Young leaders gather in Zwolle to shape child-friendly municipalities
Over eighty child mayors, including Tess from Eerbeek, convened in Zwolle to share ideas for safer, greener, and more fun communities. Their proposals, like improved school playgrounds and bike parking, highlight what matters most to children today.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | National Day of Child Mayors |
| Location | Zwolle, Overijssel |
| Date | March 28, 2026 |
| Number of Child Mayors | Over 80 |
| Participant | Tess Modderkolk (Child Mayor of Eerbeek) |
| Accompanied by | Deputy Mayor Steven van de Graaf |
| Key Themes | Outdoor play, traffic safety, safe living environment, health |
| Tess’s Proposal | Fun school playground with play equipment, bike parking with cameras |
Municipalities in the Netherlands appoint child mayors to represent the voices of young citizens in local governance. These child mayors participate in events like this to share insights and influence policies that directly impact children’s daily lives.
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Tess attends National Day of Child Mayors
Ten days after the municipal elections, more than eighty child mayors from across the Netherlands gathered in Zwolle for the National Day of Child Mayors. One of them was Tess Modderkolk from Eerbeek, who has served as our municipality’s child mayor since November 13, 2025. She was accompanied by Deputy Mayor Steven van de Graaf.
The child mayors shared their experiences today at the Overijssel provincial house in Zwolle. They attended various workshops and presented their plans to make municipalities even more child-friendly. Tess had developed an excellent plan for the most fun school playground, complete with various play equipment. She also proposed a bike parking facility equipped with cameras and plenty of plants and flowers. Her plan was discussed during one of the workshops, with a particular focus on safety around school playgrounds and playgrounds. The child mayors also received tips on how to further advance their plans.
Informative and full of inspiration
The day was opened by the King’s Commissioner in Overijssel, Andries Heidema, the child mayors of Zwolle, Melek and Eleonore, and Mayor Peter Snijders of Zwolle. Tess looks back on an informative day, during which she also met many fellow child mayors. Deputy Mayor Steven van de Graaf also gained a lot of inspiration. “Key themes were daily outdoor play, traffic safety, a safe living environment, and health. It was great to see and hear how this group of young child mayors discussed these topics with each other and made it clear what is important for children in this area.”