On Friday, November 7, 2025, about 40 youths from the province of Utrecht participated in the Provincial Youth Debate at the Utrecht provincial government building. Youths aged 12 to 18, from all educational levels, were given the unique opportunity to share their opinions on current issues affecting the province of Utrecht. The debate was organized by the National Youth Council (NJR) in cooperation with the province of Utrecht.

During the Provincial Youth Debate, youths engaged in discussions with members of the Provincial States about themes important to them. This year’s themes were:

  • How can youths be more directly involved in provincial politics?
  • How can youths contribute to nature restoration and biodiversity in their own environment – and what role can the province play in this?
  • Sports for youths, especially students, seems to be getting more expensive. How can the province encourage youths to keep participating in sports?

Together they thought about solutions and made proposals to improve provincial policies on these themes. In the afternoon, Provincial States member Imraan El Hamdaoui (GreenLeft), Provincial States member Frank van Breukelen (FvD), and committee member Jan-Hendrik van der Linden (SGP) joined to discuss and deepen the youths’ ideas.

Making Their Voices Heard

As a province, we find it important that this debate takes place; it gives youths the chance to make their voices heard, actively debate topics that affect them, and discover provincial politics up close.

From Provincial to National

The debate in Utrecht is part of a national network of Provincial Youth Debates, organized by the NJR in all twelve provinces. Afterwards, twelve youths were selected to participate in the National Youth Debate in the House of Representatives, where they can directly present their ideas to Members of Parliament, State Secretaries, and Ministers.