Rotterdam (NL)

Background, context and reasons why the project is needed.

The city of Rotterdam is a city that is worked in and on. Ambitions are high: socially as well as economically. Still, the city is to remain accessible. The inhabitants, the entrepreneurs and the many (international) visitors expect no less.
For the Rotterdam youth this is even more important. Their future begins in the city.

This project is to meet the challenge to provide the city, as well as its young representatives, a prosperous future. 

The project ‘City stewards’ closely relates to the Rotterdam coalition program on the following issues:

• Providing education and employment opportunities for young people;
• Improve on the number of intern-/apprenticeships vacancies;
• Create a health environment for entrepreneurship.
• Organize successfully large events;
• Improve on service delivery in the city for inhabitants and for visitors.

The project also relates to ‘Rotterdam, European Youth Capital 2009’ and the planned (inter)national events.

What are the project’s
objectives?

To provide young people (age 18-30) with the position of City steward to bridge the gap with paid employment or regular education, during and after the course of training. The target group are young people without employment or educational qualifications.

How will it be approached?

• Developing a training course;
• Developing a coaching strategy;
• Developing guidance to labour market;
• Developing a structural administrative organisation;
• Formulating a budget;
• Reaching agreement with partners;

Which will accumulate into the following products:

• An administrative organisation (legal body);
• A City stewards training course;

• A description of City stewards profile- and competences;
• Competent teachers and coaches;
• Trained City stewards;
• A website and printed promotion material;
• Agreements on secondment with employers;
• Covenants with regular education providers on transferral and influx;
• An evaluation and report on the approach as ‘product’ for other cities and regions.

What is the scope of the project? / What are its boundaries?

To develop a training program for young people without qualifications. And, to deploy them, during large events organised in Rotterdam.
The young City stewards are to provide visitors and inhabitants a safe and hospitable feeling.

What are the intended outcomes? 

How can these be measured?

What are the critical success factors?

A structural organisation to train 100 young City stewards in order to improve their chances on the labour market and to provide for a safe and hospitable environment during large events.

A close cooperation with all partners in the project is vital in its success and in the efforts to create employment.

Are there any constraints?

• Capital/Grants/Subsidy arrangements;
• Time; in September 2009 the first group of City stewards needs to commence training.

Are you making any assumptions?

• Young people will be provided a chance on the labour market;
• A contribution will be made to a safer and more hospitable Rotterdam.