The province of Drenthe declared that a popular youth programme is set to return this summer. According to the announcement, the programme will feature a wide variety of activities available across the entire region, much like in the previous two years.
This year’s programme, which the province describes as “for the youth, by the youth”, was the result of a flash poll distributed among young people aged 12-25 by CMO STAMM, an agency which acts as a ‘knowledge centre’ for social and cultural issues in Drenthe and Groningen.
“For two summers there have been beautiful activities organised for and by the youth, based around sport, culture and wellness. A wonderful result, which didn’t only lead to the social contact that we have so dearly missed, but also nurtured a new sense of collaboration amongst parties in Drenthe,” says Hans Kuipers, a member of the Gedeputeerde Staten (GS), or provincial council, in Drenthe.
The survey taken by 833 youths in Drenthe found that over a third of the participants felt that there was not enough to do in the summer. Sporting and social events were among the most highly requested activities, according to the responses of the survey participants.
“Social life has been all but locked down the last two years because of corona. Everybody has been affected, but the youths have had an especially difficult time. Youths had to learn digitally and could barely do any sports or meet with friends,” says the Provincie Drenthe.
The province is betting on the new summer programme as a means to support teens and young people all across the region.
Check out our previous reportage from 2020 on this topic.
