Previously used annexes_Bid 2_Second Application Form EYC2028 Leeuwarden

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Coherence between policy and implementation Efficient communication and engagement Clear frameworks and concrete objectives

Message “Young residents are the future of our city and villages. Your expertise helps to secure this title and create lasting impact.” Effect: Creating support and active involvement within the municipality. ⮚ Municipal council Who are they? Elected representatives of the municipality. Important: different political colours and interests, but shared responsibility for the well-being and development of the municipality of Leeuwarden. Where do you find them? ● Council meetings ● Newsletters, council information letters ● Working visits ● Gatherings ● Local media ● Via the council clerk What drives them? ● Representation of the people ● Results that are visible and measurable ● Equal opportunities for city and villages ● Participation of residents, especially young people ● Alignment with municipal tasks ● International profile of Leeuwarden Message “LWD for EYC 2028 builds on democratic renewal, so that the villages and city are also a good place for new generations. This is an opportunity to sustainably anchor youth participation and community development.” Effect: Support for policy choices and funding. ⮚ Executive board (college) Who are they? The executive board of mayor and aldermen governs the municipality of Leeuwarden and is responsible for daily administration.

They represent various portfolios, such as youth, culture, education, welfare, economy, and European cooperation. The executive board, together with the municipal council, forms the political and administrative top of the municipality. Where do you find them? ● During executive meetings, council gatherings, and communication consultations ● At administrative working visits, events, and official occasions ● Via internal communication channels of the municipality (memos, weekly reports) ● Via political networks, media appearances, and regional administrative meetings 45

What drives them? ● The administrative and social success of the municipality of Leeuwarden ● Equal opportunities for city and villages ● Visible impact and results for their policy area ● Innovation, liveability, and citizen engagement ● Positioning of Leeuwarden as a European model city (international profile) ● Broad support from society and the municipal council ● Positive publicity and opportunities for re-election or career advancement Message “With LWD for EYC 2028 we show that Leeuwarden takes young people seriously. We are building a sustainable youth structure, increasing the visibility of our municipality in Europe, and delivering social added value on a local scale. This is an investment in the future of Leeuwarden.” Effect: The executive board feels ownership and sees the project as an opportunity to connect policy and social impact.

National target groups ⮚ Dutch National Youth Council Who are they? ● National Youth Council (NJR) ● Coalition-Y ● NJR’s youth panels and think tanks ● Diversity organisations, JongWijs, Diversion ● Student unions, MBO/HBO/WO councils with youth councils Where do you find them? ● Youth gatherings, panels, congresses ● Social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) ● Networking events ● National campaigns What drives them? ● Youth having a say about their future ● Strengthening the voice of young people in policy and society ● Inclusivity and diversity in youth programs ● Opportunities for collaboration, national visibility Message “Youth participation is central to us. Together we can show how young people can take control when it comes to the future of their living environment.” Effect: Strengthening national collaborations and recognition. ⮚ Ministries Who are they? ● Ministries ● Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands ● Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) 46

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Regional ambassadors of the national government National Programme for Liveability and Safety

Where do we find them? ● Policy conferences, networking events ● LinkedIn ● Newsletters ● Working visits ● Media ● Parliamentary questions ● Pilots and subsidies What drives them? ● Innovative examples from the region ● Effective youth participation and empowerment ● Tackling youth poverty, equal opportunities, mental health ● Transferable methods (that can be used elsewhere) ● Synergy between local policy and national challenges Message “LWD for EYC 2028 aligns with policy goals around youth and participation. This is an opportunity to position the Netherlands internationally as a frontrunner in youth policy.” Effect: Political and financial support. European target groups ⮚ Jury of the European Youth Capital Award Who are they? ● Jury of the European Youth Forum ● Cities that previously held the title (e.g. Tirana 2022) ● International youth platforms, EU networks Where do we find them? ● Online, via EYC platforms, international conferences ● LinkedIn, websites, youth fora What drives them? ● Innovation in youth policy ● European cooperation ● European values: inclusion, democracy, solidarity ● International exchange and best practices ● Visibility of the city at the European level Message “Leeuwarden is the city where young people shape the future.

We offer an innovative, inclusive, and sustainable approach that truly puts young people at the centre.” Effect: Increasing the chance of being awarded the title. ⮚ European policymakers 47

Who are they? ● EU institutions: European Commission (DG EAC), Erasmus+ agency ● Members of the European Parliament (NL and EU-wide) ● European urban policy (Urban Agenda for the EU) Where do we find them? ● European meetings ● LinkedIn ● Policy notes ● Media ● Erasmus+ platforms and project portals What drives them? ● Innovation in youth participation ● European values: inclusion, democracy, solidarity ● Good best practices that are scalable within the EU ● International visibility and diplomacy of cities Message “LWD for EYC 2028 is a platform for international cooperation and knowledge exchange. Join us and help build a European youth movement.” Effect: Strengthening international collaborations.

5. Media mix We use a mix of online and offline communication channels to effectively reach the target groups. Young people ● Our website: LWDforEYC.nl ● Social media: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn (for working youth) ● Ads ● Organic content ● Physical events and pop-up activations (e.g. on campus) ● Interactive workshops ● Participation moments ● Collaborations with influencers and role models ● Interactive platforms (e.g. Discord, community apps) ● Physical materials: posters, stickers, and buttons ● Narrowcasting in educational institutions and other (public) places where young people can be found ● Podcasts Municipal stakeholders ● Intranet, De Welp, and internal narrowcasting ● Information meetings ● Policy notes ● Council meetings ● LinkedIn updates ● Newsletter 48

Partners (national and European) ● Our website: LWDforEYC.nl ● Networking events and conferences ● LinkedIn ● Press releases ● Reports ● Direct outreach and collaboration proposals ● Newsletter ● Direct mails ● Aldermen 6. Objectives ⮚ Young People Objective: Each year, reach at least 60% of young people (aged 12–27) within the municipality of Leeuwarden at one or more moments with communication about LWD for EYC 2028 via online, offline, or interpersonal channels. Effect: Young people in the city and surrounding villages feel heard and actively involved in developments within the municipality. The reach is monitored annually through a combination of social media statistics, participation in events, website visits, and distribution numbers of offline materials. This way, we continue to steer visibility in all villages and neighbourhoods. ⮚ Municipal stakeholders Objective: By 2028, all municipal projects use Code Young as the standard for youth participation. Effect: Support within the municipality of Leeuwarden and integration into policy development. ⮚ Partners Objective: Each year, the number of (inter)national collaborations with organisations working with young people grows by 10–15%. Effect: Sustainable cooperation and network expansion for young people now and in the future.

⮚ European level Objective: Positive evaluation by the jury of the European Youth Capital in November 2025. Effect: Strengthened profiling of Leeuwarden as a youth city in Europe.

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ANNEX 16: EXAMPLES OF COMMUNICATION

In three languages: Frisian, English and Dutch

To make LWD for EYC 2028 more visible

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To be displayed at for instance schools, where we reach a lot of young people

Social media adds to invite young people to share their ideas and participate

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Flyers and posters specifically for Project500, so organisations who work with young people can share this

Roll-up banners to be extra visible during events, such as the Tienskip days and festivals 52

Social media posts to share stories of young people, keep them informed and engage to participate

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Flyers for decision makers to support our bid

Photoshoot with young people who were very involved with LWD for EYC 2028

The website especially designed for LWD for EYC 2028 to build the community

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ANNEX 17: BREAKDOWN OF THE LWD for EYC 2028 PREPARATION PHASES Stages in the preparation process leading to the EYC Phase

Goal

Content

Phase 1: Exploration ground – test, engage, and learn (Q1 – Q3 2026)

This phase focuses on experimenting and exploring new ideas and approaches for youth participation. We will test concepts and collaborate with young people to assess the effectiveness of various models and initiatives.

Testing: we start with pilot projects to test our Code Young in practice. [concrete project to be defined, most likely a former primary school that will be rebuild into apartments with the input from youth participation]

Scaling and expanding the programme. It emphasizes growing youth engagement, involving more young people, and showcasing the results and successes of earlier pilots.

Growing: we scale successful initiatives that came to life with Project500 to new areas, communities, or target groups. The programme is introduced more broadly, and its structure begins to solidify.

Phase 2: Activation & expansion – grow, involve, and showcase (Q4 2026 – Q1 2027)

Engaging: young people are participants and active cocreators who contribute their ideas and feedback to shape the process according to our hourglass participation methodology (Code Young).

Learning: we learn from the results, what works and what doesn’t. These insights will form the foundation for refining and improving the programme moving forward.

Involving: we expand youth involvement and encourage young people to share their experiences and knowledge with others – even across borders. This can be done through events, workshops, or campaigns that attract new participants. We create room for young people to come up with their own ideas to share their experiences and knowledge. Showcasing: we showcase the successes of the initiatives both internally and externally. The goal is to demonstrate that the experiments have produced valuable outcomes and are ready for broader application.

Phase 3: Integration & sustainability – embed, and formalise (Q2 – Q3 2027)

The programme becomes fully integrated into existing structures, and the focus shifts

Embedding: the programme becomes officially incorporated into policy structures, local communities, or other relevant systems. This means the optimized version of Code Young is embedded in daily practices and decision-making processes.

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Stages in the preparation process leading to the EYC to ensuring its longterm sustainability.

Formalizing: the programme is transformed into standard practices and procedures that are not only confined to the initial context but can also be adopted elsewhere. Guidelines, training modules, and policy recommendations are developed to scale the model. Preparation: all necessary logistical and technical steps will be taken to prepare the events that are part of the programme (based on the role division of the core partners 🡪 see chapter Management). Special attention will be given to logistics on travel and stay for (inter)national guests, events and projects.

Phase 4: Building expectations with the general public and last preparations (Q4 2027)

Almost everyone in Leeuwarden & Fryslân knows that the programme of Leeuwarden as EYC 2028 kicks off a terrific year full of events, aiming for structural changes for our young people. And quite a few people in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe are aware of the fact that Leeuwarden is EYC 2028.

A target group oriented communication- and marketingcampaign is implemented to build on name recognition for Leeuwarden EYC 2028. Initiatives by young people within the Open Programme, the Partner Programme and the Curated Programme are used for a story-telling-campaign.

100 days for the opening event the EYC 2028-programme is launched in Leeuwarden and actively pushed in the communication- and marketing campaign in Europe.

Last preparations on programme and organisation are done to successfully kick off the year early 2028 and to safeguard that during the busy year 2028 itself the programme will run smoothly.

Key steps in kick-off and implementation plan of EYC Phase

Description

Phase 1: Exploration Ground — Test, Engage, and Learn (Q1 – Q3 2026)

Broad intake & inspiration

Invite young people into institutional processes early.

Recognise youth as co-owners in democratic development, not just stakeholders.

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Key steps in kick-off and implementation plan of EYC Co-creation of prototypes

Develop inclusive, less hierarchical governance models (e.g., youth assemblies, participatory budgeting). Shift the mindset from consultation to shared power.

Pilot testing

Launch pilots to surface institutional barriers (e.g. bureaucracy, tokenism, formal language). Encourage institutions to share decision-making space with youth.

Feedback & learning

Collect and analyse insights from pilots, both successes and points of friction. Start adapting practices to address systemic exclusion of youth. Keep the city council informed to ensure alignment with long-term strategic goals.

Activation & Refining the expansion – grow, approach involve, and showcase Scaling & outreach (Q4 2026 – Q1 2027)

Apply learnings from pilots to update policies and engagement strategies (e.g., stipends, informal pathways). Integrate youth participation into policy cycles and planning frameworks. Share decision-making power on structural issues.

Capacity building1, 2

Train not only the youth, but also the civil servants, politicians, and professionals in democratic innovation. Organise meet-ups and community-building activities to amplify youth-led initiatives.

Showcasing & visibility

Highlight success stories to build public trust and institutional motivation.

Use storytelling and media to generate momentum for broader change. Integration & sustainability – embed, and formalise (Q2 – Q3 2027)

Policy integration

Embed youth participation into legal and policy frameworks.

Adapt governance structures for permanent youth representation.

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Key steps in kick-off and implementation plan of EYC Institutional embedding

Establish new roles and structures (e.g. youth ombudsperson, advisory councils). Ensure mechanisms for accountability and responsiveness.

Knowledge sharing & legacy

Institutionalise reflection, documentation, and iterative learning. Promote ongoing critical engagement with power dynamics and inclusivity.

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ANNEX 18: YOUTH PARTICIPATION BETWEEN APPLICATION 1 AND 2 Subject

Topic

Target group Date Firda student (16-20 Tienskipdag Gathering input for bid years) February 3rd Meet-up organisations organisations working working with young people Inspiration session on EYC with young people February 3rd Celebration with the On sending in our first community application LWD Next community February 26th Meet-up with student Boards of student associations Inspiration session on EYC associations March 10th Sportcafé Inspiration session on EYC Sports clubs March 20th Comenius Mariënburg Tienskipdag Gathering input for bid students (16 years) April 2nd Meet-up with student Boards of student associations Gathering input for bid associations April 7th Meet-up organisations Connecting and ideas for organisations working working with young people activities and EYC-program with young people April 7th Firda students (16-20 Tienskipdag Gathering input for bid years) April 17th Meeting with Nationale Exploratory talk on Jeugdraad cooperation NJR April 24th Girls Festival (Amaryllis) Gathering input for bid 12 year old girls April 30th Aeres mbo students Tienskipdag Gathering input for bid (16-20 years) May 6th Share ideas and claim €500 Launch Project500 microbudget Young people May 13th Meet-up with student Boards of student associations Gathering input for bid associations May 12th Meet-up organisations European opportunities and organisations working working with

young people collaborations with young people May 13th Enhancing bid 1 with new Start of the new editor input May 19th Students public Inspiration session on EYC administration & Guest lecture + gathering input European Studies May 23rd Training to promote LWD Kick-off promoteam LWD for EYC 2028 to other Promoteam (14 - 22 for EYC 2028 youngsters years old) May 28th Informal city council Updating city council on bid meeting 2 so far June 2nd Developing programme Co-creation session with Young people (12 components young people 27) June 3rd Meet-up organisations Leeuwarder youth organisations working working with young people participation with young people June 3rd Young people (during Checking programme Support base check with a an organized moment components larger group and online) June 10th

Attendees 288 10 30 20 26 100 24 20 420 7 44 50 7 20 30 1

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4 20 10 20

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Youth visit to Parma (EYC2027)

Exchanging best practices on youth

Youth visit to Lublin (EYC2023)

Exchanging best practices on youth

Young people under guidance of a project employee Young people under guidance of a project employee

June 19 - 21th 3

July 4th - 7th

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