BO stands for Be Open-Minded. The BO Diversity foundation is committed to embracing more diversity in Breda. Through various campaigns, exhibitions, training sessions, and events, they raise awareness about prejudices, stereotypes, and taboos. Everyone should be able to feel safe and welcome. And above all, be themselves!

Read more about BO Diversity here.

Every day, perfectly good vegetables and fruit are rejected because they are too big, too small, too curved or too straight for the supermarket shelves. It's a waste of precious food and all the work and love that the farmer put into it. No Waste Army is fighting against this food waste.
Connected chefs make durable soups, juices and sauces from these products. Those who join the No Waste Army will receive a richly filled box of these delicious products every quarter. Everyone is happy!
No Waste Army is an initiative of Breda Maakt Mij Blij and Boerschappen and won the election for the Great Green Idea 2023 from the eponymous programme on NPO 1. Within a year, almost 15,000 warriors against food waste have already joined!
View the website for more information: www.nowastearmy.nl

People are not equal, but equal in value. Whether you have fled from a war-torn area or live in a safe environment with a stable job and accommodation. At Buddy to Buddy, equality is paramount.

The foundation connects engaged citizens with refugees. The goal: to break the social isolation of asylum seekers. At the same time, Buddy to Buddy increases the involvement of residents of Breda in the reception of refugees. For both the buddy and the refugee, contact is enriching and broadens each other's world. The foundation organises all kinds of activities to bring people from Breda and refugees together.

Join us and become a buddy!

If it were up to the Cultuurkantine, all children and young people living in socially vulnerable situations would have the opportunity to experience art. Children and young people up to 24 years old, from different (cultural) backgrounds, work in the studio of an artist on an artwork. "The art comrades are given the space to expressively depict their life story in a language that everyone understands." The artist ensures a pleasant time in the studio. The duos also do fun things, such as visiting museums or taking photographs. For example, young refugees or foster care children temporarily forget their problems at the artists' studio.

Read more about Art Comrades

We are increasingly hopping on our bikes because cycling is healthy. Luckily, Breda has plenty of beauty to discover by bike.

Unfortunately, not everyone can (anymore) cycle independently. Thanks to enthusiastic people from Breda, the initiative ‘Fietsmaatjes Breda’ (Cycling Buddies Breda) was founded. For them, there are the ‘Fietsmaatjes Breda’, enthusiastic citizens of Breda who enjoy cycling themselves and want everyone to experience this. On an electric tandem bike, they offer people with disabilities or the elderly the opportunity to go out with a volunteer. Together they discover new or familiar places in Breda and its surroundings. A beautiful initiative to combat loneliness and maintain your health.

Sign up as a guest or cycling buddy

Youth who want to make an impact but don't know how, get help from Young Impact. The organisation believes that every young person can already make a difference with their talent. That's why Young Impact travels all over the Netherlands to encourage young people to take action on the themes of climate, society, diversity, equal opportunities, and health. Whether it's a one-off or long-term effort, with a large or small initiative, Young Impact offers progressive inspiration and activation programmes for schools and organisations.

Read more about Young Impact

The founders Monique van Winkel and Irene Nagtzaam saw the diversity in the Geeren-Zuid neighbourhood and the need to help refugees and asylum seekers integrate. Their initiative began in 2013 with residents from the neighbourhood, particularly women of Turkish and Moroccan descent who spent a lot of time at home and did not know how to participate in Dutch society. Monique and Irene then founded the Women's Studio, a place where women could engage in activities together, such as cooking, building a social network.

This initiative grew into ONS label Breda with five professional sectors where people can learn and work. In Geeren-Zuid, a community centre with Ons restaurant was established. Additionally, there is het Naaiatelier, het Klunsteam, the Studio and Mevrouw de Wit.

Read more about ONS label Breda

Breda Actief is there for everyone in Breda who wants to get started with sports and physical activity. For the elderly, adults, young people, children and people with disabilities. To get everyone moving, Breda Actief offers sports and physical activities in Breda. In addition, the organisation is happy to help you find the most suitable sport for you.

In each neighbourhood in Breda, a district sports coach from Breda Actief organises weekly sports activities for different age groups. Good for health, but Breda Actief also promotes a sense of community in the neighbourhood.

Read more about Breda Actief

MOOIWERK is the place for everything related to volunteering in Breda. MOOIWERK wants to turn every resident of Breda into a fan of volunteering.

Get inspired to do volunteer work and check out the job board or take the volunteer test to discover what suits you. As a volunteering organisation, you will receive free advice, for example on recruiting and retaining volunteers. And anyone who volunteers in Breda is welcome to participate for free in the workshops & meetings organised by MOOIWERK!

Read more about MOOIWERK

Breda Maakt Mij Blij is about innovative thinking during the time of COVID-19. Through social media campaigns, this platform, for example, saved 10,000 pumpkins from farmer Chris that were either too big or too small for the supermarket. They also initiated the BeterBoompje campaign for a green Christmas. In the Netherlands, we throw away about 2.5 million Christmas trees every year. What a waste! With BeterBoompje, these disposable trees are replaced by real Christmas trees that can be replanted (and reused).

View more actions by Breda Maakt Mij Blij

Major societal challenges require new forms of collaboration! Urban Living Lab Breda is a vibrant community that, together with residents, businesses, the municipality, and educational institutions of Breda, works on building a sustainable, healthy, livable, and inclusive urban society. For and with the people of Breda! The strength of a living lab lies in bringing together different sectors. By combining perspectives and strengths, you stimulate an innovative and creative process. Together, you come up with ideas that matter, for Breda and its future. And you can experiment with these ideas in the lab to create impact.

Discover Urban Living Lab Breda

Brownies&downieS stands for pure. The employees are genuine, enthusiastic, and pure. The products used to prepare all the delicious lunch dishes are also pure. Brownies&downieS works with fresh and artisanal products. The combination of genuine, special employees and artisanal dishes that are finger-licking good, makes a visit to Brownies&downieS a truly unique experience. So, pure enjoyment! You can find Brownies&downieS on Halstraat.

In addition to Brownies&downieS, you will find a similar concept at JanenAlleman on St. Janstraat and De Uitdaging in Ulvenhout. What really sets these lunchrooms apart is the enthusiastic service! And of course, you can enjoy delicious food there too.

At laundry Jut en Juul, people with a distance to the labour market work. This small-scale day care can be found in the centre of Breda on Sint Janstraat. All employees contribute in their own way to the laundry. At day care Jut en Juul, they look at what someone can do, what they want to learn, and what makes them happy. They consider the individual separately and maintain close contact with parents/guardians and/or family. By keeping the day care small-scale, each employee receives the attention they need. And it remains pleasant and personal!

The COC Tilburg-Breda stands for social acceptance, safety, and inclusion of LGBTQI+ individuals, among others in Breda. The COC functions as a network, provides a safe space, and collaborates with the municipality and other partners to strengthen the social acceptance, safety, and inclusion of LGBTQI+ individuals.
It is an advocacy organisation based on voluntary participation, which means that anyone can work with and for the COC as a volunteer. Inclusion is for everyone!