Boost je Buurt 2025: Meet the initiatives

At Koppie Oplos (Manusia), it’s all about solving local issues—big and small—together.

It’s not your average coffee shop, but a space where residents, entrepreneurs, and organizations come together to tackle neighborhood challenges. Whether it’s homelessness or shared cars, the “Solution Café” invites everyone to share their questions and work toward collective answers.

What began as a guerrilla initiative during COVID-19 has grown into a lasting movement.

Boogieland Foundation promotes mental and physical well-being through free punching bags, audio workouts, and workshops in areas where they’re most needed. The Queer Boxing Project offers a safe sports environment for the LGBTQIA+ community, with special focus on trans people. Alongside training sessions and community events, a five-day queer summer camp is on the way—complete with boxing, yoga, and strength & conditioning.

Everyone deserves equal opportunities in education. WIJs Bijles offers tutoring in all subjects and at all levels, either at home or in local libraries.

Parents who pay for sessions help fund free lessons for families who can’t afford them. In doing so, WIJs supports individual students and helps reduce inequality across the Dutch education system.

Don’t shop; Give instead. TKRAMREPUS is a reverse supermarket where you donate food or money to support people in need and fight food waste.

It channels community power to help meet the growing demand at food banks and create long-term impact, with the ultimate goal of opening a location in every major city.

Pexpo is all about looking, creating, and experiencing together. Its exhibitions showcase work from both well-known names and hidden talents.

In the workshops, artists of all ages and experience levels experiment with different techniques. But you can also just drop by for a cup of tea, have a chat, or rent a private space for a creative meeting.

Swap Share is all about consuming more sustainably.

Instead of buying new, you trade things you no longer use for something that makes you happy. They organize local events that are open to everyone—regardless of background. Their goal: normalize swapping and sharing, reduce waste, bring peace of mind, and help build a better world.

Voedsel Cirkel Amsterdam collects unsold food and distributes it to neighborhood organizations across the city.

The network supports around 2,000 families each week, with a focus on fresh produce like vegetables, fruit, and bread. It’s aimed at people who fall outside the food bank system, such as those who earn just a bit too much or lack residency status. Volunteers power the operation—strengthening local communities and raising awareness around food waste.

The Free Food Market fights both food waste and inequality by offering surplus food for free every week through Helen’s Free Food Market, for locals with limited means.

To expand its impact, the foundation plans to open neighborhood stores that sell long-shelf-life goods and household items (including returned products), offer advice services, and create a community garden.

De Special Social Club makes dancing, sports, and social interaction accessible for everyone, with a special focus on people with disabilities.

They work to lower barriers in nightlife, culture, and sports—making sure everyone feels welcome and can participate fully.

Culture Grub is a social initiative by Nihal Rabbani focused on sustainability, plant-based food, and Palestinian culinary heritage.

Through fermentation workshops, community dinners, catering, film nights, and festival collaborations, Culture Grub brings people together around stories and food. Right now, they’re developing a Palestinian dip, offering catering, and exploring new opportunities in Amsterdam West.

With the Embark Project, Mikado Impact connects young people from vulnerable groups with business leaders to strengthen social cohesion.

Youth gain essential skills like leadership and communication, while professionals gain new perspectives. This mutual exchange reduces prejudice and fosters more inclusive work environments. Since 2018, Embark has supported 320 young people and engaged over 310 professionals, partnering with organizations like Unilever, Mastercard, and Kraft Heinz to build a future where everyone has equal opportunities.

Founded by Danceney Gijsbertha, Junk Amsterdam began as an entertainment service and grew into a curated vintage brand with an upcycled collection in 2023.

Since December 2024, Junk has had a physical store, offering not only unique vintage pieces but also workshops that teach people how to give clothing a second life. The store is a meeting place where visitors can shop, create, and learn about sustainable fashion and self-expression.

Droppie makes recycling easy and rewarding by encouraging people to drop off clean materials at modern collection points.

Through the Droppie app, users receive a reward per kilo of waste, while unregistered users can choose to donate their contribution to a good cause. With innovative tech and partnerships—including the City of Amsterdam, Tikkie, and Statiegeld Nederland—Droppie is helping drive the transition to a circular economy.

Muziekplaats Slotermeer gives children and young people in Geuzenveld-Slotermeer the opportunity to explore music through instrument lessons, workshops, and free trial classes.

By working with schools and neighborhood initiatives, the organization makes music education accessible to everyone. In doing so, they build children’s confidence, encourage self-expression, and bring together kids from diverse backgrounds.

MVNG MTTRS uses dance and movement to boost mental health and strengthen social connection. The organization offers workshops and energizers for businesses, inclusive sessions for refugees and neighborhood residents, and special programs for vulnerable groups. A portion of the income supports social projects like dance programs in shelters and resilience training for youth.

Turning Tables is a social enterprise that brings together young urban residents and asylum seekers through weekly language lessons, community dinners, and joint cooking and catering activities in Amsterdam-West.

And they’re ready to grow—from a language café into a vibrant social hub where learning, working, and connecting all come together. Think: a restaurant, Arabic language classes, and a meeting place for people under 30.

Boavista Circular Cleaning Products turns used cooking oil into eco-friendly cleaning soap and candles.

By collecting used oil, they help prevent clogs in the sewage systems of Amsterdam-West and New West, while contributing to a more sustainable city. Through awareness campaigns, workshops, and partnerships, Boavista inspires eco-conscious consumers and businesses to reduce waste and embrace circular solutions.

Chefs Eva and Valentijn started Elixer in 2019 in the Bijlmer and moved to the Indische Buurt in 2023.

At Elixer, you can drop by for a surprise dinner, a great cup of coffee, or a drink—while behind the scenes, they’re working toward a more sustainable city, including developing their own composting machine. But Elixer isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a circular and social hub where sustainable food and green initiatives meet. Revenue from the restaurant, donations, and bartering is reinvested into educational and community-based projects.

We Are Queer is the gym where everyone from the LGBTQIA+ community feels safe and welcome.

No binary boxes, no judgment—just moving your body your way. Whether you’re lifting weights, dancing between sets, or just coming for the community, everyone is free to be themselves here. It’s all about making fitness accessible, inclusive, and—above all—fun.

Reform Stigma believes in the power of storytelling and visual expression, working with artists, organizations, and communities to bring impactful projects to life.

Through creative initiatives and events, the platform sparks civic engagement. Projects like Gen-Z Dialogue challenge young people to discuss current social topics, while others focus on combating loneliness among seniors. With a strong emphasis on hyper-diversity and inclusivity, Reform Stigma creates space for dialogue, art, and activism.

Zuidoost020 is a gift shop in Amsterdam Southeast focused on local art and culture.

It’s a space where creative makers, entrepreneurs, and the community come together. Here, you’ll find unique, handmade products that reflect the diversity of the neighborhood. By collaborating with photographers, videographers, and artisans, Zuidoost020 not only boosts the area’s visibility but also creates economic opportunities for local talent.

Yemayá’s Community brings together local residents, students, and entrepreneurs in her vegan corner in Reigersbos.

With an approachable, no-fuss vibe, she makes plant-based food accessible while encouraging a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Through workshops, tastings, and educational events, Yemayá shows that eating healthy without meat or fish is not only possible—it’s delicious and affordable. The long-term goal: to build a platform where locals grow food together, share knowledge, and build a healthier neighborhood.

Feest in Weesp is a tiny house full of creativity and joy.

Former nurse Charlotte embraced her passion for art and built a space for workshops, children’s parties, and company events. With the help of local craftspeople, she brought the tiny house to life—now it’s an inspiring spot where people of all ages can come together to create, explore, and celebrate.

Club Brood bakes local, artisanal sourdough bread using just four ingredients: flour, water, salt, and time.

Founded by Demi van Vliet, this microbakery operates out of just 9 square meters in Weesp, where everything is handmade. Bread is delivered by cargo bike to homes in Weesp, Muiden, and Driemond—with a mission to build a more sustainable food chain and reduce ecological impact.

Student Community Leaders supports vulnerable students in making a confident transition into higher education.

Through a four-week leadership academy at the University of Amsterdam, VU, and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, students receive guidance in personal development and essential study skills. By collaborating with schools, community centers, and youth organizations, the initiative promotes equal opportunities and prepares young people for future leadership roles.

Father Tom and daughter Josephine explore, collect, and share stories about Amsterdam.

What started as Tom’s personal collection of city tales grew into a creative venture with over 58,000 Instagram followers and 3,000 newsletter subscribers. Ommetje met Tom is developing an interactive map featuring 500+ stories and 10 walking routes, and they also organize monthly events, wrote a book, and created an audio tour for the Royal Palace on Dam Square.

RENTGLAM is a fashion rental platform for the bold and the brave, offering statement pieces with daring cuts and lots of sparkle.

Every item is second-hand and meant to be worn at least 30 times to reduce fashion waste and the negative impact of the industry. RENTGLAM aims to rekindle people’s love for fashion—making unique outfits accessible so you can shine every time, without contributing to throwaway culture.