EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Children work to build better neighbourhoods in a creative manner

Children work to build better neighbourhoods in a creative manner

Problem

How do you get neighbourhood residents, especially children, to feel involved in their own neighbourhood and to actively participate in neighbourhood projects while developing themselves?

Description

The 'De Bakkerij' Foundation goes into neighbourhoods to work on creating better living environments through a decisive, creative and positive approach. Their 'KIWI-method' (the Dutch acronym for 'Child in the Neighbourhood') is based on a social intervention that involves mobilising the entire neighbourhood to improve the living environment. The many different projects are based on the creative ideas of the neighbourhood children themselves, with help from professionals. Municipal governments and housing corporations provide the funding for the projects, and De Bakkerij acts as director and liaison.

Approach

In the KIWI programme, De Bakkerij starts with a study in the neighbourhood. Together with local elementary school students, De Bakkerij examines specific bottlenecks in the neighbourhood. The children then receive lessons on how to use their ideas to deal with these problems. Important secondary goals in this involve stimulating their feeling of self-worth, creativity and involvement in the neighbourhood. In this phase, De Bakkerij works together with an artist to assist the children in presenting the results of their neighbourhood study in the form of a work of art, such as 'Land of Overvecht' or 'The Biggest Book in Slotervaart' (see the De Bakkerij website at the link below).

After a debate between the children, parents and neighbourhood professionals, De Bakkerij translates the problems most mentioned and shared by the most people into three concrete projects per KIWI programme. These projects differ per programme, but always involve creative and intelligent projects that can be completed in a short time. Some examples of these projects include the 'PowerBike', 'PorchPorters' or 'Boxgang Makeover' (see the Appendix 'De Bakkerij example projects', at the link below). All of the projects are small-scale but remarkable and results-oriented, and can give the neighbourhood a little bit of positive momentum.

In the realisation of these projects, De Bakkerij works in close consultation with neighbourhood residents and professionals in order to guarantee that successful projects are continued in the long term.

Results

Involve children more in their neighbourhood and make them more conscious of their behaviour in public;
The KIWI programme helps the participating children to develop social and creative competencies;
KIWI reinforces the link between the school and the neighbourhood (Integrated Community School concept);
More understanding between the children and adults in the neighbourhood;
Three visible improvements and/or positive initiatives in the neighbourhood after the completion of the project;
Professionals from various organisations co-operate based on the children's ideas.

Learning experiences

You can reach the children best through their school. It is more pleasant to work with them through their school, especially with those 'delinquent' children who are more of a nuisance outside of school;
When you have the school execute a project involving the neighbourhood, you can also reach the parents regarding this subject;
Approach the young people in the neighbourhood based on their strengths and talents, instead of the problems that they may sometimes cause;
Dare to take the roads less travelled, and to take action instead of waiting for the bureaucracy;
You can make the professionals more enthusiastic about participation by working through the children;
Ensure that there is management commitment for the project in the neighbourhood, to guarantee that the project will be maintained long after completion.

Resources used

Co-operative partners:

Municipalities
Welfare organisations
Housing corporations
Elementary schools

Financing

A KIWI programme for one year costs €100,000. Shorter programmes are also possible.

Contact info

De Bakkerij Foundation
The Netherlands
Ester Heiman (Projectleader), tel. 0031 20 4277007 or 0031 6 17330284

Project start date

01/11/2006

Links

More information on De Bakkerij Foundation (in Dutch only)

Click here for example projects of the De Bakkerij KIWI programme (in Dutch only, PDF, 830KB) Nederlands

Click here for an overview sheet of the KIWI programme (in Dutch only, PDF, 354KB) Nederlands

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Social inclusion & integration

Institutional characteristics
Foundation