My name is Karlijn Bakker and last year I was the chairwoman of Student&Stad. A political association that is just a bit different. While other parties give young people a place in a youth department, our students themselves sit in the city council of Groningen. Not on the sidelines, but at the table where decisions are made. And that is desperately needed. Together with sister parties in cities like Utrecht and Leiden, we form a growing movement of young people who actively shape their city. Because if a quarter of the city is made up of students, then that voice must also really count.

Groningen is a true student city. One in four residents is a student. Yet, you often see that this group is underrepresented in local politics. Not because students are not involved. On the contrary. They are active in boards, associations, volunteer work, and countless initiatives that make the city lively and progressive. But politics feels far removed for many students. The city council often seems to be the domain of the established order: old white men with stable jobs, ownership houses, and decades of political experience. So where does the voice of those 60,000 students go?

That is exactly why Student & Stad exists. Not as a youth department of a national party, but as an independent, local political association. We are not a stepping stone to a larger party, but a direct representation of young people in the highest governing body of the municipality. Students who sit at the table during decision-making. Who directly place the interests of their generation on the political agenda.

And that is not just symbolic. In recent years we have achieved real results. Whether it is about affordable student housing, space for culture and nightlife, safe bike paths, or a more sustainable city; our contribution is concrete and visible. We do not only think about today but build the city of tomorrow. The city in which we want to continue living, working, and contributing.

What has stuck with me the most this year is how powerful it is when young people themselves speak out. When we not only advocate for change but also realize it. Local politics must be a reflection of society. And in Groningen that means: students are part of it. Not as an afterthought, but as a full-fledged voice.

That is why it is essential that we continue to invest in the political representation of young people. Not just around elections, but throughout the year. Because a city that takes its students seriously is a city that dares to look ahead. And Groningen can be proud of that.

Karlijn Bakker

Chairwoman Student&Stad