Brabantse
Jongerentop 2022
The work was carried out by Zet (wijzijnzet.nl), where I was employed from 2022 to 2023. On this page, I describe the project and my role.
Zet, commissioned by the Province of North Brabant, organised the Brabantse Jongerentop 2022. The Brabantse Jongerentop serves as a platform for young people from across Brabant to discuss and engage with issues they consider important. This initiative ensures that youth participation in Brabant is taken seriously and receives the attention it deserves.
Zet creates engaging interventions to collect input from young people in an accessible way. We provide a space for them to express their opinions uniquely, ensuring that every voice is heard. Additionally, we facilitate meetings and collaborate with policymakers to prepare these sessions, ensuring that young people's feedback is genuinely integrated into the decision-making process.
Jongerentop 2022
On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Zet, on behalf of the Province of North Brabant, organised the second Brabant Jongerentop at the Tilburg Cultuurfabriek Hall of Fame. Over 140 participants worked on important themes they brought forth: Youth Participation, Housing, Environment (air quality) and Nature. The young participants captured all advice, ideas, and solutions in various forms - in writing, through rap, or via mind mapping.
"It's a delightful event where you directly engage in conversations with people from the province, and your voice is truly heard! On top of that, you get to meet motivated peers with whom you can network. A win-win situation" // Brabant youth
We witnessed a diverse group of engaged young people aged 17 to 27, hailing from larger Brabant cities or smaller remote villages. Some came with a political agenda, while others were deeply involved (or concerned) about finding suitable housing, especially if you still need to become an insider in the housing market. What does it mean for you if improving air quality implies reduced air travel or the cessation of wood burning? Recording all ideas and advice is crucial. Deputy Hagar Roijackers (Water, Nature, and Area-based Approach) also emphasises, "We will act on the outcomes of the evening as a college."
Role
In organizing the Jongerentop 2022, I was responsible for overseeing the participation elements on the large boards. There were six participation boards that offered various ways for attendees to engage with topics that mattered to them. They could write their thoughts, affix stickers to a chart, vote by placing stickers, express their opinions by dropping them into a mailbox, and more. This playful approach made it enjoyable, stimulating, and interactive for participants to voice their opinions on complex subjects.
