ROTTERDAM, 29 February 2024 – A revitalised approach to social return in Rotterdam aims to create more job opportunities for those distant from the labour market. The city's enhanced strategy seeks to double the number of recognised social enterprises and significantly increase engagement from major organisations.

Revamped social return approach in Rotterdam

The city of Rotterdam has initiated an intensified strategy on social return, aiming to significantly impact job opportunities and developmental possibilities for individuals distanced from the employment market. This strategy focuses on doubling the number of acknowledged social enterprises and the participation of large organisations in utilising their purchasing power for social impact.

Alderman Versnel (Work & Income) emphasised the importance of making employment accessible to all Rotterdam residents, including those with disabilities or those currently without a suitable employment position. “Social return is an excellent tool to accelerate this process,” Versnel stated, highlighting the ambitious goals set by the city's updated policy.

Ambitious goals and innovative directions

To amplify its impact, the municipality is expanding collaborations and aiming to double the count of so-called 'anchor organisations' from 10 to 20. These organisations, which wield significant purchasing power, range from hospitals and housing corporations to educational institutions and utility companies. The goal is a more than threefold increase in the social return value they generate, aiming for a growth scenario from 7 to 25 million euros in social return outcomes. Furthermore, the city intends to double the number of recognised entrepreneurs from 50 to 100.

Expanding possibilities for contractors

The broadening of this approach allows contractors more flexibility in fulfilling their social return commitments. Employers offering permanent contracts to encourage sustainable reintegration into the workforce are rewarded, and there is greater scope for customised and creative solutions. Concurrently, stricter enforcement ensures the complete realisation of social return obligations, emphasising the priority of jobseekers' opportunities.

Creative implementation examples

The Rotterdam-based marketing communication agency 0to9 exemplifies the open interpretation of social return by hiring individuals on benefits. This initiative not only assists these individuals in finding employment but also addresses broader issues such as financial problems, loneliness, education, and legal assistance.

Robert Jan, Director of 0to9, expressed satisfaction with the expanded options for fulfilling social return requirements, noting the challenges of offering job positions within a high-professional environment and the benefits of providing broader support through their program for Rotterdam's Douwers.

Leading by example

Rotterdam stands as a national frontrunner in social return, with the city achieving over 35 million euros in social return results in 2023, aiding 3000 individuals in finding employment. The city's ambitious goal is to reduce the number of residents on welfare benefits to 30,000 by the end of the current city council's term. This new approach to social return is pivotal in reaching this objective, complemented by active collaboration with the 15 municipalities in the Rijnmond labour market region and the adoption of updated regional social return policies.

ROTTERDAM, 29 February 2024 – Verra Makelaars, a prominent real estate company, embarks on a strategic expansion with the opening of its third office in Hillegersberg, underlining its commitment to enhancing services in Rotterdam's vibrant districts.

Verra Makelaars opens new office in Hillegersberg

On 1 March 2024, Verra Makelaars is set to open the doors of its new branch in the Rotterdam district of Hillegersberg, indicating a significant step in the company's expansion. Located on the picturesque Weissenbruchlaan, within the lively shopping area of Hillegersberg, the new office's strategic location is poised to efficiently cover an essential part of its service area. Its proximity to the International School in Hillegersberg, frequented by many of its (expat) clients, highlights the chosen location's strategic importance.

Martijn van der Laan, co-owner of Verra Makelaars, expressed, “This expansion is expected to strengthen our presence in the region, creating opportunities to widen our service offering in Rotterdam. It forms part of our continuous effort to expand our services, thereby fully supporting our clients from the initial to the final phase.”

The new office: a gateway to comprehensive real estate services

Originally established as a leasing agency for expatriates, over 15 years, Verra Makelaars has evolved into a distinguished real estate expert, catering to both rental and sales sectors. The opening of the new office signifies the company's approachability, inviting everyone for advice every Saturday. “Our aim is to broaden our knowledge dissemination to a larger audience, responding to the extensive inquiries about the rapidly changing real estate market. Anyone seeking substantial advice or just wishing for a friendly conversation over a cup of coffee is warmly welcomed,” mentioned Niek Verra, co-owner.

Tackling challenges in the real estate market

Through sharing insights via lectures and knowledge sessions, Verra Makelaars aims not only to assist its clients in making well-informed decisions but also to educate a wider community about the real estate sector's challenges. “We believe that the current challenges in the real estate market can only be addressed through constructive cooperation between politics, real estate investors, and professionals. Maintaining open communication, sharing knowledge, and working collectively are crucial for substantive change,” Niek Verra added.

ROTTERDAM, 23 March 2024 – The iconic Baroeg, Rotterdam's oldest live music venue known for its (hard) alternative music scene, is set to undergo a transformation. A partnership between the city, artists, and fans promises a future-ready establishment.

Baroeg's redevelopment

In a significant move for Rotterdam's cultural landscape, the existing building of Baroeg, the city's oldest venue for (hard) alternative music, is slated for demolition and reconstruction. The project, supported by the municipality of Rotterdam, artists, and patrons, aims at modernizing the venue for future demands. Diederendirrix, an architecture and urban planning firm, has been selected through a tender process to design and further develop the new structure.

A historic venue

Since its inception in 1981, Baroeg has been a bastion for (hard) alternative music, garnering national and international recognition. As a platform for both established and emerging talent, Baroeg celebrates its 43rd anniversary this year, securing its place as Rotterdam's most venerable live music venue. Additionally, it has been designated as Cultural Rotterdam Heritage.

Audience dancing enthusiastically at Baroeg. Photo credit: GWMP.

A vision for the future

The current facility, owned by the city and originally designed as a youth center rather than a music venue, no longer meets the demands of the times. The forthcoming building will feature an upgraded concert hall and improved facilities, including a larger backstage area for artists and enhanced office spaces, designed to welcome both performers and visitors alike. The completion of the new premises will enable Baroeg to enhance its mission: to entertain, unite like-minded individuals, and foster talent, while preserving its unique 'living room' atmosphere.

Timetable for renewal

Demolition is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2024, with the grand opening of the new venue anticipated in the fall of 2025. During the interim, Baroeg will host performances at various locations throughout the city, including V11, Maassilo, Podium Grounds, Rotown, SoundVille, and the annual Baroeg Open Air festival in Zuiderpark.

Artist impression of the new Baroeg. Photo credit: Diederendirrix

Farewell to the old, welcome to the new

To bid farewell to its current home, Baroeg is curating a diverse program in March and April, offering fans of every genre a chance to say goodbye. Highlights include the return of Toontje Lager, and the final editions of Festerfest, Downward Spiral, Submit Fest, and Live Hard Or Die fest, culminating in a weekend of celebrations in late April.

Baroeg on tour

From May onwards, 'Baroeg On Tour' will see the venue programming events in other Rotterdam locales, featuring a range of international acts from the dreampop, stoner, doom, and death metal genres.

For tickets and further information, please visit Baroeg's official website: www.baroeg.nl, which also includes details on the temporary relocation during the construction period.

Directions to Baroeg

ROTTERDAM, 15 February 2024 – A new chapter unfolds in Rotterdam's innovative landscape as 25 plans receive a boost from CityLab010.

CityLab010 supports Rotterdam initiatives with €1 million

In an effort to foster innovation within Rotterdam, CityLab010, an initiative by the municipality, has provided financial backing to 25 pioneering projects aimed at enhancing the city's vitality. This marks the 9th iteration of the program, which saw over 117 proposals submitted, demonstrating the city's continuous drive towards innovative development.

An independent City Jury selected the final 25 initiatives to receive a collective starting budget of €1 million. This decision underlines Rotterdam's commitment to innovative urban transformation and community-driven projects.

Remarks from the city councillor

Councillor Robert Simons expressed enthusiasm for the city's vibrant innovation scene, highlighted by the latest edition of CityLab010. “The array of innovative plans showcases Rotterdam's dynamism and collective ambition to build a stronger city,” stated Simons. He further encouraged Rotterdam's residents to engage with the initiative, inspiring further contributions to the city's development.

Announcement of 2023 funding

The 2023 start-up budgets were officially announced at OASE, a former CityLab010 participant, by Councillor Robert Simons along with René Bouwmeester and Tania Bhulai from the City Jury. The announcement spotlighted the variety of creative and original initiatives, many addressing current societal issues, furthering CityLab010's goal to empower project initiators with knowledge, advice, networking opportunities, and potential funding.

Highlighted among the funded initiatives are Tide Watches, which repurposes Rotterdam's plastic waste into unique watches in collaboration with their customers, and YoungUP, a social employment agency aimed at assisting those facing employment barriers.

For detailed insights into all initiatives receiving start-up funding in the 2023 round, interested parties are encouraged to check out the full jury report.

Looking ahead: CityLab010's 2024 round

With Councillor Robert Simons overseeing the domains of Port, Economy, Hospitality, and Governance (districts and small communities), CityLab010 is poised for another round of applications in 2024, promising new opportunities for innovative project initiators.

About CityLab010

Since its inception in 2015, CityLab010 has supported over 200 innovative projects contributing to making Rotterdam a more enjoyable, beautiful, greener, more social, safer, and stronger city, with a total investment surpassing €30 million. This program underscores the municipality's commitment to societal advancement through support in knowledge, coaching, networking, and financial grants up to €50,000.