ROTTERDAM, 1 October 2024 – Erasmus MC and the municipality of Rotterdam have committed to creating more inclusive job opportunities through a newly signed agreement aimed at people facing employment barriers. The initiative seeks to set a new standard for employment policies in the region.

Erasmus MC and Rotterdam collaborate on inclusive job opportunities

The Erasmus MC has become the first academic hospital in the Netherlands to sign a social inclusion agreement with the municipality of Rotterdam. The agreement, known as a “Social Return” policy (Social Return), is designed to create hundreds of job opportunities for people with limited access to the labour market.

As the largest employer in the region, Erasmus MC will incorporate this commitment into its procurement policies. It will now require its contractors to offer employment opportunities to vulnerable groups. These roles may include caregiving support, cleaning, or other facility management services within the hospital.

Focus on social impact in employment

Tim Versnel, alderman for Work and Income, expressed the significance of the agreement: “This will make an impact. Every Rotterdammer deserves access to employment, including those with a disability or other barriers. We are setting a new standard. With the current tight job market, I hope this inspires other hospitals, businesses, and institutions in Rotterdam to include Social Return in their procurement policies.”

A collaborative approach

Through this agreement, Erasmus MC will align its procurement and tendering processes with the Social Return policy established by the municipality of Rotterdam. This means that every procurement order will be evaluated for its potential to create jobs or provide training for those distanced from the labour market. In turn, the municipality will support the hospital by offering expertise and experience in implementing Social Return practices.

Expanding impact across Rotterdam

The municipality of Rotterdam aims to expand its partnerships with large employers. This agreement with Erasmus MC is seen as a model for future collaborations. In February 2024, the municipality launched its updated Social Return policy, aiming to double the number of "anchor organisations"—large entities committed to sustainable employment practices. With an annual procurement budget of €1 billion, Erasmus MC is one such anchor organisation.

Championing an inclusive labour market

The city of Rotterdam is regarded as a leader in the Netherlands in implementing Social Return policies. In 2023, the city generated €35 million in social return results, helping 3,000 people find employment. The agreement was signed on International Diversity Day, a day dedicated to promoting inclusive job markets and celebrating talent in all forms.

How to reach Erasmus MC

The Erasmus MC is centrally located in Rotterdam, making it accessible from various parts of the city. The hospital is easily reachable by public transport, including metro and tram services, with stops located just a short walk away. If travelling by car, parking facilities are available nearby.

ROTTERDAM, 18 September 2024 – Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum, one of Rotterdam’s most cherished green spaces, unveiled its new entrance, highlighting its dedication to climate resilience and biodiversity. The new addition, opened by Alderman Lansink-Bastemeijer, is set to make the gardens more visible and accessible to visitors.

Trompenburg unveils new entrance to improve accessibility

Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum, located in the Kralingen district, celebrated the opening of its new entrance on 18 September 2024. The newly designed entrance is a result of years of collaboration with the municipality of Rotterdam to enhance both visibility and accessibility. Previously, the garden’s entrance was somewhat concealed behind trees and shrubs, making it difficult to spot. The updated design, developed in partnership with landscape architect Wilke Diekema, now offers an easily identifiable entryway.

Along with the entrance, a new footpath has been constructed, leading directly from the nearby tram stop, allowing visitors to reach the garden without detours. The refreshed entrance provides an early glimpse of the greenery inside, with seasonal plants and flowers on display year-round.

The official opening, held at 16:00 on 18 September, was marked by a ceremony led by Alderman Lansink-Bastemeijer. The entrance improvement is just one of several ongoing projects at Trompenburg aimed at ensuring the garden remains a vital part of Rotterdam’s green future.

Sustainable plans for a green future

Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum is committed to sustainability, with ongoing initiatives designed to create a garden that can adapt to future climate challenges. As not all trees and plants are resilient to the effects of climate change, Trompenburg has implemented projects focused on sustainable planting choices. New species of trees and plants are introduced to both the public and green industry professionals, showcasing those that are better equipped to thrive in shifting climate conditions while supporting biodiversity.

The garden also plays an educational role, offering programming that informs visitors about climate-resilient and biodiversity-friendly green spaces in urban environments. Through these efforts, Trompenburg aims to create a space where sustainability is at the forefront of every decision, contributing to a more resilient cityscape.

Flora: Rotterdam’s greenest café terrace

As part of its ongoing development, Trompenburg has introduced the newly renovated Tuinrestaurant Flora. Situated amidst lush greenery, Flora is considered one of the greenest dining spots in Rotterdam. Visitors can enjoy drinks, lunch, or high tea in an environment completely surrounded by nature.

The restaurant sources organic products locally, including some ingredients from Trompenburg’s own gardens and food forest. Flora is open during the day and can also be hired for special events, providing a serene backdrop for gatherings in the heart of the garden.

About Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum

Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum is a botanical garden featuring an extensive collection of trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and tubers. Covering 8 hectares, the garden is situated on the outskirts of Rotterdam’s city centre, in the Kralingen neighbourhood. It has been welcoming visitors for nearly 200 years and is recognised for its contributions to biodiversity and natural history. In addition to its status as a registered museum, Trompenburg is also designated as a Rotterdam Monument, reflecting its cultural and environmental significance as Rotterdam’s ‘green museum.’

Directions to Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum

Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum is located at Honingerdijk 86, in the Kralingen district, just a short tram ride from the city centre. Visitors can take tram line 21 or 24 and disembark at the ‘Woudestein’ stop, from where the new footpath provides direct access to the garden. The area is characterised by its proximity to Erasmus University and the peaceful green spaces that surround it.

ROTTERDAM, 8 October 2024 – In an effort to address food insecurity, a mobile food bank is making its rounds across Rotterdam. Councillor Natasha Mohamed-Hoesein will join the Rotterdam Food Service on 8 October to experience the initiative first-hand.

The Rotterdam Food Service (Rotterdamse Voedselservice), a project spearheaded by Stichting Salaam and Hotspot Hutspot, has expanded its reach across underserved neighbourhoods in Rotterdam. The initiative, supported by a grant from the 100-year Volkskracht foundation, aims to provide food aid to those who have limited access to traditional food banks.

Reaching underserved communities in Rotterdam

The Rotterdam Food Service targets families and individuals living in poverty in specific areas of the city, including Slinge, Crooswijk, Overschie, Oosterflank, and Lombardijen. These neighbourhoods often lack adequate access to food assistance and other social services. The mobile food bank particularly caters to residents who face challenges such as limited mobility, financial difficulties that prevent travel, or a general lack of awareness regarding available food assistance programmes. Furthermore, the initiative acknowledges dietary restrictions by providing options for those requiring halal food, a service that is not always available at traditional food banks.

Each day, the food service helps over 75 residents of these areas, offering fresh food collected primarily from surplus supplies, thus also contributing to the reduction of food waste. In addition, registered participants will soon be able to receive essential pantry items such as oil, flour, rice, lentils, and milk, which are made available through donations.

A growing initiative

The Rotterdam Food Service began as a pilot in December at the same location where the Hotspot Hutspot giveaway shop once operated. Since then, the initiative has grown, with the mobile food bank recently expanding its service to Lombardijen, now covering five different neighbourhoods. The service has quickly gained recognition, and long queues have become common at each stop. The vehicle itself has become a familiar sight, thanks in part to its distinct appearance, crafted by Rotterdam Signpainters, another recipient of the Volkskracht grant. On 8 October, the team will add final touches to the bus’s design.

ROTTERDAM, 20 August 2024 – Beep for Help has launched its first Rotterdam branch, offering non-medical assistance to help older residents maintain their independence while alleviating pressure on caregivers.

Beep for Help opens its first branch in Rotterdam

Beep for Help has opened its new Rotterdam branch at Hoogstraat 16, marking the first time its no-wait assistance service is available to the city's residents. The service connects users with helpers via phone or app for a range of tasks, aiming to promote independence among older and vulnerable people while easing the burden on informal caregivers. Additionally, the branch will serve as a community meeting place for its target audience.

Following a successful launch in Amsterdam, Beep for Help is expanding its service to Rotterdam, its second location in the Netherlands. “Rotterdam is a large city with many older residents and significant challenges in the field of care,” said Eugène Meinders, Chief Operating Officer of Beep for Help. “Statistics from CBS (Statistics Netherlands) show that one in eight Dutch citizens over the age of 20 provides long-term informal care, with 19 per cent finding it too burdensome. By occasionally or frequently taking over tasks like housekeeping, minor repairs, or hospital visits, we hope to relieve this burden. Furthermore, we see that this low-threshold form of assistance enables vulnerable groups to gain more control over their own lives. Our goal is to serve the entire Rotterdam region in the near future.”

A focus on community and safety

Beyond providing a service, the Rotterdam location has a social mission. Meinders explained: “At our branch in Amsterdam, we found that residents are eager to connect with us and each other. We aim to continue and improve this concept in Rotterdam. Beep for Help seeks to be part of the community, acting as an accessible point of contact for help requests in the area. We bring together local residents and our target audience in what we call our 'living room,' where they can meet over a cup of coffee or tea. We also collaborate with local helpers who want to contribute to their community and make a personal difference, for a fair reward. We hope this will contribute to the sense of personal safety and community spirit that is so important to our organisation and service. I am proud that we can open this in Rotterdam's vibrant centre.”

Ambitions for growth

This expansion is a step towards Beep for Help's goal to address societal challenges brought on by an ageing population. Meinders added, “With our first branch showing significant growth, it is time to serve more people in need. Over the past months, we have worked hard to set up our processes for a nationwide rollout. The opening of the Rotterdam branch not only marks the first visible proof of this ambition but also provides an opportunity to optimise our processes where necessary. This will allow us to serve more groups while maintaining our friendly and personal character.”

About Beep for Help

Beep for Help connects those in need of assistance with helpers through its app and phone line, offering efficient and reliable support to ease the burden on older people and informal caregivers. The organisation, affiliated with AMVN, is committed to tackling social issues, including the challenges of an ageing population and the growing strain on caregivers. For more information, visit the website: Beep for Help.

Directions to the new branch

The new Beep for Help branch is located at Hoogstraat 16, in the heart of Rotterdam. The area is well-served by public transport, with nearby tram and metro stations providing easy access. Hoogstraat is known for its mix of shops, cafés, and local amenities, making it a convenient and vibrant area for the new branch.