About us
Jong Noord is by and for young people in Groningen. We help you make your own plans happen, here in the region and together with young people from across Europe. Growing together, that's what it's all about.
Our story
Jong Noord started as a group of friends with a Chamber of Commerce number. A few young people with an idea saw that lots of people their age were leaving North-East Groningen, because they expected more opportunities elsewhere. We wanted to make the region a better place to live and to mean something to those peers. Our goal is that young people and young adults are proud of where they come from and build the region together.
Jong Noord is here for everyone aged 18 to 30.
- 2021
Jong Noord begins
In February 2021 we registered with the Chamber of Commerce. That's our official start. The conversations between a few friends with an idea had already begun in 2020.
Our first logo - 2022
A skate park in the council chamber
Around twenty young people from Appingedam present their plan for an Urban Sports Park to the municipal council. We push the plan forward and help get it started. This is how a project begins that we are now developing further together with the municipality of Eemsdelta.
- 2023
At the table with the State Secretary
After the parliamentary inquiry, we sit down with State Secretary Hans Vijlbrief. He wants to know what the community wants and needs. We bring in what young people tell us.
- 2023
Our first exchange, organised by us
In Zeerijp, 30 young people from different countries come together for Driver's Seat: Time to Take the Wheel Again. They talk about mental health, personal development and what success in life means.
- 2023
We buy the Cultuurbunker
In 2023 we buy the Cultuurbunker for 1 euro. The renovation comes later. Once we start building, new steps will show up here.
- 2024
The King listens
In September 2024, King Willem-Alexander comes to Ten Boer to talk with young people from the earthquake area. We are there and tell him that young people want a say in their future. They give him a symbolic gift: a blank canvas with a tear in it. The tear stands for the past of Groningen and the white canvas for its future.
- 2024
A voice for young people in Nij Begun
After the report Groningers Boven Gas, our role as an advocate for young people grows. We make sure young people get a seat at the tables around Nij Begun.
- 2024
De Huiskamer
Together with Cadanz Welzijn, we breathe new life into a community house in Appingedam: De Huiskamer. Cadanz brings social workers with plenty of expertise. We're right there among young people and know what's going on. That's how we build a good partnership between our organisations.
- 2025
A solid foundation
We are growing from a group of enthusiastic young people into a serious, professional organisation. Together with the board, volunteers and young people, we set a new vision. We appoint our first Supervisory Board and update the articles of association.
New logo, 2025 - 2025
Dick Schoof visits Groningen
In July 2025, Prime Minister Dick Schoof comes to Groningen to talk about the mental health of young people. We organise the visit and invite young people from the earthquake area, plus organisations and initiatives from across the province. This way, everyone sits at the table with him. Together we give him the Terugkoppelbokaal, the Feedback Cup. We ask him to bring the cup back, together with feedback on the conversation.
- 2025
Reclaiming the night
A community of young women grows around Jong Noord. They want to build a support network for each other. A small group from this community takes the initiative, through Jong Noord, to join the national campaign Wij eisen de nacht op (Reclaim the Night). On 19 September 2025, more than 100 people walk together from Delfzijl to Appingedam. They call attention to the safety and visibility of women in public spaces. For many, it's their first march.
- 2026
Budget for the Urban Sports Park
In February 2026 the municipal council approves the budget for the campus park that the Urban Sports Park is part of.
- 2026
Five years and a congress
On 25 September 2026, we organise the Toekomstmakers Congress with youth organisations from all over Groningen. Young people, young initiators and young organisations come together and swap ideas and experience at different levels. Nobody goes home without a follow-up. This way, professionals and young people bring everyday life and the system closer together.
New logo, 2026 - Now
Pausing to regroup
Our direction is clear: we encourage the personal and professional development of young people in the province of Groningen. The way we work now isn't sustainable, though. Everything runs on volunteers and budgets that come and go, and our core team puts in almost full time hours without pay. That's why we're pausing to regroup in 2026: fewer exchanges, and for now no support for individual youth initiatives. The Urban Sports Park carries on. Meanwhile, we're looking for larger, lasting funding so our initiatives can keep going.
Your idea
You come up with the idea and you decide how it looks. The project is yours and stays yours, even when it grows. We guide you, think along with you and offer the platform you can build on. That way you learn by doing it yourself, with someone by your side.
Growing together
At Jong Noord you grow as a person. You try things out and learn from what works and from what doesn't. We grow as a team too, because every project teaches us how to support young people better. And with every project young people start here, the region grows with them.
We handle the hassle
Applying for a grant or finding a space: we help with that, and we pick up a big part ourselves. That leaves you time to actually do things. Where we can, we hand the responsibility to you, because it's your project. We show you how it works, so next time you can do it yourself.
From here
We grew up in the earthquake area and we know what that does to you. That's why we build here. Through exchanges we bring the world to Groningen, and we make Groningen a better place ourselves too. The new generation of Groningers deserves the chance to grow up with opportunities and a bit of luck, to build and to pioneer a region that's theirs and that they're proud of.
Jong Noord in numbers
The team
Jong Noord runs on young people who put time and energy into each other's ideas. These are the people driving it right now.
Cody
Chairperson
Marnick
Secretary
Nadja
International coordinator
Steven
Project leader
Stichting Jong Noord has a board that is ultimately responsible. You can read who's on it on our ANBI page.
You belong here too
Got an idea for your village or town? Or want to join something that's already running? Send us a message.