Many residents of Apeldoorn are committed to making their neighbourhood, village or town a more attractive and sociable place. From sporting events to green meeting places and creative projects – with support from the residents’ initiatives grant scheme, these ideas are becoming a reality.
Examples of residents’ initiatives
On this page, you’ll find a selection of inspiring initiatives. Be amazed by the wonderful projects that have already been completed and discover how local residents support one another.
Wenum Herb Garden
This initiative was submitted in 2023 and involves a herb discovery trail covering no less than 5000m². The herb garden brings people into contact with fresh herbs and edible flowers. As well as herbs, there will also be wild flowers, berries and various types of fruit. To promote biodiversity, beehives and insect hotels will be installed. The Wenum Herb Adventure will be a venue for education, workshops and a relaxing experience for everyone: local residents, schools, businesses and more. The volunteers are still hard at work on the development, and the opening is expected at the start of this summer.
Good idea? Make the most of it!
Do you have an idea for making Apeldoorn even more beautiful, more sociable or more attractive? If so, you may be eligible for a grant.
Apply for a grantSadika Women’s Group
Sadika is a multicultural group of more than 55 women from the Sprenkelaar district and surrounding neighbourhoods. What began a few years ago as a women’s group has grown into a close-knit network centred on socialising, developing talents and working together. They prepare meals in the world cuisine kitchen, learn to mend clothes during sewing lessons, and strengthen the neighbourhood through yoga, the coffee house and the clothing bank. Everything they earn is reinvested in new activities.
Partly thanks to support from the grant scheme for residents’ initiatives, a diverse community has emerged in which women share knowledge, experiences and culture, fostering friendships and mutual support.
Join the movement
Join the Movement is an initiative that brings together exercise, inclusion and fun. During the event, local residents and young people, both with and without disabilities, come together to take part in sports clinics and challenges.
It’s not about winning, but about working together, understanding one another better and having fun together. By forming mixed teams, everyone gets the chance to take part and meet new people. The aim? A day full of sport, connection and inclusivity, where everyone feels welcome!
Expansion of shul activities at De Arkel
A group of enthusiastic volunteers had already been organising coffee mornings, koersbal and sjoelball afternoons at the De Arkel housing estate, turning it into a lively meeting place for the neighbourhood. Thanks to a grant from the Residents’ Initiatives scheme, new competition-standard shuffleboard sets and additional equipment could be purchased, enabling more local residents to take part and making the afternoons even more challenging.
Drive for Life
The Drive For Life Foundation is committed to putting vulnerable children and young people in the spotlight for a day. On 21 September 2024, the foundation gave young people from a youth care centre in Hoenderloo an unforgettable experience. They were driven around in impressive sports cars and, together with enthusiastic drivers, enjoyed a day full of adventure and fun. Drive For Life aims to show these young people that there are no limits to what they can achieve. Thanks to the dedication of committed volunteers, it was a day full of hope, dreams and wonderful memories.
Play and exercise
Young residents of Apeldoorn have also benefited from the scheme. For example, countless outdoor play days and children’s holiday activities have been organised at various locations across the city and villages. In addition, themed days and anniversary celebrations took place in larger playgrounds. Finally, on the initiative of local residents, several play areas were expanded, which not only provided more fun for children but also strengthened community ties in the neighbourhood.
Good idea? Make the most of it!
Do you have an idea for making Apeldoorn even more beautiful, more sociable or more attractive? If so, you may be eligible for a grant.