Impact
June recap: meaningful impact rarely happens alone
Throughout June, we continued investing in something that often happens behind the scenes: the relationships, expertise and practical support that make humanitarian action possible.
From listening to communities across the Netherlands to strengthening collaborations with businesses and partners, the month showed that meaningful impact rarely happens alone. It is built through people and companies who choose to contribute, each in their own way.
The Netherlands: listening and staying close to changing needs on the ground
Ter Apel: remaining ready to respond
This month, we visited Ter Apel to actively monitor the situation and carry out a needs assessment together with our volunteers and translators. By speaking directly with people staying at the reception centre, local organisations and partners on the ground, we gain a clearer understanding of current needs and where we can add value.
Bringing our volunteers also created valuable opportunities for connection, both with people seeking asylum and with other organisations working on site. These conversations help strengthen collaboration and ensure support is coordinated where it is needed most.
While the situation can change quickly, staying present and closely connected allows us to respond rapidly whenever additional support is needed.
Understanding needs at COA locations
Throughout the month, we visited several COA locations across the Netherlands to better understand where support is needed most.
These visits help us shape initiatives around real, local needs while strengthening relationships with residents, staff and volunteers. One example is our return to an earlier location this month, where we’ll host another pottery workshop after residents expressed a desire for more opportunities to connect and spend time together.
Joining forces to provide support for young mums
Sometimes impact starts with a single question.
After receiving a request for baby prams from multiple reception centres, businesses, volunteers and partners quickly stepped in to help. Thanks to donations from organisations including Bugaboo, Easywalker and BabyDump; over a hundred families arriving with young children will soon receive an essential item that makes everyday life just that little bit easier.
It’s a reminder that practical support often begins with listening and becomes possible through collective action.
Young Impact Day: 6,000 young people taking action
This month, we joined Young Impact Day at AFAS Live, where more than 6,000 young people came together to make a positive impact.
At our Brievenbus vol Liefde (Mailbox full of Love), students wrote personal cards to peers living through crisis and displacement. Through simple messages of encouragement, they showed that even small gestures can make someone feel seen and supported.
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World Refugee Day: the story behind the numbers
On World Refugee Day, we reflected on the reality behind the statistics. Today, more than 41.6 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide. Behind every number is a person with their own story, ambitions and future.
Our volunteer Malik knows that reality firsthand. At 19 years old and currently awaiting his residency status, he has experienced forced displacement himself. Today, he is using his story to help others better understand what it means to rebuild your life with hope and determination.
Partnerships: creating more ways to contribute
Every organisation has something valuable to offer. Whether it’s employee engagement, professional expertise, products or networks, there are many ways businesses can help create practical impact. This month, we saw that in action through several inspiring collaborations.
At our founding partners bunq and Picnic, we introduced new employees to People for People and the many ways they can get involved. Following these sessions, we were excited to see an increase in employees signing up as volunteers.
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bunq colleague
bunq colleague
Another example is our partnership with Young Colfield. Their trainees dedicate their time and expertise to a range of People for People projects, helping strengthen our organisation behind the scenes. During this month’s ‘Doing Good’ lunch session, our Logistics Lead Tom shared more about our work and the impact the trainees help make possible through their ongoing contribution.
Whether through volunteering, sharing expertise, products or your network, every organisation has something unique to offer.
Interested in exploring how your organisation can contribute? We’d love to start the conversation.
Help us drive impact: we’re looking for a new van
Some of the most important work we do depends on something surprisingly practical: getting people and supplies where they need to be.
Over the past few years, our van has transported emergency aid to Ter Apel, winter clothing to COA locations, donations from partners across the country and materials for countless People for People Days. It has travelled tens of thousands of kilometres, connecting communities with practical support.
After years of intensive use, it’s reaching the end of its journey. With new environmental regulations coming into effect in 2027, we’re now looking for an electric replacement so we can continue delivering support wherever it’s needed.
If your organisation can help us make that possible – through a donation, partnership or other form of support – we’d love to start the conversation. Please send us an email at info@peopleforpeople.info.
Beyond the Netherlands: continuing our commitment to Ukraine
Four and a half years after the start of the war and our collaboration with LifeLine Ukraine, we attended their recent ‘Unbreakability Forum’ to reflect on the journey so far and the work that continues today.
While public attention naturally shifts over time, humanitarian needs remain. This month, additional hardware was transported to Ukraine through our logistics network – to be used in shelters to keep education accessible to those on the frontlines – demonstrating how long-term partnerships continue to create practical impact.
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Ingrid Lamme
Partnerships Lead People for People
Strengthening our organisation
As our work continues to grow, we’re pleased to welcome Andrea as our new Crisis Response Lead.
Humanitarian situations often develop quickly and require strong coordination with partners, volunteers and local organisations. Andrea’s 15 years of experience in the field will help strengthen our ability to respond effectively when crises emerge while continuing to build long-term partnerships that support affected communities.
June reminded us that impact isn't only created in moments of crisis. It is also built through conversations, shared expertise, practical support and the relationships that make all of those things possible.
Whether you're a volunteer, a business or a partner organisation, there are many ways to contribute.
