26 March 2025

Maarten Divendal: ‘Mijn betrokkenheid bij het Jeugdfonds was een schot in de roos’

Maarten Divendal waves af as a member of the Supervisory Board 

Maarten Divendal joined the board of the Youth Fund for Culture in 2014 and stepped down from the Supervisory Board of the Youth Fund for Sport & Culture at the end of 2024. He reflects on ten years of experience in culture, social work, and youth participation.

Divendal has always been an enthusiastic advocate for better youth policy, first as an alderman in the municipality of Haarlem and later as mayor of the municipality of Ronde Venen.. It was a mayor friend who nominated him for a board position on the Youth Fund in 2014. This move would lead to his close involvement with the organization for a full ten years. "He knew my passion for youth and affinity for culture, so it was a perfect fit," says Divendal.  

'Good' DNA

Organizing summer camps, establishing a youth center in Heemstede, and involving children in sports: social work is in Divendal's DNA. He has always wanted to ensure that children—from all backgrounds—can participate in all kinds of activities. He inherited this "doing good" spirit from his childhood and, in turn, passes it on to his two children. One is a leader in the local Scout troop, while the other helps out on a boat trip for people with disabilities for three weeks during the summer months. "If you're well off, you should also dedicate yourself to those who are less fortunate. That benefits our society as a whole."   

Multiple forces key

He believes the focus on young people is perfectly logical. They are the future. "So these young people should be given the opportunity to develop to their full potential. Even if there are financial obstacles at home."  

The Youth Fund's focus is on removing that financial barrier. But Divendal doesn't see it as the most important task: "Removing that barrier is really only a secondary step: you first have to reach these children. The Youth Fund does this through Meerkrachten (formerly intermediaries), the people in the field who are in close contact with children. I've always found that to be an incredibly effective approach." 

Talent development through sports and culture

Divendal witnessed the merger of the Youth Sports Fund and the Youth Culture Fund in 2018. "That definitely led to a professionalization boost. But it was good that the two merged anyway. Essentially, for me, it's about children discovering what they're good at. In a group, on the field, but maybe you're more of a soloist and thrive on the flute. Sport or culture: both can be equally important in a child's life and development." He cycles himself. He also goes to the gym weekly. He's also a passionate cultural enthusiast and enjoys going to the theater or cinema. He emphasizes: "Children can also experience culture without playing a musical instrument!" 

Broadening

His time as the fund's supervisor has come to an end. Divendal hopes the organization has a long and distinguished career ahead of it. And that the fund will continue to broaden its horizons in the future. "Besides paying membership fees or tuition, it might also be worthwhile to broaden your horizons where possible. Helping refugee children or children with disabilities. This could be achieved by collaborating with other organizations, as is currently happening with Sam&."

Maarten Divendal has been mayor of the municipality of Ronde Venen since 2011. From 2014 to 2024, he was involved with the Youth Sports & Culture Fund, first as a board member and later as a member of the Supervisory Board. 

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