Empowering Youth Through Place, Purpose & Possibility
How Utrecht, Antwerp & Marseille
Shape Our Work
Place isn’t just where we live—it’s how we grow, relate, and reimagine ourselves. We Are Streetwise begins with the city—not as a backdrop, but as a living system with its own culture, challenges, and energy. Discover how each city in our network is shaping and being shaped by this project.
Utrecht
A dense, multicultural city in the heart of the Netherlands, Utrecht is a place of contrasts—where office towers stand beside canals, and neighbourhoods like Kanaleneiland pulse with both challenge and promise. Known for its inclusivity ("anyone can become Utrechter") and strong local identity, the city offers fertile ground for youth empowerment.
Local potential
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Sports icons and local pride (e.g., FC Utrecht)
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Vibrant community organisations
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University city with engaged researchers & youth
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Strong sense of belonging & openness to newcomers
Our focus
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Reaching youth in neighbourhoods like Rivierenwijk & Kanaleneiland
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Collaborating with sports and street-level mentors
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Strengthening trust and bridging the education–home–street divide
Antwerpen
A city of diamonds, docks, and deep-rooted diversity, Antwerp reflects the world in one place. With 1 in 3 children growing up in poverty and a political climate that can stigmatize, it's also a city where grassroots energy and creative youth movements spark resilience.
Local potential
Our focus
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Strong, experienced network of youth organisations
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Vibrant community life in areas like Borgerhout
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Open-mindedness in public funding for local initiatives
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Proven track record of participatory approaches
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Empowering youth outside traditional support lines
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Sharing inclusive youth work methods
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Supporting grassroots initiatives with training and visibility
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Advocating for more representative policy
Marseille
Sun-drenched and spontaneous, Marseille is France’s oldest city—part port, part poetry, with a high youth population, high unemployment, and high energy. It is a Mediterranean mosaic of cultures, ideas, and contradictions.
Local potential
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Strong creative industries (rap, street art, gastronomy)
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Community pride through Olympique de Marseille (OM)
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Entrepreneurial potential through social innovation
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Unique multicultural identity and accessible public dialogue
Our focus
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Turning street skills into entrepreneurship
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Building local pride and participation
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Embedding youth in storytelling and team roles
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Connecting personal dreams with local economy & identity