The Voice of Young Netherlands is the largest debate and speech project in the Netherlands. About 200 secondary schools from all provinces participate in the preliminary rounds held between January and March 2026. Approximately 2,000 students get the chance to practice debating and speechmaking.
Four schools took part in the preliminary round at the provincial hall. The day was opened by Deputy De Vries. The Dockinga College team won the preliminary round due to their strong teamwork, good personal examples, and solid substantiation. The team thereby earns a place in the eighth final on March 13. The second prize went to CSG Comenius – Marienburg from Leeuwarden. The winner of the speech contest also advances in the national track and has a chance to win the prize for the best speech in the Netherlands.
The Voice of Young Netherlands originates from the largest debate and speech competition in the Netherlands, On the way to the House of Commons, and gives young people throughout the Netherlands a platform to make their voices heard. The project was festively launched last autumn in The Hague.
About the organization
The Voice of Young Netherlands is a project by Het Debatbureau and Stichting Jongerendebat en Samenleving. All Dutch provinces are partners in the project: in each province there is a preliminary round at the provincial hall, with an extra day in the provinces of Gelderland, Noord-Holland, and Zuid-Holland. The project is co-financed by the European Union and Vfonds.