On March 18, 2026, elections will be held for the municipal council and neighborhood and village councils. Rotterdam residents can register as candidates for a neighborhood or village council until January 19.

Many Rotterdam residents have improved their neighborhoods over the past years as neighborhood council members. Now that their term is over, there is room for new council members. You work on real solutions and have direct contact with the municipal council.

Do you want more greenery in Overschie, cleaner streets in Zevenkamp, or more attention to safety in Pernis? These are just some of the topics where you can make a difference as a neighborhood council member. For example, Ciana Kokos dedicated herself to youth over the past 4 years: In Schiebroek, there were complaints about youth nuisance on the streets. Not surprising, as almost nothing was organized for them. 

Together with peers from the neighborhood, she worked on a Youth Hub: a place where young people can easily drop in, play games, do sports, or just relax. That the hub is now there is really the best thing I have done.

Heart for your neighborhood

As a neighborhood council member, you listen to what residents and entrepreneurs find important. You talk to people in the neighborhood and pass their ideas on to the municipality. Amaya Arnhem does this in Katendrecht as well. For her, the money you receive for meetings is a nice bonus. But you do it for the residents. Because you have a heart for your neighborhood. I cant imagine living anywhere else but Katendrecht, she says. Thats why I like to talk with residents about how things can be even better here.

Registration

You can participate as an independent candidate (individual), with an association, foundation, group, or through a political party. Registration can be done online via https://www.rotterdam.nl/wijkhub, at the neighborhood hub – for addresses, see the page Neighborhood Hub. Link opens an external page. Or at the Election Desk in the public location Centrum, Coolsingel 40 – entrance Doelwater. 

Conditions

  • You are at least 16 years old on March 18, 2026.
  • You are registered in the neighborhood for which you are a candidate. That means you live in the neighborhood for which you are a candidate.
  • You do not work for the municipality of Rotterdam.

Tasks and compensation

For your efforts, you will receive a compensation of €600 gross per month. 

For more information and registration, visit www.rotterdam.nl/wijkraden. Link opens an external page.