The Keys2Leiden Kickoff Meeting
On August 28, 2026, the team behind Keys2Leiden gathered for their very first kickoff meeting to mark the official start of their European Solidarity Corps project. As the supporting organisation, Stichting yEUth joined the group in Leiden to lay the groundwork for a ten-month initiative dedicated to breaking down barriers and connecting the local youth community.
The meeting served as an essential planning day to set working structures and align on key milestones for the project lifecycle. The team reviewed their internal coordination, confirmed their timeline, and discussed the main criteria needed to maintain high European Solidarity Corps quality standards. They also defined their next operational steps, focusing on research frameworks and early outreach to local grassroots groups across the city.
Keys2Leiden was founded to address the social separation that often leaves international students, young migrants, and local residents in distinct bubbles. To solve this, the initiative will map out social enterprises, community centres, repair cafes, and active youth spaces across Leiden. The team plans to produce both a printed physical guide distributed across local libraries and hubs, as well as an interactive virtual platform providing real-time information. Alongside the mapping efforts, the project will organise interactive community workshops at these mapped locations to bring people together around themes of social action, sustainability, and inclusion.
With clear goals agreed upon during the August 28 session, the team is ready to begin field research and engage directly with local initiatives. Stichting yEUth looks forward to offering continuous mentoring and administrative support as Keys2Leiden works to make the city a more unified, accessible home for everyone.
