Create a Safer Campus

Do you have a vision on how to improve safety, inclusion and equality on your campus? Are you ambitious and do you believe in the power of innovation? Would you like to turn your ideas into a concrete project?

The GRENSVERLEGGERS programme offers the perfect opportunity to develop your leadership skills and realise your own Safe Campus initiative within 10 weeks.

''GRENSVERLEGGERS envisions an inclusive campus where everyone feels safe, gets treated equally, can move freely and where everyone can develop their full potential, regardless of their identity and/or background.''

What does the project involve?

The GRENSVERLEGGERS Safe Campus edition is a unique programme for young people (18 to 28 years old) that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and tools to push boundaries and make a positive impact within the campus. Over 10 weeks, you will receive valuable training and be mentored with others to develop and realise your own initiative.

We develop our own Safe Campus initiative using Theory U; a process for identifying complex issues and creating fundamental change. The process consists of three phases:

1. Exploration & Connection - In the first three weeks, you explore your chosen theme together and connect with your target audience. What is your specific theme about? How does it live and play among your target group? What are their needs?

2. Deepening & Co-creation - In the following three weeks, you go deeper. You explain exactly what your project is about and where there are opportunities for an initiative. In co-creation, you come up with various ideas and work them out.

3. Realise & Implement - In the last four weeks, we sprint to the finishline together and realise the initiatives, with the goals and positive impacts we had in mind.

What kind of training sessions and workshops?

The sessions within this programme contribute to personal development, the process and transition between phases, and of course in setting up your own initiative. Among other things, you will receive training in leadership, inclusive decision-making (Deep Democracy), community building (Go Deep), project management, communication, collaboration, and creative techniques for co-creation. You will also receive in-depth workshops on specific themes, such as diversity and inclusion, stereotypes and prejudices, gender inequality, emancipation, (sexually) transgressive behaviour, and social safety.

Training sessions take place over five days. During intermediate weeks (your own schedule), you will work with your project group and your coach to develop and realise your own initiative.

What will it bring you?

  • A once in a lifetime experience within an environment that allows you to explore and experiment.

  • An investment in your personal growth and improvement of your campus, student association and city.

  • Free training session with a € 3.000,- value

  • A project budget to realise your initiative

  • A €150,- reward for you after the completion of your initiative

  • Travel allowance to and from training locations

  • A certificate upon completion to include in your curriculum vitae (CV)

why would you sign up to GRENSVERLEGGERS?

  • Personal growth: Discover your true potential, invest in your personal development and build your CV and/or portfolio.

  • Positive Impact: Contribute to the safety and well-being of your campus community with an initiative of your own that you can be proud of.

  • Talent development: Expand your knowledge and develop practical skills in inclusive leadership, collaboration and project management that will be invaluable in your future career.

  • Expand your network: Expand your professional network by connecting with like-minded individuals and experts from across the country.

The GRENSVERLEGGERS programme is your chance to change the world around you. Join us and become a pioneer of positive change on your campus! Apply today and discover how far you can push your limits. A safer campus starts with you!

First edition 2nd of March - 8th of May 2024

48 participants from all over the country participate this round

This edition is a collaboration with:

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

  • GRENSVERLEGGERS has as one of its core objectives to connect young people and professionals. In addition, the workshops are interactive and we get down to practical work right away. We have decided that you can only physically participate in the programme.

  • Within the Safe Campus edition of the GRENSVERLEGGERS programme, the focus is on improving a safe and inclusive campus, to which your own initiative contributes. The regular programme, on the other hand, is open, meaning you will explore with others what social issue you will work on and in what context.

  • In total, there are 50 places within the GRENSVERLEGGERS programme. We operate a full=full principle, so we can make sure everything is clear to you as soon as possible. Are all places filled? Then sign up anyway, because you will be put on the waiting list. If someone drops out, you will be told immediately.

  • You can register up to two weeks before the start of the programme. This leaves plenty of time to get acquainted and inform you so that you can get off to a good start. The application deadline for upcoming spring round(s) is Saturday 17 February 2024.

  • GRENSVERLEGGERS is for young people aged between 18 and 28. Are you younger or older than the set age limit, but eager to join? Just send an email to checkin@grensverleggers.nu and we'll be in touch!

  • No, not at all! The GRENSVERLEGGERS programme is designed so that you can explore, experiment and push boundaries. We are there for people from all backgrounds, identities and educational backgrounds, from those with no experience to those with a little more experience. This allows us, but especially you, to learn new things from and with each other.

  • No. The GRENSVERLEGGERS programme is completely free of charge. The programme is funded by Community Service Time (MDT). They make it possible for us to offer it at no cost for participation.

  • The programme takes place at various locations (Vinkeveen, Austerlitz, Utrecht and other central locations). GRENSVERLEGGERS stands for pushing limits and stepping out of your own bubble. The training sessions therefore take place at locations outside your comfort zone and everyday context, with the aim of stimulating and inspiring you.

  • For your participation in the trainings and the realisation of your own initiative, you will receive a certificate. This will be awarded at the end of the 10-week programme, during the closing event. This is a festive celebration where we celebrate the project results together and invite professionals from the field.

  • The GRENSVERLEGGERS programme lasts 10 weeks. Training sessions take place on 5 moments and in the weeks in between you work independently as well as together with your project group and coach to develop and realise your own initiative. You can plan the intermediate weeks yourself.

  • The Safe Campus programme starts on Saturday 2 March 2024 with a first training weekend. Registration is possible until Saturday 17 February 2024.