D-TAP FOUNDATION
Club17
SDG-Challenge
MVS 2026
3 Cities 12 Teams 1 mission
Connecting Maassluis, Vlaardingen & Schiedam through education, innovation and social impact.
About Club17
Club17 is a cross-sector collaboration platform where people, organisations and generations come together to create positive change. We believe that the best solutions emerge when young people, businesses, governments, educational institutions, non-profit organisations and local communities work together. By connecting today's leaders with the next generation, we create an environment where knowledge, experience and fresh perspectives strengthen one another.
Club17 provides a platform where ideas become partnerships and partnerships become action. Whether the challenge is social, environmental or economic, we help organisations find the right people around the table to develop innovative solutions for local challenges with lasting impact.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a shared framework for our work, but our primary focus is building meaningful collaborations that strengthen communities and create opportunities for everyone.
Club17 SDG Challenge MVS 2026
The Club17 SDG Challenge is one of the ways in which this collaboration comes to life.
After a successful international launch in Oman in 2025, the Challenge is coming to the Netherlands for the very first time. The Maassluis, Vlaardingen and Schiedam (MVS) region has been selected as the first Dutch region to host this pioneering initiative.
Throughout the programme, students work alongside businesses, governments, educational institutions and social impact organisations on real challenges that matter to the region. By combining different perspectives, expertise and generations, participants develop practical solutions while building valuable skills, professional networks and a deeper understanding of collaborative leadership.
The Challenge is more than a competition. It is a platform where the next generation and today's professionals learn from one another and work together to shape stronger, more resilient communities.
The Challenge
Students aged 15 to 18 from secondary and vocational schools (MBO & Voortgezet Onderwijs )are matched with a local social impact organisation in their own city.
Each organisation presents a real societal challenge, and over four weeks, student teams develop innovative solutions that create positive impact in their own community linked to one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our Team
Lara
Melkert
Project Coordinator
Manja
van den Bos
Strategic Programme Advisor
Emy
van Ochten
Student Coordinator
Tobias
Bakker
Student Coordinator
Johan
Deijl
Impact Measurement
& Learning
Erik
Visscher
Lead Research &
Data Analytics
Casper
Paulussen
UX/UI Designer
Yoëlle
Krijgsman
Graphic Design
Marion
van Vroenhoven
Program Operations
Manager
How the Contest Works
From Awareness to Action – A Journey into Real-World Sustainability
The Club17 SDG Contest is not your typical competition. It’s a hands-on experience where bright students and innovative companies join forces to tackle real sustainability challenges.
Here’s how we turn awareness into action:
Step 1: Kick-off & Connect
The journey begins with the official Club17 SDG Challenge Kick-off. During this inspiring opening event, all participating students, schools, municipalities, partners and social impact organisations come together for the first time.
Students are introduced to the Challenge, meet the organisation they will be working with, and discover the real societal challenge they will tackle over the coming weeks. This is where connections are made, ideas begin to grow, and the Challenge officially starts.
Step 2: Learn & Prepare
Before starting their project, every team takes part in a series of practical workshops designed to prepare them for success.
Students receive training in:
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Design Thinking and problem-solving
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Presentation and pitching skills
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Social media and storytelling
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Understanding the Challenge methodology
These workshops provide the tools, confidence and mindset needed to transform ideas into meaningful impact.
Step 3: Explore, Collaborate & Create
Over the following four weeks, teams work closely with their assigned social impact organisation.
They investigate the challenge, meet stakeholders, visit organisations, conduct research and develop innovative solutions together. Throughout the programme, teams receive guidance and feedback while turning their ideas into practical concepts with real value for the community.
Step 4: Pitch, Celebrate & Inspire
The Challenge concludes with three local Semi-Finals in Maassluis, Vlaardingen and Schiedam, where teams present their ideas to expert juries. The winning teams then advance to the Club17 SDG Challenge Grand Finale, presenting their solutions to partners, municipalities, businesses and community leaders. Together, we celebrate innovation, collaboration and the next generation of changemakers.
"It’s a straightforward way to engage with future talent while contributing to local challenges"
Driving impact together,
through action, not promotion.
Powered by the
Van der Lely Foundation
The Van der Lely Foundation proudly supports the first Dutch edition of the Club17 SDG Challenge MVS.
The Club17 SDG Challenge MVS 2026 is made possible through the generous support of the Van der Lely Foundation. We are deeply grateful for the Foundation's belief in young people and its commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation.
Their support makes it possible to bring this pioneering international programme to the Netherlands for the very first time. By choosing to invest in the Maassluis, Vlaardingen and Schiedam region, the Van der Lely Foundation is helping to inspire young people, strengthen local communities and create lasting social impact.
We are honoured and sincerely thankful that the Van der Lely Foundation has chosen to make this inaugural Dutch edition possible in our region. Together, we are investing in the leaders of tomorrow.
Investing in the Next Generation of Changemakers
Welcome! If your school, company, or organization is interested in learning more about our contest, we invite you to reach out to us. We are eager to provide you with all the information you need and discuss any inquiries you may have. Please feel free to us at your convenience, and we look forward to connecting with you!
