EUKN - Netherlands - Rotterdam: Benefits for Kids brings out the best in children

Rotterdam: Benefits for Kids brings out the best in children

Introduction

The proposition that society needs all the available talent is the basis for this project. For some (immigrant) children, their talents are being insufficiently developed, often due to an unfavourable home situation. For these children, the ‘Benefits for Kids’ project allows them to discover their talents and develop their opportunities.

Problem

The aim of the project is to overcome the educational and social disadvantages of (immigrant) children. The intention is to develop the self-confidence and social skills of the children more effectively and to improve their achievements at school.

Description

Every week there is two hours of contact between the children and a mentor from the commercial sector, for homework, sport and games. The children also take part in information programmes at sports clubs and recreational organisations. The companies where the mentors work provide (group) excursions, as well as holiday work, work experience and trainee positions during the summer months.

Approach

The spearheads within the Rotterdam programme document are:

Integrated approach of youth problems (family, education, leisure time, work).
Investments in culture and economy; the Cultural world district.
Complete improvement of the quality of the outdoors area in the territory.
Economisal-recreative (re-)development of the Rotte and its surroundings.
Participation of inhabitants and entrepreneurs with the driving Thea terras.

Results

The project is trying to reach a total of 108 children between the ages of nine and 14. The project is intended to lead to an improvement in school work and behaviour, an improvement in the motivation and increased and more constructive social contacts. The children also work on their own abilities and on developing a positive view of their future prospects.

EU involvement

URBAN II is an initiative of the European Commission. The aim is to support innovative projects in the field of urban regeneration in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The URBAN II projects will set an example for national urban policy. In the Netherlands, areas in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Heerlen have been allocated for the period 2000-2006. In Rotterdam URBAN II attention is directed at three neighbourhoods in 'Noord aan de Rotte', with a total of almost 30,000 inhabitants.

Financing

European subsidy: € 122.520
Total cost: € 438.395

Contact info

The local programme management, tel. +31 10 4667667

Project start date

01/09/2001

Planned end date

30/09/2004

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Integration of social groups

Keywords

Young people