Buddy voor Elkaar
Imagine this: You’ve just moved to the Brainport region. Everything is new, the language, the surroundings, and the people. How wonderful would it be to receive some help through your children’s school, your sports club, hobby, or neighbourhood to find your way, practise the language of our home together, and feel truly settled? That’s exactly what Buddy voor Elkaar is all about. With this initiative, we bring locals and newcomers together. Locals help new residents get involved in community life, through clubs, schools, volunteering, and neighbourhood activities. This way, new friendships grow, and together we build a socially strong region.
What is Buddy voor Elkaar?
Buddy voor Elkaar is an initiative of ASML in collaboration with Brainport voor Elkaar. With Buddy voor Elkaar, residents of the Brainport region and newcomers, including international knowledge workers, expats, students, and refugees, come together. They form buddy groups in places where they already meet, such as schools, clubs, or neighbourhoods. With the support of a buddy coach, they organise activities and practise the language together. Equality and a sense of humour are at the heart of it all.
For newcomers, this offers a safe and friendly way to practise Dutch and find their place more quickly. For locals, it’s a chance to discover other cultures, feel proud of their region, and do something meaningful for someone else.
How does it work?
Community clubs, primary and secondary schools, scouting groups, and sports clubs, these are all places where locals and newcomers meet. They can sign up to take part in Buddy voor Elkaar to get to know one another better and look beyond their own social circles.
Together, we’ll launch a local campaign at your meeting place to inspire more people to join, both locals and internationals. We provide engaging posters and flyers to help raise awareness and attract participants.
Getting started with the Buddy Quartet Game and Chat Box
Our Buddy voor Elkaar community coach will help your group get started, together with your organisation’s volunteer coordinator, internationalisation officer, or another local organiser. You’ll receive the exclusive Big Buddy Box, which includes Brainport-themed quartet card games and chat boxes to practise the language in a fun way.
After that, you’ll work together on volunteer activities, the perfect way to get to know each other better while doing something meaningful for your community. This could be anything from organising a sports tournament for your children, a neighbourhood treasure hunt, or cooking for local residents, to celebrating Sinterklaas at school.
You’ll also be invited to join one of the Buddy voor Elkaar-events in Brainport, where you can meet even more enthusiastic people from all over the world. Together, we feel at home in Brainport!
