In the past few months, we from the municipal council have worked hard for students & Stadjers on issues such as nightlife culture, housing, and sustainability. With results! We have listed our Top 10 successes of Student & Stad in 2025 (so far) for you.
1. No closing times in Groningen's nightlife
We have fought hard for keeping the night open successfully. There will be no fixed closing times in Groningen. The freedom to choose when you go out or go home remains intact. We will continue to work for a safe, diverse, and vibrant night.
2. Safe Spaces become the norm at events
Our pilot for Safe Spaces at large events turned out to be a great success and is now becoming the standard in Groningen. Additionally, it is being explored whether we can apply this concept to busy party nights in the entertainment district. Safe going out must be the norm for everyone.
3. Fund for tenant protection in the making
The municipality is investigating through our motion whether a legal costs fund, like in The Hague and Amsterdam, can also be introduced in Groningen. Such a fund lowers the financial barrier for tenants to approach the subdistrict court in case of misconduct. A step towards a fairer rental market with better protection.
4. Allowances for students without loan capacity
Students are excluded as a group from municipal allowances because they can borrow from DUO. However, by excluding students as a group, those who cannot (or may not) borrow are now also excluded. This means there is a small group of residents in our municipality who may possibly live below the poverty line but have no right to allowances due to a faulty assumption... Thanks to our motion, the municipality is now investigating how this group can still be supported. After all, security of existence should not have exceptions, especially not when based on a faulty assumption.
5. More space for nightlife culture, event culture, and other cultural incubators
Due to our initiative, it is now being considered how the municipality can revitalize its startup fund for cultural initiatives. In the past, this fund played a crucial role in initiatives like EM2, Paradigm, and Stadslab. For example, through guarantees, the municipality can give more space to entrepreneurial Stadjers with creative ideas that do not qualify for a regular bank loan. By offering more room for such initiatives, we keep our City vibrant.
6. CO2 pricing in projects
Our pilot for CO2 pricing in civil engineering projects was a success! The municipality is now also investigating whether this can be applied in spatial planning and housing construction with the condition that it does not delay housing construction. This way, we make more sustainable choices and build enough homes.
7. Nightlife spots for under-18s
For youths under 18, there are currently no places to go out in the City. Moreover, we see that many young people hang out on the streets or that when they are allowed to go out, they still may not handle it well. Therefore, we have asked the municipality to investigate whether accessible and safe nightlife spots for those under 18 can be created. A safe and inclusive night begins with there being a place for everyone.
8. Also possibilities for regulated forms of sex work outside Nieuwstad
Through our motion, there is now collaboration with sex workers to look for additional regulated and safe locations outside Nieuwstad. Not every sex worker wants to work behind a window in Nieuwstad, while this is currently the only legal option. For sex workers who prefer to work under regulation but do not want to work behind a window in Nieuwstad, solutions are now being sought. This way, we stimulate more freedom of choice and safety in the sex work industry.
9. More space for bike, chill, and green platforms
Due to our initiative, there will be more space for resident initiatives to temporarily transform car parking spots into bike parking spots. The possibility for resident initiatives to temporarily transform car parking spots into green areas or benches is also being explored. In short: more room for residents to take matters into their own hands and make our City more livable.
10. Cheap coffee back in the Forum
A small victory, but definitely one with great symbolic value. Thanks to our efforts, affordable coffee is once again available in the Forum. This way, we keep the living room of our City accessible to everyone.
What do these successes have in common? They all originated from ideas of students and young people who secured a seat at the table in the Town Hall. Because in the youngest municipality in the Netherlands, it is essential that not only is there talk about students and young people, but that students and young people are also at the table where decisions are made!
Do you have ideas on what else we should tackle or do you perhaps have the ambition to become active in the Student & Stad faction? Please send us a message or drop by for a cup of coffee (+31 6 44366246). Together, we will create policies that work in Groningen!
