ROTTERDAM, 12 May 2025 – A new edition of Rotterdam’s week against sexual street harassment has begun, with a renewed focus on awareness, discussion and empowerment. Highlights include a theatre installation at Schouwburgplein and a nighttime protest walk.

Rotterdam launches third week against street harassment

The third edition of the Rotterdam Week against Sexual Street Harassment (Week tegen Seksuele Straatintimidatie) is taking place from 12 to 18 May 2025. The city is once again turning attention to a persistent issue that disproportionately affects women, girls and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Despite ongoing efforts, sexual street harassment remains a common experience in Rotterdam. In 2024, reports submitted through the StopApp increased by 300%, a trend the municipality sees as both concerning and reflective of growing awareness. Research conducted by Erasmus University found that 84% of women in Rotterdam have encountered some form of harassment in public spaces.

The municipality, together with a range of partner organisations, is using this theme week to further raise awareness, encourage conversation and provide practical tools for action. This year’s approach is said to involve more initiatives and partners than previous editions.

Stronger demand for education and awareness

The growing number of reports is not seen in isolation. The city notes a rising demand for educational tools such as guest lectures and workshops in schools and community centres. For years, Rotterdam has pursued a structural approach to tackling street harassment.

Alderman Pascal Lansink-Bastemeijer commented: “We see that the number of reports continues to grow. That unfortunately means too many Rotterdammers are still affected. I hope this week will reach a large audience and increase both awareness and the willingness to take action.”

Theatre installation invites personal experience

A central event this week is the immersive theatre installation Psst.. Hé Schatje! at Schouwburgplein. Visitors are guided individually through a series of rooms where they encounter performances, audio, and information designed to simulate experiences of street harassment. Experts will be present to engage in conversation with attendees after the walkthrough.

The installation is open to the public from 12 to 15 May, daily from 18:00 to 20:00. For the first time, the experience will also be available in English.

Night walk signals resistance to sexual violence

The campaign week concludes with the Nacht Tegen Seksueel Geweld (Night Against Sexual Violence), an overnight walk through the city. More than 800 participants are expected to walk 20 kilometres across Rotterdam from Saturday 17 to Sunday 18 May. The event aims to serve as a visible statement against sexual intimidation and violence.

Mayor Schouten will join the route in support of the cause. Proceeds from the event will support Plan International projects that address gender-based violence globally, through safer urban spaces, education on girls’ rights, and youth empowerment.

Directions to Schouwburgplein

Schouwburgplein is a large open square located in Rotterdam’s city centre, near the Doelen concert hall and the Rotterdamse Schouwburg theatre. The area is accessible by tram, metro (Stadhuis and Rotterdam Centraal stations), and is a short walk from Rotterdam Central Station.

ROTTERDAM, 2 May 2025 – A dedicated return point for bottles and cans is opening in Rotterdam, offering a more accessible way to reclaim deposit money, including cash refunds.

First deposit return shop opens in Rotterdam

Rotterdam will host the first dedicated deposit return shop (Statiegeld Retourshop) in the Netherlands. The new concept is being launched by Statiegeld Nederland, part of Verpact, and will open its flagship store on 9 May in the Keizerswaard shopping centre. A second shop will follow shortly in Amsterdam.

The initiative aims to make the process of returning deposit packaging easier and more appealing for consumers, particularly in busy urban areas where supermarkets often experience high traffic at return machines.

Cash refunds for bottles at new return shop

Designed for efficiency and accessibility

The return shop is equipped with a bulk machine capable of processing more than 100 bottles and cans at once, as well as individual return machines, separate waste bins, a handwashing sink and a cash-out terminal. The cash payout is handled by Brink’s Paystation, an automated and secure system that allows users to receive their refund in cash without staff involvement. Alternatively, refunds can be issued via Tikkie or donated.

This automated system is designed to be both efficient and secure, with Brink’s solely responsible for managing the funds and machine operations.

Cash refunds for bottles at new return shop

Meeting a clear need in urban areas

According to Statiegeld Nederland director Jeroen Hillen, the opening of the return shops addresses a growing demand for more accessible deposit return points. “From now on, residents of Rotterdam and Amsterdam can visit our deposit return shops. This is a unique concept in the Netherlands where the process is reversed: you bring something in and receive money, instead of spending it,” Hillen stated.

He noted the current lack of legal obligation for shops to accept deposit packaging, which has led the organisation to take matters into its own hands. “Return convenience is key, and that’s why we want more collection points throughout the Netherlands. We continue to seek creative and accessible ways to collect deposit packaging, because every returned item is one more that can be recycled and reused,” he added.

Location and directions

The Statiegeld Retourshop is located at Keizerswaard 16 in the Keizerswaard shopping centre, a busy commercial area in the IJsselmonde district of southeast Rotterdam. The mall is accessible by tram and bus, with ample parking available nearby.

ROTTERDAM, 17 April 2025 — Royal3D will present a new aquatic drone during World Boating Day on 24 May 2025. The drone will be 3D printed live at the company’s facility in the M4H district.

ShearWater drone to be 3D printed live in Rotterdam

Royal3D, a 3D printing company located in Rotterdam’s Merwe-Vierhavens (M4H) district, is preparing to launch the ShearWater Aquatic Drone. The ShearWater is intended for tasks such as port inspections and data collection, reducing the need for human presence in hazardous environments.

The prototype has been developed for use in maritime environments and will be shown to the public during a live demonstration on 24 May 2025, as part of the global World Boating Day programme. The printing process will be carried out using the company’s robotic arm printer, one of the largest of its kind in Europe. This large-scale machine uses additive manufacturing techniques to build parts layer by layer, allowing for rapid prototyping and custom designs.

Developed with sustainability in mind

Royal3D has produced the ShearWater drone using recyclable PETG reinforced with fibre, a material suitable for maritime use. The design supports customisation by third parties, allowing autonomous systems to be integrated depending on the application. The project reflects the company’s focus on sustainable and functional manufacturing for real-world environments. 

Why this matters for Rotterdam

Projects such as the ShearWater Aquatic Drone align with broader developments in Rotterdam, where digital manufacturing and port innovation are playing an increasing role. Local initiatives like this one contribute to skills development and reinforce the city’s position as a centre for sustainable maritime technology.

A collaboration between Royal3D and Royal Roos

The ShearWater project is a joint effort with Royal Roos, a Rotterdam-based engineering firm specialising in maritime solutions. Together, the two teams have developed a functional prototype that is adaptable to a variety of tasks in demanding port conditions.

By enabling remote inspections, the drone could contribute to greater safety and efficiency in maritime operations. It also supports Rotterdam’s wider ambitions in port innovation and digital manufacturing.

Royal3D reveals aquatic drone for World Boating Day

What to expect on World Boating Day

On 24 May, Royal3D will open its doors to the public as part of World Boating Day. Visitors will be given a guided tour of the facility and will see the ShearWater drone being printed in real time. The demonstration will showcase how robotic 3D printing works and explain the design considerations behind maritime prototypes.

Royal3D’s team will also offer a workshop and Q&A session. Topics include the basics of designing for 3D printing, material selection and how digital production is applied to maritime projects.

Event programme and details

The World Boating Day event will take place on Saturday 24 May 2025 at Royal3D's facility in Rotterdam West. The programme is as follows:

• 11:00 – 11:30: Arrival and coffee

• 11:30 – 12:20: Guided tour and live 3D printing demonstration using the ABB robotic arm printer

• 12:30 – 13:00: Coffee break

• 13:00 – 15:00: Workshop and Q&A with Royal3D’s team

Attendance is limited to 20 participants. To reserve your spot or request more information, visit the official registration page or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ROTTERDAM, 10 April 2025 – A poignant projection will soon light up Rotterdam’s buildings and trees to honour the lives lost in the 1940 bombing. The city-wide tribute begins on 6 May, marking 85 years since the devastating event.

Rotterdam commemorates bombing victims with city-wide projection

A large-scale commemorative project titled ‘De namen van 14 mei’ (The names of 14 May) will be unveiled across Rotterdam from 6 to 14 May 2025. Organised in collaboration with Mothership, VideoAgency, and the Comité Herdenking 14 mei, the initiative seeks to remember the individuals who perished in the bombing of Rotterdam in 1940.

As the city marks 85 years since the aerial assault, an immersive visual memorial will project the names—and where possible, the faces—of the victims onto various surfaces throughout Rotterdam. These projections will appear on buildings, trees, and large digital screens from Rotterdam Centraal Station to the KPN building in Zuid, and all the way to Ahoy.

A shift in remembrance

While the post-war reconstruction of Rotterdam has long been a central narrative, the stories of the lives lost have often remained less visible. Recent research by Stichting Voorouder and Stadsarchief Rotterdam has confirmed that at least 711 individuals died as a result of the bombing. The upcoming installation aims to focus attention on those who were directly affected, making their presence felt across the modern cityscape.

“In previous years, the conversation often centred around the city’s destruction,” said the organisers, “but now, the emphasis is placed on the people behind that loss.”

Relevance in the present day

According to the creators, the project not only looks back, but also draws attention to contemporary global conflicts and displacement. With wars ongoing and millions currently displaced, the act of remembrance is framed as a timely and reflective gesture.

VideoAgency and Mothership, two Rotterdam-based creative organisations, are producing the visual installation. “Fewer and fewer people recall what happened 85 years ago,” stated the organisers. “But in today’s world, remembering has gained new urgency.”

An invitation to share stories

Beginning on 6 May at Rotterdam Centraal Station, the poetic animation will transform as names flow into faces and vice versa. Throughout the city, residents and visitors alike will encounter these projections.

The public is encouraged to contribute to the collective memory by sharing personal or family stories related to the bombing. These accounts can be submitted via the dedicated website: herdenkjij14mei.nl/denamenvan or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About the organisers

The Comité Herdenking 14 mei consists of engaged citizens and representatives from Rotterdam’s cultural sector. Supported by the municipality, the committee annually organises remembrance programmes for the city.

Mothership is known for integrating public art into Rotterdam’s urban landscape, including works such as Hoorn des Overvloeds at the Markthal and the Dobberend Bos in the Rijnhaven. VideoAgency focuses on storytelling through visual media and has worked with various local institutions including Havenbedrijf Rotterdam and Kunsthal.

Location of the opening event

The official kick-off of De namen van 14 mei will take place on 6 May 2025 at 10:20 a.m. in the main hall of Rotterdam Centraal Station. Mayor Schouten is expected to formally launch the animation, which will be shown on the horizontal screen near the event square (eventplein) opposite the Port of Rotterdam screen.