From 3–5 June 2025, YES Forum held its General Assembly and Annual Event in Groningen (NL), in partnership with CMO STAMM. Under the theme “Pathways to a Fair Europe”, the event brought together 61 participants from 11 countries to explore how research and international cooperation can help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Participants were welcomed by local officials and introduced to Groningen’s specific challenges, including high poverty rates and the social impact of gas extraction-related earthquakes. The event highlighted how EU-funded programmes and cross-border cooperation can support local youth and social work.
Local insight
Participants were welcomed by Pascal Roemers, Regional Minister, during a visit to the Province House. Roemers highlighted the particular challenges faced by the region of Groningen, which has a higher poverty rate than other areas of the Netherlands.
Han Heftig provided an overview of the social impacts of the earthquakes caused by gas extraction in Groningen, focusing particularly on the experiences of young people. He emphasised the emotional toll on young people, many of whom face ongoing instability and uncertainty about their future as a result of deteriorating living conditions.
The strength of international cooperation
The event also explored how international cooperation can enhance the impact of local organisations through concrete examples of EU funding programmes and collaboration topics, with a presentation of the YES Forum as an example of this success.
Attendees gained valuable insight into intergenerational poverty and its effects on young people’s lives, supported by data from CMO STAMM and Together Trust’s research. Participants and speakers then engaged in a lively exchange on opportunities for action in youth and social work practice, as well as at the policy level.
Furthermore, the event highlighted practical approaches from various countries to tackle poverty, ranging from housing initiatives and vocational education and training (VET) to financial education, family support programmes, and assistance for young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs).
New members and a renewed Board
The members Annual General Assembly took also place in Groningen, where members renwed the Board's mandate for two more years and welcomed two new organisations to the network: Stichting SCN (NL) and ipcenter.at (AT).
