Zoom-in 3: Elevating youth participation in North Tilburg

Born and raised in North Tilburg, Hassiba and Shaafa are experts of their own neighbourhood, seeing the problems and also advancements of the area. They know which bus lines are always late and where criminal activities are getting worse. But above all: they are passionate about their neighbourhood and they want to see it flourish. This is how they got involved with Noordvoerders, a youth participation initiative which has evolved from ForwArt project. In this podcast Shaafa and Hassiba are telling their stories how they got involved in coordinating youth participation in North Tilburg and they are giving advises to other municipalities and cities how to engage youth in policy making.

At the core of Noordvoerders' mission is the belief that youth participation should be more than just a checkbox on a list of community initiatives. It requires genuine partnership and a commitment to taking young people's opinions seriously. By involving youth early in the decision-making process and compensating them for their contributions, Noordvoerders is setting a new standard for youth engagement in Tilburg North.

For those considering joining the ranks of Noordvoerders, passion and commitment are key prerequisites. Applicants are encouraged to bring their unique perspectives and networks to the table, contributing to a diverse and inclusive team dedicated to youth empowerment. Through their involvement in Noordvoerders, individuals gain firsthand insights into community development and forge meaningful connections with their neighbours.

For many involved in Noordvoerders, the experience has been transformative, providing them with a deeper understanding of their community and their own potential to effect change. As they continue their journey with Noordvoerders, they are not only shaping the future of North Tilburg but also discovering new passions and aspirations along the way.

As the roles of Noordvoerders continues to grow and evolve, its impact on the North Tilburg community is becoming increasingly evident. By amplifying the voices of young people and fostering collaboration between youth and local authorities, the initiative is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and vibrant neighborhood. Through ongoing efforts to engage and empower youth, Noordvoerders is proving that when young people are given the opportunity to lead, positive change can flourish.

Here are some of the advise to other municipalities from Hassiba and Saafa:

• First and foremost, municipalities must approach youth participation with a commitment to fairness and equality. Youth should be treated as partners, not mere participants, in the decision-making process. Opinions and insights of the youth should be valued and taken seriously, rather than tokenized or dismissed.
• When seeking input from youth, municipalities must be genuine in their approach. Simply asking for feedback without any intention of incorporating it into decision-making processes is counterproductive. It's essential for municipalities to actively listen to youth voices and incorporate their perspectives into planning and policy development.
• To maximize the impact of youth participation, municipalities should involve young people early in the planning process, rather than waiting until decisions have already been made. By including youth from the outset, municipalities can benefit from fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that may not have been considered otherwise.
• Youth are so much exploited, asked to do so much for little: you must pay for the youth for their work, for their commitment for their opinion and coordination work.

My guests in this podcast are

• Safaa Bouzambou, youth participation coordinator
• Hassiba Lhajoui, youth participation coordinator 

The podcast was created on the premises and with the help of ForwArt partner Omroep Tilburg