The 2025 Hague Volunteer Awards were presented last week. The winning volunteers, organizations, and team were festively honored at Madurodam. The municipality of The Hague organizes this award ceremony every year to thank volunteers for their dedication. The individual winners of a 2025 Hague Volunteer Award are Elizabeth Vermeulen (Care and Welfare), Jolanda Fasseur (Neighborhood and Environment), Loes van Beek (Animals and Nature), Robert John Henderson (Arts and Culture), and Luc van de Meulenhof (Development and Youth).
The 2025 Hague Volunteer Team consists of the activity coordinators and support staff from Centrum Marike in Wateringse Veld. The 2025 Hague Volunteer Organization is De Luisterlijn, located in The Hague. They were also nominated in 2024 and took home the award this year. The Hague Helpers Network received second prize in the 2025 Hague Volunteer Organization category.
The winners were chosen by an independent jury. Alderman Mariëlle Vavier represented the municipality at the awards ceremony and presented the organization’s prizes.
Individual winners
An individual prize winner was chosen for five categories. The winners received an award, a certificate, and flowers.
The Hague Volunteer Award 2025 for Neighborhood and Surroundings was awarded to Jolanda Fasseur (Segbroek district). She started a community cupboard in the Valkenboskwartier neighborhood, where neighbors can drop off food and take it home for free. This has launched a social movement. Jolanda is a significant contributor to people struggling with financial problems in her neighborhood.
The Hague Volunteer Award 2025 for Animal and Nature has been awarded to Loes van Beek (Escamp district). With great perseverance and the help of people with intellectual disabilities, she has transformed the Theresiakerk garden into a vibrant oasis. This is greatly appreciated by the neighborhood and contributes to a greener city.
The Hague Volunteer Award 2025 for Care and Welfare was awarded to Elizabeth Vermeulen (Escamp district). Elizabeth works with heartwarming enthusiasm and great dedication in the residents’ restaurant of the WZH Sammersburg residential care center. The large number of nominations from residents, colleagues, and family (no fewer than 13) made her a stand-out for the jury.
The Hague Volunteer Award 2025 for Arts and Culture has been awarded to Robert John Henderson (Laak district). As guest programmer at the Laaktheater, he brings contrast to the neighborhood with theater programs focused on themes like queerness and drag shows. In this way, he contributes to an inclusive city. He also works for other cultural institutions.
The Hague Volunteer Award 2025 for Development and Youth was presented to Luc van de Meulenhof (citywide). Drawing on his own experience, he is committed to supporting the youth constituency of the Straat Consulaat (Street Consulate). As an advocate, he focuses on reducing and preventing homelessness among young people.
Team Award
This year, the jury selected the activity coordinators and support staff of Centrum Marike (Escamp district) as The Hague Volunteer Team 2025. As a team, they offer relaxing, creative, and meaningful activities that bring a ray of light to the lives of people with cancer and their families. Accessible and informal are key. The jury praised the team for its high level of empathy and the attention they give to the people who come to them.
Winning organizations
The Luisterlijn location in The Hague won first prize in the category “The Hague Volunteer Organization 2025.” These volunteers are available 24/7, 365 days a year by phone or chat to meet a vital need: being heard. Empathetic support, which the jury believes is desperately needed in our society, is especially appreciated by the organization for the professional guidance its volunteers receive. The Luisterlijn location in The Hague received a €2,000 prize to spend on the volunteers.
The second prize was awarded to the Haagse Helpers Network. This large group of young people is actively involved in helping their fellow citizens. They are of great social importance to our city. The Network raises young people’s awareness of the value of volunteering and connects them with each other . They won a cash prize of €1,000.
For more information, visit www.haagsevrijwilligersprijzen.nl
Photo: Michel Mees