Amsterdammers, maak je stad!

Amsterdam is Europe's most innovative city. In a competition organized by the European Commission, Amsterdam beat cities like Paris, Vienna and Turin. According to the jury, Amsterdam took the lead with smart, social and creative solutions for a better life in the city. In addition to this honour, Amsterdam received a cash prize. And that price was for all Amsterdammers, because we make the city together.

Development

Amsterdammers, Maak je Stad! was a development program initiated by the City of Amsterdam, Pakhuis de Zwijger, Kennisland and Waag. It was also supported by the Amsterdam Economic Board, Amsterdam Smart City and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions.

Through this program, we supported city-makers, active citizens and social entrepreneurs with their initiatives to make and live our city for everyone. In concrete terms, this meant calling on Amsterdammers to share their practices, citizens' initiatives and businesses with us by signing in. The most innovative and meaningful practices in Amsterdam participated in this development process, and were also financially supported.

Increased innovation

The challenges in our city require creativity and thought of all people in Amsterdam. How do we maintain quality of life as demographics and the city change? How do we ensure that young and old continue to develop their talents? And how do we do this in a way that benefits everyone? Many answers to these questions can already be found in the city. Local social initiatives that are providing these answers deserve a boost and must be supported.

In this project, Waag and its partners, took Amsterdammers along a 6-month program: with each other and with the help of experts, Initiatives were further developed during this process in an open, fair and inclusive way. 

Of course, as an institute focussing on possibilities and challenges surrounding technology, Waag was particularly interested in initiatives that used technology as a means of contributing to the city.

Themes: health and talent

Amsterdam is an innovative city maker in many areas. Still, we chose to make Amsterdammers, Make your City! focus on two themes that are essential to an Amsterdam in which everyone has equal opportunities: 'Healthy City' and 'Talentful City'.