ROTTERDAM, 4 December 2024 – The Rijnmond Labour Market Perspective Fund (Rijnmonds Arbeidsmarkt Perspectieffonds, RAP) has facilitated employment for 854 individuals in its first year. The fund, aimed at addressing persistent labour shortages, has supported 18 projects targeting sustainable employment and job retention in vital sectors such as technology, ICT, logistics, healthcare, and education.

Employers supported through co-financing

The RAP offers co-financing to employers, enabling them to implement projects focused on creating lasting employment opportunities. With ongoing staff shortages in socially crucial sectors, the initiative aims to provide innovative solutions for businesses while tackling broader societal challenges.

Tim Versnel, Rotterdam alderman for Work and Income, stressed the urgency of action: “Now is the time to act, before we face significant problems in socially critical sectors. Employers need to rethink recruitment strategies. Through RAP, we provide tools to address their workforce issues and contribute to societal challenges. Additionally, many Rotterdammers who are currently unemployed possess valuable skills that can help fill the region’s 30,000 job vacancies. This pragmatic approach creates opportunities for both employers and employees.”

Call to action for employers

Employers already participating in the RAP have praised its efficient processes, short lead times, and minimal administrative requirements. The fund targets sectors essential to society and the economy. Businesses interested in investing in innovative workforce solutions are encouraged to submit their proposals to the Rijnmond Work Centre (Werkcentrum Rijnmond).

Examples of RAP-supported initiatives

Local businesses have successfully leveraged the RAP to address their workforce challenges while offering opportunities to jobseekers:

• CityTec, a construction company, has used RAP funding to train 50 new technicians. Operational Director Erwin Kamp highlighted the importance of broadening recruitment efforts: “Our workforce is ageing, with many set to retire soon. We focus on individuals with a distance from the labour market, such as refugees and former prisoners. There’s remarkable talent out there, and we’re often surprised by what people can achieve.”

• Cedrah, in collaboration with RST Zorgverleners, Salem Ridderkerk, and the Hoornbeeck College, developed a training programme for career changers pursuing qualifications as Healthcare Assistants (Verzorgende IG). Wilma Broer – van de Ruitenbeek, a practical trainer at Salem, noted the programme’s success: “We need more people in healthcare, so we created a pathway that leverages skills from other industries. Recently, a former skipper joined the programme. It was an adjustment for him, but he’s now thriving.”

ROTTERDAM, 28 November 2024 – The Municipality of Rotterdam has introduced a new programme to help young people facing severe debt. The initiative, called "Youth and Debt" (Jongeren en Schulden, JES), is specifically designed for individuals aged 18-26 who are burdened with problematic debt and limited repayment capacity.

A pathway to a debt-free future

The JES programme offers an 18-month support plan focused on personal development instead of direct financial repayment. Participants are required to achieve meaningful personal milestones rather than make monetary payments. For example, students are encouraged to complete their education, providing them with a stable foundation and a debt-free start to their careers.

The programme targets young individuals with debts often linked to student loans (DUO) or low-income jobs. Eligibility is contingent on the willingness of participants to commit to achieving personal goals.

Alderman Mohamed-Hoesein, responsible for poverty reduction and debt assistance, stated: "By incorporating the JES programme into our municipal offerings, Rotterdam is taking a significant step in addressing youth debt. This approach allows young people with minimal repayment capacity to begin their futures debt-free."

Origin and goals of JES

The JES initiative was developed following a motion by the GroenLinks political party, which called for targeted support for young people with severe debt. The motion highlighted the importance of reducing debt sustainably while increasing social opportunities for young people.

Assistance through the Jongerenloket

Young individuals with debt can seek help through Rotterdam's Jongerenloket (Youth Desk). Staff assess each case to recommend the most appropriate support. Those ineligible for the JES programme are directed to alternative assistance options.

For more information, young people can contact the Jongerenloket by phone at 010 267 13 00 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Additional details can be found at Rotterdam Youth Desk.

ROTTERDAM, 2 December 2024 – Rotterdam leads the way among the Netherlands' largest cities with its solar energy efforts. The city now boasts the most solar panels and the largest capacity for solar energy generation within the G4.

Rotterdam has the most solar panels among Dutch cities

Recent figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reveal that Rotterdam leads the G4 in terms of solar energy generation capacity. The G4 refers to the four largest cities in the Netherlands: Rotterdam, Amsterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. With over one million solar panels installed across an area comparable to 173 football fields, the growth of solar power in Rotterdam surpasses that of the other major cities.

Free solar panel advice for homeowners' associations

The municipality is supporting sustainability efforts with initiatives such as free advice for homeowners' associations (Verenigingen van Eigenaren, VvE). Councillor Zeegers, responsible for climate policy, highlighted the importance of accessible green energy: "I believe it is essential that green energy is available to as many Rotterdammers as possible."

Recently, the Servicepunt Zon initiative began offering complimentary consultations to VvEs regarding solar panel installation. Businesses have already benefitted from similar support, with 131 Rotterdam-based companies receiving advice in recent years.

Collective solar projects and neighbourhood initiatives

In addition to individual assistance, homeowners can collaborate with neighbours to purchase solar panels collectively. The city also offers options for renters. Through collective solar panel projects on public buildings, tenants can invest as little as €25 in a solar share, allowing them to benefit from the energy produced.

Solar energy remains a viable choice

Concerns about the cost-effectiveness of solar energy and the capacity of the electricity grid are addressed by experts. Solar panels remain an economical investment, particularly when households use the electricity they generate directly. Additionally, solar energy contributes to easing the demand on the electricity grid, making it both a sustainable and practical choice for Rotterdam residents.

Learn more about solar energy initiatives

For more details about solar energy in Rotterdam and municipal support programmes, visit the city's dedicated website at duurzaam010.nl/thema/zonne-energie.

ROTTERDAM, 14 November 2024 – The Municipality of Rotterdam has unveiled its Urban Sports Agenda (2024-2027), outlining 32 initiatives aimed at strengthening urban sports across the city. The agenda is a collaborative effort involving urban sports providers and participants, focusing on inclusivity and accessibility.

^{Photo credit: Raemy Abdelsalam}

What are urban sports?

Urban sports encompass creative and accessible athletic activities typically practised in city environments, such as skateboarding, 3x3 basketball, and breakdancing. These sports have gained significant popularity in Rotterdam, with 25% of the city’s youth actively participating in some form of urban sports.

Urban Sports Agenda 2024-2027

The new agenda seeks to enhance opportunities for urban sports in Rotterdam, recognising their role in promoting physical activity and fostering community engagement. The diversity and informal nature of these sports make them appealing and accessible to a wide audience.

Rotterdam's alderman for Welfare, Community, Sport, and Digital Inclusion, Faouzi Achbar, stated: “In the coming years, we will focus on improving the accessibility of urban sports to ensure everyone can participate. This includes developing targeted programmes for young women and individuals with disabilities, such as specialised sports classes or creating urban sports parks designed to accommodate diverse needs.”

Key initiatives and planned actions

The agenda outlines over 30 planned actions to be implemented between 2024 and 2027. These include hosting events like the annual Wednesday Night Skate, enhancing the Urban Sports Subsidy Scheme, and designing innovative public sports spaces. Collaboration with urban sports providers and the broader community will remain integral to the success of these initiatives.

Community collaboration

The Urban Sports Agenda was developed through a collaborative process involving input from urban sports participants, providers, and residents. This engagement included creative workshops, surveys, interviews, and outreach via social media platforms.

ROFFA, a collective representing Rotterdam’s urban sports scene, expressed optimism about the partnership. “We’ve experienced meaningful collaboration with the Municipality of Rotterdam in shaping this agenda. As an urban sports collective, we feel acknowledged and hope to continue building the city together,” a ROFFA representative remarked.