Boost je Buurt 2025

In every corner of Amsterdam, initiatives are bubbling up that make the city more social, sustainable, and inclusive. From community-based projects to social enterprises, residents, creatives, and entrepreneurs are working daily to boost their neighbourhood.

In this overview, you'll discover a selection of initiatives from different city districts participating in Boost je Buurt 2025! From Koppie Oplos, where neighbours come together to find solutions, to Droppie, which rewards recycling. From Queer Boxing Project, providing a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to train, to Free Food Market Foundation, which tackles food waste and supports residents.

From Amsterdam Centrum

Koppie Oplos (Manusia) is all about solving neighbourhood issues together—big or small. It is not just a regular café but a place where residents, entrepreneurs, and organisations gather to tackle ideas and challenges in the neighbourhood. Whether it's homelessness or car-sharing, at the "Solution Café," questions are shared and solved collectively.

Queer Boxing Project – Boogieland Foundation: What began as a guerrilla action during COVID-19 has become a lasting initiative. The Boogieland Foundation promotes mental and physical health with free punching bags, audio workouts, and workshops in underserved areas. The Queer Boxing Project provides a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community, especially trans people. In addition to training and community events, a five-day queer summer camp is in the works.

WIJs Bijles: Everyone deserves equal opportunities in education. The WIJs Tutoring Foundation offers tutoring in all subjects and levels at home or in local libraries. Parents who pay for tutoring help fund free lessons for children who otherwise couldn't afford them. WIJs not only help students progress but also reduce inequality in Dutch education.

TKRAMREPUS: It's not about shopping—it's about giving. TKRAMREPUS is a supermarket where you can contribute to fighting poverty and food waste. You can donate food or money and directly help those in need. This "reversed supermarket" harnesses community strength to reduce demand at food banks and make a sustainable impact—it aims to have a location in every major city.

From Amsterdam Noord

Pexpo is all about seeing, making, and experiencing together. Its exhibitions showcase work by established names and hidden talents. In its workshops, artists experiment with different techniques – regardless of age or experience. You can also enjoy a cup of tea, chat, or rent a private space for a creative meeting.

Swap Share: Instead of unnecessary purchases, you swap unused items for something that brings you joy. Swap Share organises local events are organised so everyone – regardless of background – can participate. The goal is to normalise sharing and swapping to reduce waste, bring peace of mind, and create a better world.

Amsterdam Food Circle collects unsold food and distributes it to neighbourhood organisations throughout the city. It supports around 2,000 families weekly, focusing on fresh vegetables, fruit, and bread. The initiative serves people who don't qualify for food banks. Volunteers help strengthen the local community and raise awareness about food waste.

Free Food Market Foundation fights food waste and inequality by offering surplus food for free every week through Helen's Free Food Market, supporting low-income residents. They aim to expand their impact with social neighbourhood shops offering surplus shelf-stable foods, household items, consultation hours, and a community garden.

The Special Social Club makes dancing, sports, and social interaction accessible to all, with special attention to people with disabilities. They lower barriers in nightlife, culture, and sports so everyone feels welcome and can fully participate.

From Amsterdam West

Culture Grub is a social initiative by Nihal Rabbani focused on sustainability, plant-based food, and Palestinian culinary heritage. Through fermentation workshops, neighbourhood meals, catering, film nights, and collaborations with festivals, Culture Grub brings people together through food and storytelling. They are developing a Palestinian dip, catering, and exploring new opportunities in West Amsterdam.

Embark Project by the Mikado Foundation connects young people from vulnerable backgrounds with business leaders to strengthen social cohesion. Youth develop leadership and communication skills while companies gain new perspectives. Since 2018, 320 youth and 310+ business leaders have participated, with partners like Unilever and Mastercard working towards equal opportunities.

Junk Amsterdam: Danceney Gijsbertha founded Junk as an entertainment service and grew into a curated vintage brand with upcycled collections. Since December 2024, it has had a physical store offering unique vintage items and workshops on reviving clothes—a hub for shopping, learning, and sustainable fashion.

Droppie makes recycling accessible and rewarding by encouraging people to return clean materials at drop-off points. Users get paid per kilo via the app or donate to charity if they are unregistered. Collaborating with the city, Tikkie, and Deposit Refund Netherlands, Droppie helps build a circular economy.

From Amsterdam Nieuw-West

Muziekplaats Slotermeer Foundation provides music lessons, workshops, and free trial classes to children and youth in Geuzenveld-Slotermeer. Collaborating with schools and local initiatives, it makes music education accessible to all, boosting confidence, expression, and connection among diverse kids.

MVNG MTTRS uses dance and movement to strengthen mental health and social connection. It offers workshops for companies, inclusive sessions for refugees and locals, and special programs for vulnerable groups. Part of the revenue funds social projects like dance classes in shelters and resilience training for youth.

Turning Tables Foundation is social enterprise that brings together young locals and asylum seekers with weekly language classes, community dinners, and collaborative cooking and catering. Their dream is to grow into a complete social hub – with a restaurant, Arabic lessons, and a youth meeting space.

Boavista Circular turns used cooking oil into eco-friendly soaps and candles. It prevents clogged drains in Amsterdam-West and Nieuw-West and promotes sustainability through workshops, awareness campaigns, and partnerships that embrace circular solutions.

From Amsterdam Oost

Restaurant Elixer: Chefs Eva and Valentijn founded Elixer in 2019 in the Bijlmer and moved to the Indische Buurt in 2023. It offers surprise dinners, great coffee, and drinks while promoting sustainability – for example, with a composting machine. More than a restaurant, Elixer is a circular and social hub that reinvests proceeds into educational and community-focused projects.

We Are Queer is a gym where LGBTQIA+ individuals feel safe and welcome. No binary boxes, no judgment – just fitness your way. Whether you're lifting, dancing, or just here for the community, this is a place where everyone can be themselves.

From Amsterdam Zuidoost

Reform Stigma believes in the power of storytelling and visual expression. It collaborates with artists, organisations, and communities to create impactful projects. From youth dialogues on pressing topics to efforts to combat senior loneliness, the platform promotes diversity, inclusion, and social engagement through art and activism.

Southeast 020 is a gift shop in Southeast Amsterdam focused on local art and culture. The store is a meeting place for creators, entrepreneurs, and community members. Unique, handmade products reflect the neighbourhood's diversity. Partnering with photographers, filmmakers, and artisans boosts visibility and economic opportunity for local talent.

Yemaya's Vegan Corner: Through vegan food, Yemayá's Community brings residents, students, and entrepreneurs together in Reigersbos. With an approachable style, they make plant-based eating accessible and promote a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Workshops, tastings, and events show that eating well without meat or fish is delicious and affordable.

Black Men Talk helps improve the mental health and socioeconomic status of Black men in the Netherlands through talk sessions, workshops, and panels. Provide a safe space to openly discuss emotions and support their role as strong community role models. The goal is a neighbourhood centre where mental health and opportunity come first.

From Weesp

Feest in Weesp offers a tiny house full of creativity and fun. Former nurse Charlotte turned her passion for art into a place for workshops, kids' parties, and business events. Built with help from local craftspeople, it's now a vibrant space where people of all ages can create and connect.

Club Brood bakes local sourdough bread with just flour, water, salt, and time. Demi van Vliet's 9-square-meter micro-bakery handcrafts every loaf, delivering it by cargo bike to Weesp, Muiden, and Driemond. Club Brood aims to build a sustainable food chain and reduce ecological impact.

From Amsterdam Zuid

Walk with Tom: Father Tom and daughter Josephine collect and share Amsterdam stories. What started as Tom's archive became a creative venture with 58k+ Instagram followers and 3k newsletter subscribers. Ommetje met Tom ('Walk with Tom') offers an interactive map of 500+ stories and 10 routes, city events, a book, and an audio tour of the Royal Palace.

RENTGLAM is a fashion rental platform for the bold and brave, offering statement pieces and glittery styles. Every item is secondhand and intended to be worn at least 30 times to reduce fashion waste. RENTGLAM brings back the joy of fashion without contributing to throwaway culture.