House of Active Citizenship
The House of Active Citizenship
Since October 30, 2025, Thuis has been affiliated with the national movement Huis van Actief Burgerschap (House of Active Citizenship). The HvAB is a national network with places where all kinds of people from the city, municipality, and businesses can connect and collaborate on issues facing society.
In Wageningen, there are already increasing initiatives to bring people together, to strengthen neighborhoods and groups of people. Together, we try to find solutions to problems related to care, poverty, loneliness, sustainability, housing, and migration. Often faster, better, and with more commitment than the municipality and the government could manage alone.
In almost no other city are there as many active and involved residents and organizations as in Wageningen. However, this is not always visible, and we often work at cross purposes. The Home of Active Citizenship brings this together at Thuis. In this way, we strengthen the growing movement of active residents in Wageningen. Together, we are building the future and making a real difference in our city.
Together we make the city
It is primarily about doing things together and taking action together for the city. We do this not only in Wageningen, but throughout the Netherlands. Thuis is one of the first twelve houses, and many more are on the way. It is becoming a network of people who want to make their living environment more beautiful and better.
With the THvAB, Thuis Wageningen is now also part of a national movement. This allows us to collaborate even better with engaged Wageningen residents. We can set each other in motion and sustain that momentum. For government, social organizations, and businesses, too, this is the place to work with residents on the issues facing society.
Come by if you have an idea, want to share a concern or question, or are simply curious. We would love to invite you to our monthly meeting. This is usually held every first Thursday of the month from 12:00 to 14:00 at Thuis. Keep an eye on our calendar and social media. You are most welcome!
The national House of Active Citizenship is located in Utrecht. This initiative is made possible in part with support from the VSB Fund and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations
Soapbox & Lunch: first Thursday of the month
Discover what is happening in the city. Which Wageningen residents are stepping onto the soapbox this time to share their idea, concern, or question? Or will you step onto the soapbox yourself? Listen and join the conversation while we make sandwiches together.
Soapbox & Lunch
Usually every first Thursday of the month > Agenda
From 12:00 - 13:30h
At Thuis, THuis van Actief Burgerschap, Stationsstraat 32
Free, no registration required
Do you want to share an idea, question, or concern on the soapbox? Then register via:
Looking back at Soapbox & Lunch
Pitches November 5
It is Thursday, November 5, and warm in the Stadskamer. Golden streaks of autumn sunlight dance over bags, cups of coffee, and people in conversation. Time for soapbox & lunch. This afternoon, the theme 'places and communities in the city' takes center stage.
🌃 Help create a new meeting place and space for youth nightlife in Wageningen.
Wageningen Culture Collective is getting closer and closer to the place they have been working hard for for years: that new meeting place and space for youth nightlife in Wageningen. Will you think along or join in? On December 9, you are very welcome at the Cultuurwerkplaats to discuss this further as a (young) resident of Wageningen!
Contact: wageningenculturecollective@gmail.com / @wag_culturecollective
🌻A place of greenery and meeting at the Vrijheidskwartier
At the Vrijheidskwartier, residents and organizations are joining forces for a new meeting place with more greenery and a shared space. Curious about the developments and want to contribute to the plans? How can the square become a place of greenery and meeting? Welcome to the Vrijheidskwartier on December 13.
Contact: alexandra.bugge-kristoffersen@wur.nl
🌿 Making Green Active Network Active again
A network with a website to showcase which organizations are involved in sustainability, climate, and urban greenery. They are asking whether there is a need for such an overview and who could help with such a website. A kick-off event will take place on campus on November 18, to which you are cordially invited.
Contact: Rayna en Chloe via gan@wur.nl
🏙️ How do we make Third places in Wageningen better?
Student official Rody Schipper shared research results from the ACT Team that conducted research on Third places and young people in Wageningen. How can we make concrete improvements regarding Third places in Wageningen based on these recommendations? Want more information or to join the discussion with Rody? Please contact Rody:
Contact: rody.schipper@wageningen.nl / studentambtenaar@wageningen.nl
Pitches October 1
On Thursday, October 1st, we held a discussion about social safety in Wageningen. Among ourselves, we talked about topics that are often difficult to discuss, citing our experience when someone is seriously ill as an example. Are you able to set boundaries regarding what you can do for the other person in such situations? Are you allowed to feel your emotions, and are you able and willing to express them when someone asks how you are doing? It felt good that there was a lot of recognition and understanding.
🕺Social safety in Wageningen's nightlife
Nike from popUPop spoke about social safety in nightlife. For example, what do you do if you see someone being harassed? We create a safe nightlife culture together. Starting with 3 workshops, Popupop, together with Wageningen Culture Collective, is committed to raising awareness and fostering local collaborations. Do you want to participate, learn more, give a workshop, or collaborate? Email Nike!
Contact: nike@popupop.nl
❤️🩹 Confidential counselors wanted for volunteers
Machteld from the Wageningen Volunteer Centre (VCW) told us more about the important work of the confidential counsellors. They are a group people can turn to with problems within their volunteer work or organization. They want to expand the group, especially with younger people and people from different cultures. This increases the chance that a volunteer can talk to someone they feel safe with. So, are you, or do you know someone who is curious about others, can listen well without judgment, and is willing to dedicate about 4 to 8 hours a month to this? Or would you like more information and to meet? Send Machteld an email.
Contact: vertrouwenspersoon@vcwageningen.nl
Pitches September 3 - with Movie W and de bblthk
On September 3, we were able to experience and discuss together as residents what it means to be an active citizen. (Active) citizenship is about connection and love for your surroundings, your neighborhood, your city, and nature. From that love comes the drive to want to contribute something naturally. We saw this in the documentary *Samen*, but it was also clear during the pitches and conversations at this Soapbox & Movie.
🌻Living with less toxins is possible!
Patricia from Stroomgebied Zuid-Veluwe and Jan Joost from Grootouders voor het Klimaat gave us a hopeful message: we really can live with less toxins! Want to be part of the solution? Shop toxin-free at one of the locations on gifvrijwageningen.nl. And start a conversation with the people around you. Together, we make a difference for a toxin-free community! For more information or to join this movement, please get in touch.
Contact: patricia@ditislinkesoep.com
❤️ What was meaningful to you this past week?
Michiel told us more about Making Sense, a weekly moment to reflect together on the question: What was meaningful to you this past week? Making Sense focuses on slowing down together, finding wonder, meaning, and conscious living. Everyone is welcome, but Michiel specifically wants to reach more young people who are struggling with something or who have a need for community and a place where they can be themselves. For more information or to share ideas, let Michiel know.
Contact: michiel@thuiswageningen.nl
🚌 An opportunity for asylum seekers to truly participate in the city
Welkom in Wageningen is going to conduct a pilot with residents of the asylum seekers' centre (AZC). Nicole told us that the distance to the city is often a major barrier for AZC residents. Through this pilot, they are investigating whether transport ensures that people can truly participate in city life. A van will run for 4 months on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, but only if there are enough drivers! So, do you have a B driving licence and would you like to help make this pilot a success? Sign up or get in touch!
Contact: welkominwageningen@gmail.com
✨ Room for Grieving and Celebrating again this year.
After a beautiful poem, Sabina told us more about the Rouwen en Vierenkas. It is a place where there is space for grief, to be in silence, to have a conversation with the volunteers, or to write heavenly letters. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to volunteer, or have ideas for the programming or funding, please get in touch.
Contact: welkom@rouwenenvierenwageningen.nl
💪 Documentary "Samen" with Youssef Douzi
Youssef is the initiator of NextGen035 in Hilversum. He is in *Samen*, which we watched together, and took us through an inspiring post-screening discussion. He showed us how you can change the world. And especially on a small scale, close to home. By daring to be vulnerable and stepping out of your own bubble.
Besides these and many other valuable initiatives, it is often precisely in the little things that it lies, such as a cup of coffee with the neighbors or a smile on the street. Connection begins with eye contact, a meeting, or a dream. Let yourself be surprised and keep connecting! And it is also perfectly okay if you don't feel like it today. Tomorrow is another day.
Pitches July 3 - with de bblthk and Wageningen Inclusief
On Friday, July 3, various initiatives came together around the theme of Inclusivity. Anco's exhibition opened at the bblthk, followed by conversation and refreshments organized by Thuis, the House of Active Citizenship, starting at 5:00 PM, and the launch of the new Wageningen Inclusief website.
📸 Exhibition: Sports with a disability in the picture
Anco van den Berg is a photographer who captures athletes with disabilities. He showcases the strength and potential of athletes with a handicap. The project was created to raise awareness, break isolation, and promote sports for people with disabilities. The exhibition is on view at the bblthk through October.
❤️ Connecting with freedom and inclusivity
We connect from the heart with the theme of freedom and inclusivity. For one, an exercise in listening; for another, an exercise in taking up space and indicating what you need. Wageningen Explorers facilitated this using conversation cards based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – What does the right to freedom mean? What does it mean to be able to choose help when you need it?
💬 What is needed for an inclusive city?
At Wageningen Inclusief, various people shared their stories about their disabilities. We listened to real stories that showed that words are not enough to describe what is needed to be an inclusive city. What does it mean in daily life to have a son with Down syndrome, to live with depression, autism and ADHD, or a brain injury?
👉 Website launch Wageningen Inclusive
Alderman Guido van Vulpen officially launched the Wageningen Inclusief website: wageningeninclusief.nl, and expressed the wish to create policy together using the available experiential knowledge. Inclusivity is a continuous dialogue, constantly being alert to what is needed, feeling vulnerability, and never bearing it alone, but *together*. How can you contribute to inclusivity?
It was a special and important evening on the way to a great city for everyone! We ended the evening with songs like 'Liefde in tijden van klimaatverandering' by music duo Gjalt and Guusje, and some food and drinks.
Ons manifest
Wij zijn een groep van bewoners die lokaal een actieve rol spelen binnen het Huis van Actief Burgerschap. Samen hebben we een manifest geschreven om ons richting te geven. Je kunt het hier downloaden:
We hopen je snel te zien bij de bijeenkomsten!
Groetjes Louisa Bosker, Zennu Haile Michael, Robbert Kamphuis, Jelle Postma, Djura Prins, Lars Verhoeff, Elsje van de Weg, Tutku Yuksel en Elles Zink
Nieuwsgierig naar meer?
Neem contact op met Margit. Zij vertelt je graag meer over wat het Huis van Actief Burgerschap voor jou kan betekenen. Je bereikt Margit via margit@thuiswageningen.nl.