News from the Dutch Network

Hi, welcome!

We would like to introduce the Dutch EuroPeers network to you. We are Bente (EuroPeer) and Kimber (Coordinator EuroPeers NL) and you can find our profiles on the web page as well. The Dutch National Agency values the voice of young people and believes in peer-to-peer communication for many years now. So before being part of the EuroPeers network we had some different names for the same concept. However, since autumn 2016 we are officially proud members of this international network. 

We have a group of very active members in the Dutch network, who dedicate at least one year to the network to create and participate. This group we call our active EuroPeers and consists of approximately 18 members. We have another group of fantastic youngsters who are involved at fairs, or whenever we need extra help, but do not fully participate at this moment. With them, we have a national network of around 35 members. 

You are a EuroPeer in the Dutch EuroPeers network when you you participated in a project within Erasmus+ Youth or European Solidarity Corps and you want to share your experiences with other youngsters and want to be part of a network with like-minded people. To become a member you just have to send an email to Kimber (Coordinator EuroPeers) and Linda (Representative form the NA). We will invite you for an interview and talk about your experiences and goals for the network. And then, if everything goes well, you can start 🙂 We usually have two starting moments a year: September and February.

Everyday Life in the Dutch EuroPeers Network

The Dutch National Agency is represented by an external coordinator, Kimber, who works together and has direct contact with both the EuroPeers and the National Agency. Sometimes the National Agency is in direct contact with the EuroPeers as well, for example when the help of EuroPeers can be used for activities of the National Agency. Kimber is present at, and often hosts, the EuroPeers meetings and helps the EuroPeers where needed regarding their projects and presentations. The National Agency also has an advisory group in which EuroPeers are involved. They give their opinion on the policy and ideas of the National Agency. 

To stay in contact and up-to-date on each other’s projects, we get together with the EuroPeers monthly for an online meeting and we see each other twice a year for a physical meeting. Besides that, we come together regularly at projects and get-togethers organized by EuroPeers themselves. We are very proud of our team of EuroPeers who are not only active within our network by hosting the monthly meetings and by organizing their own projects and gatherings, but also because they are actively sharing their knowledge and skills with others. At one of our last physical national network meetings, the Dutch EuroPeers gave several workshops to around 30 young people who are interested in programmes of Erasmus+. We also launched our own Instagram page back then. We are very excited to use this page to share our EuroPeers stories and news.

Join the Dutch EuroPeers!

If you would like to become a Dutch EuroPeer as well or if you have any questions about our network feel free to contact Kimber or Linda:

Contact details Kimber (Coordinator Dutch EuroPeers Network):

Kimber Geurtz: k.geurtz@nji.nl 

Contact details Linda (National Agency):

Linda Janmaat: L.janmaat@nji.nl