Young Researchers Delft-West empowers youth

What makes this project so unique is that we are not only conducting research about young people, but together with them. We explore key issues in their lived environment and work towards concrete improvements.

Milou Andriessen

Introduction

The Young Researchers Delft-West approach, developed within the Neighbourhood University, trains young people to become co-researchers. Together with experts, they tackle issues from their own living environment and work on solutions that create real impact.

Project Background

Delft-West is one of the focus neighbourhoods within the National Programme for Liveability and Safety. The area faces overlapping challenges in education, poverty, health, housing, and safety. Issues related to growing up in this context require urgent attention, such as leaving education without a starting qualification and youth-related disturbances.

The programme is part of the Neighbourhood University Delft-West, an initiative of Delft University of Technology. It is funded through the Regio Deal Delft-West, a collaboration between the Municipality of Delft and the national government to improve liveability and equal opportunities in the neighbourhoods of Voorhof, Buitenhof, and Tanthof-West.

Objective

The programme contributes to a more liveable neighbourhood and the development of young people, while exploring how youth can effectively participate in addressing issues within their own living environment.

Target Group

The programme focuses on young people in key transition phases: from primary to secondary education and from secondary to higher education, periods marked by important personal and social challenges.

Method

The programme applies Community Led Research and Action (CLRA), in which young people conduct research on issues that affect them directly. Based on their own experiences, they formulate research questions, collect data, and co-develop interventions with stakeholders.

Supported by researchers with expertise in participatory methods, CLRA fosters ownership, engagement, and sustainable solutions that align with the lived realities of young people in Delft-West.

Results

The programme includes modules focused on improving the living environment and wellbeing of young people in Delft-West. These modules develop a range of research skills and generate valuable insights into meaningful youth participation in urban challenges.

One example is the development of a new playground near the Debussyflat, where young people were actively involved in designing their own environment. They learned interviewing and design skills, met municipal experts, and participated in an exploratory internship at City Hall.

Impact

By engaging young people as co-researchers, they are empowered to create change that reflects their needs. This approach strengthens collaboration between youth, the municipality, and the community, contributing to sustainable improvements in liveability and engagement in Delft-West.

The programme not only results in tangible neighbourhood improvements but also increases young people’s confidence in their ability to influence their environment. It may also contribute to stronger future prospects by fostering new aspirations.

More Information

Neighbourhood University Delft-West – Young Researchers programme

Start and End Date

September 2025 – August 2028

Funding

Regio Deal Delft-West (a collaboration between the national government and the Municipality of Delft).

Partnerships

This project is carried out in collaboration with various partners, including:

• Delft University of Technology 
• Municipality of Delft 
• Wij West Delft 
• ROC Mondriaan 
• Rode Fenix 
• Delft voor Elkaar 
• CANIDREAM  
• The Mall 

Team

Research Group Urban Social Development

• Katja Rusinovic – Professor of Urban Social Development 
• Marianne van Bochove – Associate Professor 
• Bernell Herder – Researcher 
• Stephan van Berkel – Lecturer-Researcher 
• Milou Andriessen – Lecturer-Researcher 
• Melissa van der Heijden – Lecturer-Researcher 
• Sophie Bothof – Project Support Officer 

Contact

Bernell Herder ([email protected])