Young People Get Their Own Space to Catch Their Breath and Grow
Imagine young people aged 18 to 30 actively working on their mental health together in nature. Through activities, connection, and personal development, Green Escape offers a response to the growing mental pressure and loneliness among young people.
On Thursday, April 9, the official launch of Green Escape took place at Landgoed Sparrenhof in Stadsbos013. Professionals from Nature For Health, IVN Natuureducatie, Collectief Natuurinclusief, Van Gogh Nationaal Park, GGD Hart voor Brabant, the municipality of Tilburg, and local organizations came together to ensure the project becomes a sustainable success.
Nature as a Part of Mental Well-being
Green Escape is a national initiative by the Collectief Natuurinclusief, where young people collaborate with partners to explore new ways of using nature to support mental well-being. GGD Hart voor Brabant is implementing this innovation project in Tilburg through IVN Natuureducatie and Nature For Health. Together with partners and residents, the GGD develops and tests new approaches—this project is one of them. The initiative will run until the end of 2026 and, if successful, will be expanded more broadly.
Working Together Toward Sustainable Success
During the launch event, participants received an introduction to Green Escape, inspired one another, explored scientific insights into the role of nature in mental health, and developed concrete actions to strengthen activities for young people.
Mental Health Challenges Among Young People
The project is urgently needed. According to the GGD Hart voor Brabant Health Monitor, 56% of young people aged 16 to 25 in the region feel socially lonely. Of this group, 33% do not have enough people to rely on. In Tilburg, the numbers are even higher: 62% feel lonely and 36% lack sufficient support. Green Escape offers them a place to unwind in nature and connect with others. Youth organizations in and around Tilburg are enthusiastic and getting involved.
Young People Co-create and Organize
Young people themselves actively contribute to developing the program. During the first exploratory day, eight participants examined which activities appeal to them, where their energy lies, and what roles they want to take on. In the coming period, they will further develop these ideas together with partners. This will result in 10 to 15 activities that the target group can participate in this year at Sparrenhof.
Peter Kok, alderman for youth care and board member of GGD Hart voor Brabant, emphasized the importance of Green Escape:
“Young people often know very well what they need. Green Escape gives them a place where they can recharge, meet others, and help shape their own future. That’s what makes this initiative so powerful.”
Sparrenhof: A Natural Fit for the Initiative
The Amsterdamse Bos was the first Green Escape location. Sparrenhof is the second, with Oisterwijk to follow. Sparrenhof has existed for over forty years and is a familiar place for young people in Tilburg. At the end of 2024, the municipality of Tilburg purchased the estate to promote equal opportunities. It offers space for connection, talent development, and an alternative place to learn, play, and create—at one’s own pace and without performance pressure. With its arrival in the Hart van Brabant region, the initiative also becomes part of Van Gogh National Park, where nature and society come together.
