Heemstede introduces Youth Ribbon to honor young community heroes
Heemstede is celebrating its young changemakers with a new Youth Ribbon award. Nominate a child or teen aged 6-18 who’s making a difference in the community—nominations close 30 October. The mayor will present the awards on Universal Children’s Day.
| Key Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Award Name | Youth Ribbon |
| Eligible Age Group | 6 to 18 years old |
| Nominator Age Requirement | 21 years or older |
| Supporting Nominations Needed | At least 2 (non-family members) |
| Nomination Deadline | 30 October 2025 |
| Award Ceremony Date | 20 November 2025 (Universal Children’s Day) |
| Jury Composition | Individuals working closely with youth |
| Municipality | Heemstede, Noord-Holland |
The municipality of Heemstede is responsible for fostering community engagement and recognizing the contributions of its residents. By introducing the Youth Ribbon, the local government aims to highlight the positive impact of young people and encourage civic participation among all age groups.
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Nominate a child or young person for a Youth Ribbon
Do you know a child or young person who is doing something special for Heemstede without expecting anything in return? This year, for the first time, you have the opportunity to nominate this child or young person for a Youth Ribbon. A Youth Ribbon is a token of appreciation from the municipality for young people who have achieved something special or who are making an unselfish contribution to making Heemstede a more beautiful, better, or better-known place.
The Youth Ribbon will be awarded this year on 20 November (Universal Children's Day) by the mayor. Mayor Falgun Binnendijk: "We all know the ribbon that is awarded on the day before King's Day. Residents who have been contributing to our municipality for years receive recognition for their special efforts. But there are also young people who are making a special contribution. We are happy to shine a spotlight on them as well."
Who can you nominate?
You can nominate a child or young person aged between 6 and 18 if you yourself are 21 or older. Your nomination must be supported by at least two other people who are not family members of the nominated person. Your application must be submitted by 30 October at the latest. Read more on our webpage about the Youth Ribbon.
What happens next?
All applications will be assessed by a jury consisting of people who work closely with young people in Heemstede. The jury will determine whether the nominated children/young people qualify. Alderman Sam Meerhoff: “We believe in the power of community. Everyone should be able to participate and feel seen. I am pleased with young people who contribute to making Heemstede a better place and thus help strengthen our community. It is wonderful that we can now also highlight these young people by awarding them a Youth Ribbon.”