with a total capacity of approximately 400 people. Blokhuispoort: a former monumental prison that has been repurposed into a multifunctional venue. It houses a library, a hostel (Alibi), educational spaces, a professional dance company (Ivgy & Greben), and restaurants. The two inner courtyards offer additional opportunities for events, while the library provides meeting rooms, a tech and gaming workshop, and a chapel for various gatherings. Kanselarij: a historic building located on Turfmarkt. Originally constructed between 1566 and 1571, it served as the seat of the Hof van Friesland (Court of Friesland). Over the centuries, it has housed various institutions, including a hospital, a military barracks, and the Fries Museum. Today, the Kanselarij functions as a hub for government, entrepreneurship, and education, fostering collaboration between different sectors.

Slieker Film: Friesland's premier film house, featuring three movie theaters with a combined seating capacity of 182. Located in the grand Fries Museum at the scenic Wilhelminaplein, in the heart of the city. Pathé Leeuwarden: The city's largest commercial cinema, boasting a total of 643 seats.

DOAS: De Oude Ambacht School (The old trade school). This place is a hotspot for artists, creative entrepreneurs and social initiatives. It offerst studio and practice spaces, rehearsal rooms, exhibition areas and hospitality. Westerkerk: this is also the location where Podium Explore is housed and is a small, intimate flat-floor theater housed in a historic church, with a seating capacity of 150 in the main hall and 80 in the café.

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Sports facilities Cambuur Stadium: The city's premier football stadium, offering 15,000 seats, plus room for an additional 15,000 standing attendees on the field. Ice Rink: Located adjacent to Cambuur Stadium, offering skating opportunities year-round. WTC Expo Leeuwarden: Northern Netherlands’ largest event complex, featuring more than 40,000 m² of exhibition space, a 4-star hotel, a conference center, and high-end catering services through WTC Hospitality. Skatepark Huizum: A modern outdoor skate park that is freely accessible, serving as a hub for young people to meet, socialize, and enjoy sports. Sportpark Kalverdijkje: A swimming pool of 25 metres, 2 sporthalls, 8 soccer pitches, a korfball field, indoor korfball hall, 2 hockey fields and additional commercial facilities for padel, tennis en gymnastics) Swimming pool It Gryn Stiens: 25 metres swimming pool with a recreational area, outdoor pool and 2 sporthalls. Swimming pool de Blauwe Golf: A swimming pool with whirlpool and wavepool and also a recreational area and 25 metres pool. Rengershal: Located next to the Blauwe Golf and has 1 sportshall, a Gymnasium and a climbing hall. Wiarda: 5 artificial turf soccer pitches,1 natural grass pitch and 1 sportshall. Sports Grounds Meinga Grou: There are 3 fields for soccer, korfball and Frisian handball (Kaatsen).

Sportshall de Twine is a multifunctionall hall suitable for a variety of sports activities. Leeuwarden is home to one of the largest and oldest scouting groups in the Netherlands: Burmania. Activities take place at the clubhouse "De Vesting", where scouts engage in adventurous outdoor experiences. In addition there are 2 other scouting groups in Leeuwarden as well called ‘Scouting group De Esdoorn’ and ‘Luwt Stam’ which is a student scouting group. One key initiative is LAB058, operated by Kunstkade, the cultural education organisation for youth. LAB058 provides a free space for young people aged 13 to 18 to explore their talents in music, visual arts, stage performance, and urban culture. Young meeting spaces (locations within LAB058) Music Lab – Located at Breedstraat 48, in the former Zalen Schaaf theatre. Urban Lab – Based at DOAS creative hub. Stage Lab – Also hosted at DOAS. Visual Lab – Situated at DOAS as well. Leeuwarden offers several venues for festivals and events. Many villages around Leeuwarden also have facilities for cultural activities such as local festivities and open-air theater productions. The largest event locations in the city include: 14

Outdoor event locations Wilhelminaplein (capacity: 8,000 visitors) Oldehoofsterkerkhof & Groeneweg (capacity: up to 15,000 visitors) Gouveneursplein & Hofplein (capacity: up to 6,000 visitors) Indoor event location (other than the ones mentioned above): WTC-expo (over 40.000 m2).

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ANNEX 8: LETTERS OF SUPPORT In this annex you find letters of support coming from youth organisations and organisations working with youth: Line of work Core partners

National

Organisation Arcadia

Signed by Immie Jonkman, CEO

Keunstwurk Tienskip (youth organisation)

Douwe Zeldenrust, director Jeppe Kok, director (annex II)

Nederlandse Jeugd Raad (Dutch Youth Council)

Sabine van Ewijk, board member for International Participation Esther Vreeburg, programme manager Ellen Seerden, innercitymanager Hendrikus Venema, director

Unicef, Childfriendly Cities Initiative Business

Stichting Binnenstads-management Innovatie Pact Fryslân, economic board of Fryslân JGM Serious Experiences

Care

Culture

Recruit a Student employment agency @Ease, mental health care Amaryllis, home base of youth work Dance Company Leeuwarden De Lawei Drachten Embrace Nederland Friesland Pop Harmonie, theatre Jeugd Dansopleiding Fryslân Kunstacademie Fryslân Kunstbende Nederland LAB058/Kunstkade Lake Woozoo, artist hub Leeuwarden UNESCO city of literature Pier 21 Popfabryk Leeuwarden Samenwerkende Muziekverenigingen Leeuwarden (cooperating music-associations) Tryater theatre company

Writer’s Block Murals

Jeffrey Meijer (owner), Carlo Kater (trainer/coach) Jantina Bleijinga Boudien van der Pol, location manager Sjoerd Tolsma, director Elly van der Goot, director Margot Hoiting, director Peter Reen, managing director Siart Smit, director Tia van der Velde, financial director Doet Boersma, director Marjolein Rietveld, director Mark Wagenaar, coordinator Ico Balt Ernst Bruinsma, director Maaike Beckers, business director Paul Giesen, director Wessel de Vries, Tryntsje Hospes Tatiana Pratley (artistic director) and Valentijn Fit (business director) Serge Hollander and Peter Reen, creative directors

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Education

Campus Fryslân of the Rijks Universiteit Groningen Leeuwarden Student City NHL-Stenden, University of Applied Sciences Stichting voor Openbaar Voortgezet Onderwijs Fryslân-Noord (secundary education) Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Minerva Art Academy, Popular Culture Leeuwarden School’s cool Spark the Movement

History Media Politics Social & societal

Sport Sustainability/ circular

Other

HCL, Historical Centre Leeuwarden Omrop Fryslân Jonge Democraten Fryslân Doarpswurk, support-organisation for active villages Maatschappelijke Diensttijd Fryslân, empowering young people to take initiative and play an active role in their surroundings Planbureau Fryslân, research institute for the province of Friesland Romte, social and artistic Stadsklooster & ZinLab Grote Kerk, a new destination for the oldest monument in the city. Stichting Empowerment Collective, empowering (often vulnerable) young people Stjoer, support organisation for vulnerable people Sport Fryslân Vereniging Circulair Fryslân Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology Club Diplomatique – Frisian network of decisionmakers in big businesses, government, education, sport and culture DBieb, bibliotheken/libraries Midden Fryslân Jeugdfonds Sport en Cultuur

Tjalling Halbertsma, dean Anton van der Sluis, director Marc Otto, president of the executive board Folkert Bangma, chairman of the executive board Dorothea van der Meulen, dean Guydolph Dijkstra, projectleader Maximilian Eisenbart, programme manager Meindert Seffinga. director Yannick Pander, chairman Thea Andreae, director Wietske de Koe (regional facilitator) and Priscilla Dens (process-facilitator) Arjen Droog, executive director Douwe Zeldenrust, CEO Jan-Jaap Stegeman, founder and programme manager Gysbert Bergsma, director

Erik Blank, CEO Anne-Jochum, CEO Evert Jan van Nijen, director Johannes Boonstra, executive board Gerlof Reijneker, Chairman of the board

Norbèrt van Halderen, director Lieuwe Krol, Board member

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Core partners of Leeuwarden European Youth Capital are the Municipality of Leeuwarden, Tienskip, Arcadia and Keunstwurk. The letters of the municipality and youth organisation Tienskip can be found in ANNEX I and II. The support letters of Arcadia and Keunstwurk:

Support letters of organisations supporting Leeuwarden for European Youth Capital:

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ANNEX 9 - RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS AND INITIATIVES List of youth organisations: 1. Tienskip (youth organisation) 2. Arcadia 3. Keunstwurk 4. Nederlandse Jeugd Raad (Dutch Youth Council) 5. Unicef, Childfriendly Cities Initiative 6. Stichting Binnenstads-management 7. Innovatie Pact Fryslân, economic board of Fryslân 8. JGM Serious Experiences 9. Recruit a Student employment agency 10. @Ease, mental health care 11. Amaryllis, home base of youth work 12. Dance Company Leeuwarden 13. De Lawei Drachten 14. Embrace Nederland 15. Friesland Pop 16. Harmonie, theatre 17. Jeugd Dansopleiding Fryslân 18. Kunstacademie Fryslân 19. Kunstbende Nederland 20. LAB058/Kunstkade 21. Lake Woozoo, artist hub 22. Leeuwarden UNESCO city of literature 23. Pier 21 24. Popfabryk Leeuwarden 25. Samenwerkende Muziekverenigingen Leeuwarden (cooperating music-associations) 26. Tryater theatre company 27. Writer’s Block Murals 28. Campus Fryslân of the Rijks Universiteit Groningen 29. Leeuwarden Student City 30. NHL-Stenden, University of Applied Sciences 31. Stichting voor Openbaar Voortgezet Onderwijs Fryslân-Noord (secondary education) 32. Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Minerva Art Academy, Popular Culture Leeuwarden 33. School’s cool 34. Spark the Movement 35. HCL, Historical Centre Leeuwarden 36. Omrop Fryslân 37. Jonge Democraten Fryslân 38.

Doarpswurk, support organisation for active villages 39. Maatschappelijke Diensttijd Fryslân, empowering young people to take initiative and play an active role in their surroundings 40. Planbureau Fryslân, research institute for the province of Friesland 41. Romte, social and artistic 42. Stadsklooster & ZinLab Grote Kerk, a new destination for the oldest monument in the city 43. Stichting Empowerment Collective, empowering (often vulnerable) young people 44. Stjoer, support organisation for vulnerable people 45. Sport Fryslân 46. Vereniging Circulair Fryslân 47. Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology 48. Club Diplomatique – Frisian network of decision makers in big businesses, government, education, sport and culture 49. DBieb, bibliotheken/libraries Midden Fryslân 50. Jeugdfonds Sport en Cultuur 26

Notable youth wellbeing initiatives Notable initiatives include “School as a Key Location,” a successful evidence-based programme designed to prevent school dropout by offering early support to at-risk students. Through collaboration with schools, youth workers, school nurses, and care coordinators, the programme has expanded to nine schools. Research indicates that this approach not only reduces dropout rates but also decreases reliance on more intensive secondary care services. Leeuwarden also implements other proven methodologies, such as the STORM method in secondary and vocational education, helping young people better understand their emotions and build resilience. @ease offers free and anonymous support—both online and in-person—for youth aged 12 to 25. Strategic partner Amaryllis provides basic support to youth and their parents. Youth workers engage with people aged 12–23 in schools, neighbourhoods, and public spaces, encouraging participation and educational engagement. Creative and social meeting places such as Moody’s, LAB058, and Music Venue Neushoorn offer important outlets for youth expression. Programs such as Maatschappelijke Diensttijd (MDT) promote volunteering and civic participation, helping young people develop skills and become more engaged citizens.

Additionally, neighbourhood sports coaches stimulate physical activity and promote sports among youth in all districts. As of December 2024, there were 4,534 young people aged 12-29 who have followed an MDT project in Friesland, 1,199 of whom were residents of the city. Opgroeien in een Kansrijke Omgeving (OKO) OKO is a data‑driven, community‑based prevention approach rooted in the Icelandic model, designed to promote healthy and happy youth by strengthening protective factors in environments such as home, school, peer groups and leisure time. Through OKO, municipalities like Leeuwarden collaborate with local partners to monitor youth well‑being, discuss findings, co‑develop policy and implement sustainable initiatives focused on prevention. OKO operates across four key domains: family, school, peers, and leisure, identifying local risk and protective factors through biennial youth surveys. Based on the results, a community dialogue is held with schools, parents, youth workers and local organisations, and jointly they set priorities and select evidence‑based interventions. The municipality leads the effort, coordinating stakeholders through a continuous cycle of monitoring → dialogue → policy formulation → implementation, ensuring sustained investment and systemic change.

By combining local data with a proven framework, OKO provides Leeuwarden with a structured, effective foundation for improving youth well‑being and preventing substance use. European bodies and associations Leeuwarden is an active member of several international networks, including Eurocities, ERRIN, the European Network of Living Labs, the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) family, and Energy Cities. These strategic partnerships not only keep the municipality informed about European policy developments, but—more importantly—enable Leeuwarden to learn from other European cities, share its experiences, and advocate for its interests at the European level. Leeuwarden is also an experienced partner in EU-funded projects, participating in programs such as Horizon Europe, Interreg (Europe, NSR, NWE, and NL-DE), Erasmus+, and the European Urban Initiative (EUI). Previous Erasmus+ projects include Creative Ageing and Giggin’ Policy, the latter focusing on the position of youth in the gig economy. Through ECoC-SME (Interreg Europe), Leeuwarden explored how to leverage its European Capital of Culture legacy to foster a startup ecosystem, particularly by empowering young creatives. As a vocal advocate for the role of small and medium-sized cities (SMCs) in European policy, Leeuwarden collaborates closely with the other three main cities in the Northern Netherlands.

Together, they maintain a shared office in Brussels: the EU Office Cities Northern Netherlands. This office has taken the initiative to establish a dedicated European network of SMCs. Each year, a networking and cooperation event is held in Brussels to strengthen ties between SMCs and key stakeholders, such as universities and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) from these regions. This 27

platform will also be used to amplify the voice of youth in small and medium-sized cities across Europe, ensuring their needs and ambitions are better reflected in EU policies and programs.

ANNEX 10: EYC PROCESS TIMELINE 2018 ● 4th of June: LF2018 (the ECoC organisation) organizes an event called ‘No is de tiid’ (Now is the time). This meeting, attended by 300 participants from various sectors, focuses on the legacy of the European Capital of Culture. During this event, several young individuals brainstorm and declare: ‘Now it’s our turn’. This leads to the proposition of possibly applying for European Youth Capital (EYC). ● 12th of December: quartermaster Sjoerd Bootsma delivers a first memo to alderman Sjoerd Feitsma and deputy Sietske Poepjes, with concrete proposals regarding the legacy of the cultural capital. The memo advises consideration of a candidacy for European Youth Capital, as well as a bid for UNESCO City of Literature. 2019 ● Beginning of the year: several brainstorming sessions are organized by the quartermaster for Legacy about concrete next steps for the LF2018 legacy. Attendees include Keunstwurk (Douwe Zeldenrust), Innovation Pact Fryslân, Klaas Sietse Spoelstra, Municipality of Lwd, Province of Fryslân, and others. Discussions revolve around possible ‘follow-up titles’ for the city and province. The first decision is to apply for UNESCO City of Literature (which is not tied to a specific year, as it is a 'forever' title). The title is successfully achieved in 2019.

Additionally, it is discussed that an application for European Youth Capital should be pursued later (tentatively in five years). ● June: during a large meeting of secondary schools, many teachers express the desire for a “Cultural Capital for Youth.” ● 25th of June: Keunstwurk writes a first memo as input for the LF2018 legacy program, advocating for applying for European Youth Capital. 2022 ● Beginning of the year: Keunstwurk engages in discussions with socio-cultural organisations and shares a proposal for an action plan for the EYC candidacy. ● Summer: Keunstwurk, together with Jan Willem van Kruysen, discusses the candidacy with the municipality of Leeuwarden. ● Autumn: internal municipal meeting is held with middle management in the social and physical domains regarding the candidacy. The project is put on hold due to lack of time and financial resources. 2023 ● Spring: internal meetings at the municipality resume, and the memo about the candidacy is discussed within the Executive Team. The director of the social domain connects the initiative with the local youth agenda. ● Summer: green light! A project leader is recruited, and a team is assembled. ● October: the first steps in the preparatory phase for the candidacy are taken by the municipality. 2024 ● ●

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June: the municipal council takes a separate positive decision regarding the plan to apply for EYC and the preparation budget. 2023/2024: drafting of the youth agenda takes place, and in July 2024, it is approved with a focus on strengthening the influence of young people on policy and implementation. Twelve young people from diverse backgrounds provide input. Young people respond enthusiastically to the EYC candidacy. Two young individuals express this in a video message during an informative youth agenda meeting with the council. First Half of the Year: gathering phase of the bid book (collecting input from young people and desk research). 28

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2025 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Second Half of the Year: story phase (creating the bid book). Actions include brainstorming (concept), co-writing, and verification.

3rd of February: Tienskipdag – Gathering bid input from Firda students (16-20 years), 288 attendees. 3rd of February: meet-up with organisations working with young people – Inspiration session on EYC, 10 attendees. 26th of February: community celebration – Marking the submission of the first EYC application with the LWD Next community, 30 attendees. 10th of March: meet-up with student associations – Inspiration session on EYC with student boards, 20 attendees. 20th of March: sportcafé – Inspiration session on EYC with sports clubs, 26 clubs attended. 2nd of April: Tienskipdag – Gathering bid input from Comenius Mariënburg students (16 years), 100 attendees. 7th of April: meet-up with student associations – Gathering bid input from student boards. 7th of April: meet-up with organisations working with young people – Connecting and brainstorming ideas for activities and the EYC program, 20 attendees. 17th of April: Tienskipdag – Gathering bid input from Firda students (16-20 years), 420 attendees. 24th of April: meeting with Nationale Jeugdraad – Exploratory talk on cooperation. 30th of April: Girls Festival (Amaryllis) – Gathering bid input from 12-year-old girls, 44 attendees. 6th of May: Tienskipdag – Gathering bid input from Aeres MBO students (16-20 years), 50 attendees. 12th of May: meet-up with student associations – Gathering bid input from student boards.

13th of May: launch of Project500 – Youth-led initiative for €500 microbudget funding, 7 attendees. 13th of May: meet-up with organisations working with young people – European opportunities and collaborations, 30 attendees. 19th of May: start of new editor – Enhancing Bid 1 with new input. 23rd of May:guest lecture – Inspiration session on EYC and bid input gathering with students in public administration and European Studies, 15 attendees. 28th of May: kick-off Promoteam LWD for EYC 2028 – Training young ambassadors (aged 14-22) to promote EYC, 4 attendees. 2nd of June: informal city council meeting – Updating city council on Bid 2 progress. 3rd of June: developing programme components – Co-creation session with young people (12-27 years), 10 attendees. 3rd of June: meet-up with organisations working with young people – Focused session on youth participation in Leeuwarden, 20 attendees. 19th-21st of June: youth visit to Parma (EYC2027) – Exchange programme on best practices, 2 young people under project guidance. 4th-7th of July: youth visit to Lublin (EYC2023) – Exchange programme on youth involvement, 2 young people under project guidance.

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ANNEX 11: PEER LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING Participation meetings Leeuwarden and Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) Municipalities can collaborate and learn from each other through peer learning projects and knowledgesharing networks. The Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) of UNICEF Netherlands regularly organises meetings and webinars to support municipalities in strengthening youth participation and promoting child-friendly policies. These events offer valuable insights, practical tools and inspiring examples for municipalities that want to actively work on the involvement of young people in policymaking. To strengthen and celebrate Leeuwarden as EYC, we are organizing a large participation meeting in collaboration with CFCI in the spring of 2026. The three themes of LEYC2028 are central to this. A valuable programme is being put together with various workshops and speakers on youth participation. Together with young people, our youth participation approach (such as Code Young and Project500) and experiences from Leeuwarden are shared. There is also plenty of room to share experiences from other municipalities. Towards the final bid we illustrate the ruther collaboration on peer learning and knowledge sharing with CFCI in 2028.

CERV Child: Up to You(th) The "City Next: Up to You(th)" project focuses on encouraging the active involvement of teenagers (12-15 years old) in the theme of "City of the Future," with an emphasis on inclusivity. This is achieved through focus groups, broad surveys, and participatory processes, where teenagers collaborate with policymakers in Ghent and Leeuwarden. The objectives include raising awareness, developing sustainable participation frameworks for this specific age group, engaging young people in democratic processes, and supporting vulnerable groups. The project follows an equity approach and runs for two years, with steps such as online seminars, participatory programs, and concrete action ideas. Partners include the City of Ghent (lead partner), the Municipality of Leeuwarden, DYPALL, and ECO-city, who work together on European exchange and research support. The project is awaiting approval for funding under the call for proposals on rights of the child and children’s participation (CERV-2025-CHILD).

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ANNEX 12: WORKSHOP THEMES AND SURVEY RESULTS About the Skill Factory The Skill Factory is a youth-driven learning hub that equips young people with practical life skills beyond traditional education. By 2028, it will offer diverse workshops focused on independence, financial literacy, sustainability, creativity, and citizenship, using engaging methods like gamification and interactive showcases. Aligned with the European Skills Agenda, this initiative empowers young people to navigate adulthood with confidence. These themes are based on a questionnaire that was filled in by 178 young people ranging from 10 to 26 years old. Workshop themes - Life skills and sustainability: workshops on everyday essentials like cooking—from beginner techniques to sustainable, budget-friendly meal planning—will foster connection across cultures in Leeuwarden. Additional sessions focus on DIY skills and upcycling, helping young people repair, reuse, and rethink consumption. Partnerships with vocational schools like Firda will provide valuable synergy. -

Financial Independence: these workshops cover practical financial knowledge: budgeting, saving, taxes, renting or buying property, and handling financial stress. In collaboration with the municipality’s current financial aid campaigns, the sessions aim to build strong foundations for confident financial decision-making.

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Navigating adulthood: targeting youth as young as 16, these workshops prepare participants for the realities of adulthood: writing a CV, applying for jobs, understanding insurance, managing stress, setting boundaries, and developing soft skills. Collaborations with JOF and Generation 2035 will support this and contribute to retaining young talent in Friesland.

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Creativity and technology: these workshops focus on creative expression and digital literacy— storytelling, drawing, video editing, music production, and content creation. Delivered in collaboration with D’Drive, the Academy for Pop Culture, and creative spaces like the public library, they support identity-building through art and tech.

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Citizenship and participation: workshops here will help young people understand how governance works—locally and at the EU level—and how to engage. Topics include policymaking, democratic participation, and programs like Erasmus+ and the European Youth Parliament. Partners include Tienskip, NJR, RUN-EU, and Culture Next.

Results of the Questionnaire pertaining to the Open Programme May 2025 Average age of respondents: 17 years (age range between 10 and 26 years old) Total responses: 177 Distribution of locations Category

Count

Percentage

Leeuwarden (city centre)

19

11.31%

Leeuwarden (districts)

38

22.62%

Municipality of Leeuwarden (villages)

22

13.10%

31

Outside the municipality of Leeuwarden but connected through for example work or school

90

53.57%

Breakdown for Leeuwarden (districts) Location

Count

Westeinde

7

Bilgaard

6

Zuiderburen

5

Vrijheidswijk

5

Blitseard

3

Heechterp

3

Aldlan

2

Camminghaburen

2

Techum

2

Vogelwijk

2

Havankpark

1

Vossenparkwijk

1

Bilgaard/Camminghaburen

1

Transvaalwijk

1

Leeuwarden Camminghaburen

1

Zeehelden buurt

1

Binnenstad

1

Achter de Hoven

1

Oud-oost

1

Oud oost

1

Leeuwarden centrum

1

Breakdown for municipality of Leeuwarden (villages) Village

Count

Grou

5

Stiens

4

Hempens

3

Goutum

2

Wytgaard

2

Jirnsum

1

Wergea

1

Oudkerk

1

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Connection to Leeuwarden Category

Frequency

Percentage

Attend school in Leeuwarden

149

88.69%

Live in Leeuwarden

96

57.14%

Spend free time in Leeuwarden

92

54.76%

Work in Leeuwarden

46

27.38%

Belong to the municipality of Waadhoeke

2

1.2%

Used to live in Leeuwarden

1

0.6%

Volunteer work in Leeuwarden

1

0.6%

What do you not learn at school but wish you could? Condensed version: Value

Frequency

Percentage

Cooking

24

14.29%

Money matters, taxes, and financial issues

16

9.52%

Practical subjects

10

5.95%

Languages

7

4.17%

Various sports, gym, and swimming

5

2.98%

Entrepreneurship and work-life factors

4

2.38%

Social skills, mental health, and behavioural issues

4

2.38%

Politics, citizenship, and societal problems

3

1.79%

Hacking, filmmaking, and learning how to execute plans

3

1.79%

Driving a car

2

1.19%

Where would you go to make an idea a reality? Category

Frequency

Municipality & Government

42

School & Education

20

Family & Personal Contacts

9

organisations & External Groups

7

Unsure or Unclear Responses

13

If you wanted to develop an initiative or an idea, what things would you definitely need? Play areas & recreation (15 responses - 8.93%) ● More playgrounds with climbing equipment and monkey bars ● More play areas with gymnastics bars and climbing structures ● Amusement park, climbing forest, Sephora, and T Koekemannetje ● I would like a climbing forest ● More chill spots with benches and playground equipment 33

● There should be a toy store in Leeuwarden ● More swimming pools, including outdoor ones ● Leeuwarden needs more fun playgrounds ● I would like more fun chill spots in Leeuwarden and more play areas ● I want more chill spots, many playgrounds in my neighborhood have been removed ● More play areas for older children ● A swimming pool in Leeuwarden with slides, both outdoor and indoor ● More playgrounds for older children ● An amusement park in Leeuwarden ● More swimming pools with slides, outdoor swimming, and more concerts Stores & shopping (4 responses - 2.38%) ● I want more stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Primark ● More stores in Leeuwarden, like TKMaxx and Primark ● Primark in Leeuwarden, enough stores otherwise ● More jewelry stores Funding & resources (6 responses - 3.57%) ● Help, support, funding ● Money, good connections, and solid execution ● Money, volunteers, and location ● A company, an area, and a contact person ● Financial backing ● People with expertise, a pen, and a computer Planning & organisation (7 responses - 4.17%) ● A team, an action plan, and a location ● Courage, inspiration (creativity), perseverance ● Goal—knowing what you want to achieve, space—a place to work, network—people who can help ● Unity, passion, time ● An audience, a stage/space that is publicly accessible, some materials ● Municipality, school, and other adults ● Nature management,

volunteers, young people What have you always wanted to do but haven’t been able to or dared to? Extreme sports & adventure (20 responses - 11.90%) ● Examples: Skydiving, doing a backflip, ice skating Travel & exploration (8 responses - 4.76%) ● Examples: Traveling, seeing the world, especially nature in Europe, seeing a falling star Entrepreneurship & career (7 responses - 4.17%) ● Examples: Starting a business, creating a project or initiative, stress-free living, knowing I can afford my needs Public speaking & social interaction (8 responses - 4.76%) ● Examples: Pitching ideas, debating, publicly expressing my opinion, talking about mental health, being more social Creativity & arts (7 responses - 4.17%) ● Examples: Acting in a film, painting and showcasing nature through art, organizing youth activities like street art, open mic, film nights, creating an exhibition about Dutch landscapes Education & personal growth (6 responses - 3.57%) ● Examples: Learning a new language, studying climate change in school, meeting musicians and students with shared interests Uncertain or no answer (51 responses - 30.36%)

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Part of the young people that filled in this survey were already actively working on ideas during the Tienskip days. They were also asked to give a top 3 of what they need to make their project a success. What did you need today to ensure your project’s success? Funding & financial support (25 responses - 14.88%) ● Money - Budget - Investment - Subsidy- Financial backing Government & institutional support (22 responses - 13.10%) ● Municipality - Government - School administration - organisations supporting initiatives - Teachers and school leadership Planning & strategy (15 responses - 8.93%) ● Action plan - Project execution - Strategic approach - Problem-solving methods - Approval process Collaboration & people (16 responses - 9.52%) ● Volunteers - Support teams - Community engagement - People with knowledge of the subject Networking and connections Resources & logistics (10 responses - 5.95%) ● Locations for activities - Materials - Accessibility and infrastructure improvements - Tools needed for execution Creativity & inspiration (6 responses - 3.57%) ● Passion and motivation - Innovative ideas - Artistic and creative input Uncertain or no answer (11 responses - 6.55%)

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ANNEX 13: PROJECTS OF THE CURATED PROGRAMME The projects part of the Curated Programme (so far) The LEYC2028 projects were co-created with young people from the start, using both survey data and indepth dialogue during events like Tienskip Days and Arcadia sessions. These inputs shaped a longlist of ideas, most initiated or designed by youth and developed with experienced partners. Each idea includes its origin, youth involvement, and potential collaborators. Through multiple consultation rounds, the programme is refined to ensure it’s inclusive, balanced, and built for long-term impact—rooted in shared ownership rather than top-down planning. This list is divided in the three programme strands: Just, Belonging and Vitality. For each project we work with a shortened list of partners, in some cases these are still potential partners, in many cases the partnerships have been secured. For our third bid, all partnerships will be secured and all projects will have been developed further. Flagship projects have not been selected yet. Even though we have a good sense which ones might get selected, we leave this to our summer development and youth consultations to pick the flagship projects. Just (Equity) Girls Make The City Girls Make The City is an initiative that empowers girls and young women to actively shape inclusive and safe public spaces.

By placing their lived experiences at the centre, the project aims to make public areas more welcoming, accessible, and secure. Young people lead the co-creation process alongside urban planners, designers, and local authorities. (Potential) partners: Leeuwarden-Oost, Wetopia, ZIJkant, Molenbeek 2030 (Brussel), Open Design Afrika (Kaapstad) Youth take the stage Youth Take the Stage is a city-wide initiative to open up cultural institutions to the voices, ideas and leadership of a new generation. Anchored by theatre De Harmonie, the project invites young people to co-shape programming, strategy and public engagement across multiple cultural organisations in Leeuwarden, making space for youth-led innovation at the heart of the city's cultural life. (Potential) partners: De Harmonie, local cultural organisations. LWD Next LWD Next is a large, ever-growing, and diverse WhatsApp-community of young people who actively shape the European Youth Capital programme by generating ideas, collaborating with partners, co-creating initiatives, offering advice on key issues, and voting on programme components. It is a central and collaborative community created during the EYC process, a place where young people converge, learn and amplify their collective voice into a formidable instrument for advice and decision-making.

Participants will gain skills related to the democratic process, while also establishing a strong network that connects with the European youth to share best practices and promote cultural exchange. Quiet Young Quiet develops a youth-specific branch of the Quiet community, helping young people facing poverty access services, experiences, and community connections, for free. (Potential) partners: Quiet Leeuwarden Expeditie NEXT Expeditie NEXT is a national science festival where children explore the world of science through playful and interactive experiences. The festival transforms Leeuwarden into an interactive scientific playground, offering children a chance to explore science through engaging activities, experiments, and mini-lectures. (Potential) partners: Nationale Wetenschapsagenda, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (Campus Fryslân), Wetsus 36

Fryslân Bloeit young Fryslân Bloeit young empowers young people in Frisian villages and neighborhoods to lead sustainable community projects, from biodiversity and health to local culture and energy. Active since 2023, the initiative will focus even more strongly from 2026–2028 on amplifying youth leadership and giving young voices real influence in shaping a sustainable future for their communities. (Potential) partners: Netwerk Duurzame Gemeenschappen, many villages and their communities. Democracy by Design Democracy by Design brings together two playful tools for citizenship education: Samenleven, het spel (Living together, the game) and Dierocratie (Animal-ocracy). Co-created with young people, these interactive games help students of all ages explore democratic values, social understanding and active participation, from primary schools to vocational education. The project supports schools in embedding creative civic learning into the curriculum, encouraging a new generation to shape society with empathy and agency. (Potential) partners: Arcadia, Firda, Keunstwurk, Leeuwarden’s city council and registry office. Generation 2035 Hackathons Generation Fryslân 2035 organizes youth-led hackathons to co-create innovative solutions for sustainable and livable futures in Friesland, driven entirely by young people.

(Potential) partners: Generation 2035, Vereniging Circulair Fryslân, Innovatiepact Fryslân, local youth networks Be (Sense of Belonging) Stadsreporters (City reporters) Stadsreporters is an online community platform where young people create content about topics relevant to their lives and their city. The project empowers young content creators to voice their perspectives and engage actively in community storytelling. At the moment a pilot is running. (Potential) partners: dBieb (Leeuwarden library), MICA/Mediahuis Noord (media group, publisher), FIRDA (secondary vocational education) and NHL-Stenden (university of applied sciences), Arcadia. Night Vision Night Vision is a collaboration of many young artistic collectives that offer cultural programs at night. Together they advocate for more inclusive nightlife policies in Leeuwarden, improving attractiveness and youth participation. In July 2025 a public night meeting will be held with the city council inviting them to start drafting a vision statement ‘for the night’ together. (Potential) partners: Leeuwarden night collective, Leeuwarden city council. The Playgrounds Creativity is the core concept, with pop-up locations focused on self-expression and wellbeing. Under the ethos Just. Be. Young., these safe spaces allow young people to share their talents through writing, music, theatre, dance, or other forms of expression.

Arts and culture are used to explore themes like mental and physical health, as well as climate justice. As "playgrounds," these spaces carry no pressure to perform—only freedom to play and explore. Some locations will be new, while others will build on existing spaces in Leeuwarden. (Potential) partners: Leeuwarden cultural sector and neighbourhood community centres. MOVE / SAVE International project that facilitates youth exchanges focusing on rural themes, promoting intercultural learning and rural vitality. Youth-led exchanges take place between our region and rural communities in Serbia, Lithuania, and Croatia. Project is running since 2022. Funded by Creative Europe and Erasmus+. (Potential) partners: Villages in Serbia, Lithuania, Croatia and Friesland. 37

Escher: New Perspectives Leeuwarden is the birthplace of world famous artist M.C. Escher. New Perspectives brings a fresh series of large murals to Leeuwarden, inviting young international and local artists under 28 to reimagine public spaces through street art inspired by Escher’s innovative visions. (Potential) partners: Writers Block, local and international artists. Creative Embassies Creative Embassies established an international network of youth-led creative hubs that foster talent exchange and artistic collaboration between Leeuwarden, Rijeka (Croatia), Salford (United Kingdom) and Faro (Portugal) and Kaunas (Lithuania). This project has been running since 2022. (Potential) partners: Glitch Collectief, Fluxus Labs!, Associação recreativa e cultural de músicos, Urbani separe, Walk the plank. Youth Festival The Groene Ster (green star) is a natural and recreational area just outside Leeuwarden, long known as the home of legendary outdoor festivals led by young people. These events came to a halt in 2020 due to legal restrictions, but since 2025, those barriers have been lifted. In response to a clear call from local youth to reclaim this space, Festival Groene Ster is making a comeback: a vibrant, youth-organised cultural festival that celebrates creativity, community, and the power of young initiative.

(Potential) partners: Local young cultural organisations, municipality of Leeuwarden, Arcadia Lake Woozoo Artist Hub Artist Hub is a mobile, physical space nurturing urban cultural talents. Run by young creatives, it offers training and artistic development opportunities to emerging artists. (Potential) partners: Lake Woozoo, urban cultural collectives Enter Summer School Enter Summer School offers an artistic summer school week, bringing together young talented creatives from Leeuwarden, Lviv, Nova Gorica, Chemnitz, and other EYC/ECoC cities. (Potential) partners: Lviv EYC 2025, Ghent EYC 2024, Nova Gorica ECoC 2025, Chemnitz ECoC 2025. Mobile youth hangouts Many under-18s express a clear need for informal hangout spaces in both city and village. This project responds by co-creating mobile, creative meeting spots with young people, involving artists or designers, making space for youth visibility and belonging. (Potential) partners: Local youth, designers, municipal planning departments, cultural organisations. Young (Vitality) Sidewalk All-Stars! Sidewalk All-Stars! is a dynamic street sports project where young people from villages and neighborhoods come together to form spontaneous, mixed teams. In open-air competitions across a range of sports and games, they play, connect and compete.

The project promotes social inclusion through playful, accessible, and community-driven activities. (Potential) partners: Sport Fryslân, local youth and sports organisations. Lift! A series of hitchhiking competitions across Europe (18+) and the region of Friesland (under 18), empowering young participants through adventurous experiences and fostering international connections. (Potential) partners: Stichting Doe maar!, European youth capitals and other partners in our European networks. 38

Over de Drempel young Over de Drempel initiates creative projects led by young makers, addressing loneliness through art and design, encouraging dialogue, and fostering community connections. This project started in 2021, for 20262028 it will focus on young people, makers and organizers. (Potential) partners: Over de Drempel, Municipality of Leeuwarden, Arcadia, many local cultural organisations. Broei! Broei! supports young cultural talent (12-24) through an annual talent development programme, offering training, mentoring, and public exposure during a major 2028 edition. (Potential) partners: Stichting Romte, many regional cultural organisations.

39

ANNEX 14: ACTIVITIES OF THE PARTNER PROGRAMME Example of the Partner Programme Working together – speaking together in Fryslân In the period November 2025 to July 2028 young newcomers receive an individual work placement of 12 to 20 weeks (always 60 working days) in which they are supported by a language coach and job coach. The project entails language courses within companies. It is a regional cooperation with other Frisian municipalities. 250 participants start a dual trajectory within sectors such as Retail, Cleaning, Hospitality, Security, Technology, Food Industry, Healthcare and Landscaping. Here they receive extra language guidance, job coaching and training and guidance aimed at cultural sensitivity for the employer and/or a language buddy from the employer's staff. The project focuses on at least 100 female participants and at least 100 participants younger than 28 years. The approach of this project helps young people to gain a position to shape their own future (equity). Background information What is the activity or plan that is organized within the framework of EYC? During or in connection with their integration, young people with a migration background improve their practical language skills, language level, employee skills and relevant professional skills in the Dutch work culture in a period of 20 weeks.

The young people have expanded their network and participation opportunities. After their language internship with an employer in the region, they receive a certificate and an up-to-date CV and together with the supervisor and employer they complete a career orientation. This gives them an improved chance of a start on the labour market and participation in Dutch society. Overarching results are: ● Employers have gained experience with the target group ● Connection between the municipal integration and participation policy How does the activity connect with the Leeuwarden EYC themes of Vitality, Sense of Belonging and Equity? With the language courses within companies approach, young people are given a central position to better shape their own future. To what extent have young people contributed to the plan? ● The young people decide together with their supervisor with which employer they want to do a language internship. They are also involved in drawing up their own career orientations. ● The young people themselves indicate the need to acquire more practical language skills during their integration. Does the activity or plan involve collaboration with other organisations from Leeuwarden, Friesland or the Netherlands Yes If yes, with which organisations? More than 100 regional employers from small and medium-sized businesses are affiliated with this project.

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ANNEX 15: COMMUNICATION MILESTONES & STRATEGY Communication milestones overview Period

Key action/ moment

Level

May 2025

Project500 launch, youth input session

Local

Summer 2025

Promo team campaign: “Youth on the Move”

Local/Regional

Sep 2025

National storytelling campaign: “Why Leeuwarden?”

National/Europe

Nov 2025

Final bid delivery – press, visual campaign

All levels

2026–2027

Youth-led lead-up campaigns, Europe-facing content

European

2028

EYC-year full activation: Just. Be. Young.

All levels

Communication strategy 2025 Leeuwarden for European Youth Capital 2028 This marketing and communication strategy supports the positioning of Leeuwarden as a finalist for European Youth Capital 2028. The strategy focuses on the main target groups, with specific communication approaches that align with their needs, preferences, and behaviour. 1. Sender The main sender of the communication is Leeuwarden European Youth Capital 2028 (LWD for EYC 2028). This is a project initiated by the municipality of Leeuwarden in collaboration with the core partners: Arcadia, Keunstwurk, and Tienskip. Depending on the target group, messages may also come from involved young people, municipal stakeholders, or European networks. In practice, the main sender, LWD for EYC 2028, will be clearly visible. Additionally, we use a sponsor bar with the logos of the core partners or a piece of text “this is a collaboration between …” at the bottom of our communications in which the core partners are mentioned. 2. Our goals ● Create awareness among all residents and organisations, with a focus on young people aged 12 to 27 within the municipality of Leeuwarden, about the candidacy of LWD for EYC 2028. ● Stimulate youth participation within the municipality of Leeuwarden in the process and programme. ● Increase support among local, national, and international stakeholders.

● Profile Leeuwarden as a progressive European city for and by young people. 3. Target groups Local target groups ⮚ Young people in the municipality of Leeuwarden Who are they? A diverse group between 12 and 27 years old, consisting of secondary school students, MBO, HBO, and university students, working youth, and young people without work/education. This group also includes young people from various cultural backgrounds, living both in the city of Leeuwarden and the 35 surrounding villages that belong to the municipality. 41

Where do we find them? ● Secondary schools in Leeuwarden, MBO schools Firda and Aeres, the HBOs NHL Stenden and Van Hall Larenstein, and Campus Fryslân (University of Groningen) ● Youth organisations such as Jimmy’s, youth centres, sports clubs, student and study associations ● Online: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, WhatsApp, Discord ● Physically: on the streets, in community centres, village halls, libraries, festivals, cafés, cinemas, parks, skateparks, etc. What drives them? ● Recognition and being taken seriously ● Space to think along, co-decide, and create themselves ● Connection with other young people ● Development, fun, and opportunities in their own region ● Visibility and making an impact Message “You make LWD for EYC 2028! Your voice, your ideas, your city/village/municipality. Own your spot!” Effect: Increasing engagement and participation.

⮚ Core partners Who are they? Art and cultural institutions with specific roles in the program: ● Arcadia: Curated Programme and part of the Partner Programme ● Keunstwurk: Open Programme and part of the Partner Programme ● Tienskip: Youth Participation and Programme on Democratic renewal Where do we find them? ● Project meetings ● Shared Slack/Teams channels ● Email ● Gatherings What drives them? ● Artistic quality and social relevance ● Truly putting young people in the lead ● Code Young ● Strengthening the cultural infrastructure ● Long-term impact Message “Your expertise and initiatives form the backbone of this project. Together we strengthen the impact on young people in our municipality.” Effect: Active collaboration and synergy between programmes. ⮚ Partners (organisations working with young people) Who are they? 42

These are organisations that work with young people. Think of dBieb, Amaryllis/Jimmy’s, VisitLeeuwarden, Leeuwarden Student City, Stadsklooster, educational institutions, MICA, sports clubs, venues, youth work, museums, local entrepreneurs. Where do you find them? ● Local networks ● Email ● Collaborations ● Community platforms ● Gatherings (monthly meet-up) What drives them? ● More engaged young people ● Strengthening the relevance of their organisation ● Visibility of activities ● Mutual cooperation and connection ● European opportunities Message “By collaborating with LWD for EYC 2028, you reach more young people and gain access to European networks and funding.” Effect: Expanding the network and strengthening initiatives. ⮚ Residents Who are they? A broad and diverse group: from parents and grandparents to employers, neighbours, sports coaches, teachers, entrepreneurs, retirees, and village associations. They live spread across the city and the 35 villages in the municipality of Leeuwarden. Some are actively involved in their community, others are more distant. What they share: the importance they attach to a liveable, safe, and attractive environment; now and in the future.

Where do we find them? ● Local media: weekly newspapers (door-to-door), radio and TV (Omrop Fryslân, GrootSneek) ● Online: Instagram, Facebook, and the website of the municipality of Leeuwarden ● Physically: on the streets, in community centres, village halls, libraries, festivals, cafés, cinemas What drives them? ● ● ● ● ●

Seeing young people do well Local pride and connection with neighbourhood or village Interest in how the municipality develops Desire to be heard and involved (also indirectly) Need for transparency and trust in the process

Message “Our young people are the future of the municipality. With ‘Claim Your Spot’ we give them a voice and a place in society. Will you help support, inspire, or connect them with opportunities?” Effect: Increasing support for youth initiatives, stimulating intergenerational contact, and more visibility of the youth programme in the broader society. 43

Regional target groups ⮚ Province Who are they? The province is a policy-making body with various departments relevant to this youth program: culture, liveability, youth participation, innovation, education, work & income. Deputies, policy advisors, and communication advisors are key players. The province looks at what contributes to the future of Fryslân, with attention to distribution, inclusivity, and sustainable development. Where do we find them? ● Administrative meetings and networks (e.g. Regio Deal, VNG Fryslân) ● Policy notes, memos, position papers ● Personal invitations to events ● Presentations during provincial committee meetings What drives them? ● A strong and attractive image of Fryslân ● Stimulating youth participation and talent development ● Regional distribution and cooperation between municipalities ● Policy goals around liveability, innovation, culture & youth ● Broad prosperity: future perspective for Frisian youth ● Cooperation and profiling at national and European level Message “With ‘Own Your Spot’, young people in Leeuwarden – and eventually throughout Fryslân – claim a voice and ownership. Working together on the future of our province. Join in, think along, and help us strengthen this movement.” Effect: (Co-)financing or policy support, potential scaling to other Frisian municipalities, and more opportunities for youth at the regional level.

Internal (political) target groups ⮚ Municipal civil servants Who are they? Employees of the municipality of Leeuwarden who are involved in policy, implementation, communication, and participation. They work in various domains such as youth, culture, communication, participation, education, social domain, physical domain, and Leeuwarden Oost. Where do we find them? ● City and town hall ● Internal meetings/project groups ● Intranet ● Welp ● Mailings ● Staff meetings What drives them? ● Reason for existence: good service to the residents of the municipality 44