Leeuwarden East is one of the most vibrant and diverse areas of the city. It is home to five distinct neighborhoods: Oud-Oost, Bilgaard, Vrijheidswijk, Heechterp-Schieringen, and Camminghaburen. Each has its own identity, character, and deep-rooted sense of community. Many residents have lived here for generations and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. They value the green spaces, the street art, the sense of belonging, and the friendly atmosphere that define their neighborhoods. At the same time, Leeuwarden East faces challenges. Generational poverty, limited access to education, health disparities, and unemployment have shaped the lives of many. These are not new problems, but they believe now is the time for real change. Not just by talking, but by doing together with the people who live here. 

That’s the goal of the Leeuwarden East, a twenty-year commitment to make Leeuwarden East a place where everyone has the chance to thrive. A place where you can live in a clean, safe neighborhood; where you can afford a good home, get a quality education, find meaningful work, and grow old in good health. Most importantly, a place where every voice matters. This ambitious program is built on strong foundations. Nearly 50 local organizations, institutions, and public partners have come together to create a shared vision for the future. What makes this program different is its scale, its depth, and its long-term focus. They’re not just aiming to improve what already exists —it's about working toward breakthroughs that can shift entire systems. Innovation, collaboration, and perseverance are at the heart of the approach. 

The work focuses on five key themes: learning, working, living, health, and safety. But instead of treating these themes as separate issues, they are addressed as parts of one whole: the quality of life of the people in Leeuwarden East. The ambition for each theme is as follows: 

- Learning: Residents experience opportunities to continue developing themselves in order to reach their full potential and make optimal use of their capabilities; 

- Working: In twenty years, no young people will be left behind; they will either have paid employment or participate in other ways that are valuable to them and the neighborhood; 

- Living: People consciously choose to live or remain in Leeuwarden East because of the affordability and quality of the living environment; 

- Health: Residents of Leeuwarden East have the same opportunities to grow up and grow old in good health as all the other residents of Leeuwarden; 

- Safety: Safety in Leeuwarden East will contribute to improved livability, social cohesion, and the future of its residents. 

Throughout all of this, an inside out approach is used. That means listening to the residents, working alongside them, and ensuring that their experiences and insights shape the plans. These neighborhoods are not blank slates - they are places full of potential, history, creativity, and resilience. They want to strengthen what’s already strong, and support what needs change. Leeuwarden East is a long-term commitment. It’s not about quick fixes, but about meaningful, lasting transformation. Together with the people who live here, and with partners across every level of society, a future is created where everyone can look forward with hope, purpose, and pride.