September 5, 2022

The Youth Fund for Sports and Culture fears that the increase in poverty will come at the expense of sports and culture for children.

Amsterdam, September 5, 2022 – The energy crisis and high inflation are causing financial hardship for a growing number of families. Daily life was 13.6% more expensive in August 2022 compared to August 2021. We fear that this will cause parents to cut back on sports clubs, music, dance, and cultural activities for their children and young people. Already, an average of two to three children per class are unable to attend lessons such as football, street dance, judo, or music. This number is expected to increase. With the "Choose a Club" campaign, which launches today, we are raising awareness about the possibility of paying membership fees or dues for families who are unable to do so themselves.

Participation is important

Monique Maks, director of the Youth Fund for Sports & Culture: “Every child deserves to participate and be seen. At a club, you make friends, learn essential skills, children learn to be considerate of each other, gain self-confidence, and forget their worries. And above all, they have fun together with other children. That's why club membership is so important. We understand that people have to keep a tight rein on spending. With our help, we can ensure that children can simply go to their clubs. We hope that more people will find us so that children don't have to miss out on their sports and cultural activities.”

Tristan de Bruin is a Youth & Family Coach for the Vreewijk Neighborhood Team in Rotterdam. “We have parents we know who come to us with requests, but now we're adding a new target group who haven't previously faced financial difficulties. I'm afraid these parents won't find their way to us yet, and that the neighborhood's children will soon be able to participate in sports in fewer numbers. Membership in sports and cultural clubs is an expense that fewer and fewer people can afford. But if they do find their way to us, we can help them, together with the Youth Fund, and they won't have to cut back on this.”

Aukje Sinte Maartensdijk, an internal support worker at a primary school in Harderwijk, confirms this perception and hopes the campaign will lower the threshold. "There's help available to keep your child in the club. The campaign connects parents with intermediaries like a teacher, community sports coach, or neighborhood team member to submit an application to the Youth Fund together. I hope the attention the campaign brings will make more people aware that the Youth Fund can help, before children have to miss out on their beloved sport or hobby. That would be such a shame."

Choose a club

The 'Choose a Club' campaign, where parents can ask the fund for help via www.kieseenclub.nl, runs from Monday, September 5th, to Friday, September 30th. The campaign will be visible in Dirk and Scapino stores, on birthday boxes from the Jarige Job Foundation, in outdoor advertising, and on various online platforms.

Ask for help via kieseenclub.nl