Young Perspectives (YOPE)

What Young Perspectives (YOPE) does

Young Perspectives (YOPE) is a Dutch nonprofit foundation (Stichting Young Perspectives, ANBI status) headquartered in Amsterdam-West at the Kempenaerstudio. Originally founded in 2002 in South Africa as "Young in Prison (YiP)" by Noa Lodeizen and rebranded to Young Perspectives in 2023, YOPE delivers creative and sports-based educational programs to youth aged 12-25 in juvenile detention centers (JJI's) and closed youth care institutions across the Netherlands. Its core methodology, refined over 20+ years across South Africa, Malawi, Colombia, and Suriname, is built around a network of Urban Arts & Sports instructors (Docenten) covering 24 disciplines — including theater, philosophy, songwriting, football, spoken word, music, and fashion styling — combined with a cohort of young "Experts" who have lived detention experience and who train and advise professionals across the youth criminal justice chain.

YOPE operates four interconnected service lines: (1) direct in-facility creative/sports programming for detained youth; (2) advisory services where trained Experts consult on policy, institutional design, and complex justice issues; (3) training programs for professionals — prosecutors, judges, police, rehabilitation workers, and care providers; and (4) a support network connecting youth to social and financial capital post-detention. Supporting programs include one-on-one mentorship (minimum six-month volunteer commitments) and a selective two-year Experts leadership program admitting approximately 15 youth per year. The organization does not offer a software product, API, or digital platform; its "technology" is a codified human-delivered methodology backed by a trained instructor and lived-experience network.

YOPE's revenue model is grant-funded: it does not charge end-users directly and does not disclose financial figures. Funding derives from at least eight Dutch and European charitable foundations (Oranjefonds, EFP, FRED, ProJuventute, Fonds21, Weeshuis der SSPE, VSBfonds, VL Fonds), with services delivered through direct engagement with government agencies including the Public Prosecution Service, Dutch Police, SSR (judicial training institute), Reclassering Nederland, the Municipality of Amsterdam, and various youth care providers. Distribution is single-country/domestic, with international activity channeled through a dedicated YOPE International sub-brand.

Name

Young Perspectives (YOPE)

Legal name

Stichting Young Perspectives

Website

https://youngperspectives.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Young Perspectives (YOPE) is a Dutch nonprofit foundation that delivers Urban Arts & Sports programs, lived-experience advisory, and professional training to youth aged 12-25 in Dutch juvenile detention and closed youth care, and to professionals across the youth criminal justice chain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Justice and Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Juvenile Justice Education Programs (Detention & Correctional Education) (EDAJAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

Keywords

• Youth justice programs
• Creative detention education
• Youth rehabilitation training
• Professional youth care training
• Social reintegration support

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Funding and Grants: YOPE operates primarily through funding from Dutch foundations and government funds including Oranjefonds, EFP, FRED, ProJuventute, Fonds21, Weeshuis der SSPE, VSBfonds, and VL Fonds.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Young Perspectives (YOPE) designs and delivers creative and sports-based educational programs for youth in detention and closed youth care settings in the Netherlands, and provides training, advisory services, mentorship, and an expert program for professionals working in the youth justice sector. The organization operates as a Stichting (nonprofit foundation) with ANBI status, funded primarily through grants from public bodies and philanthropic foundations, and commissions its services to government institutions such as the Dutch Youth Justice Institutions (JJI), the Public Prosecution Service, and the Police.

Product overview

Young Perspectives (YOPE) is a social organization that operates a portfolio of interconnected programs serving youth in and after detention and closed youth care. The organization operates four core service lines: (1) YOPE staat voor de groep provides creative and sports educational programs through a team of 24-disciplined Urban Arts & Sports instructors; (2) YOPE adviseert offers advisory services where trained young experts share their lived experiences; (3) YOPE traint professionals delivers training programs to professionals across the youth justice chain; and (4) YOPE ondersteunt provides a support network connecting youth to social and financial capital. Supporting these core services are the Mentoren van YOPE (volunteer mentorship), Experts van YOPE (experienced youth advisory program), and Docenten van YOPE (instructor network) programs. YOPE International extends these methodologies internationally. The organization does not offer a software product, API, or technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Creative and Sports Programs for Youth in Detention Creative and sports-based educational workshops delivered to youth in detention and closed youth care settings in the Netherlands. The program is designed to engage young people in custody through artistic and athletic activities that support rehabilitation, self-expression, and social reintegration.
• Professional Training for Youth Justice Practitioners Structured training programs for professionals working in the youth justice sector, including practitioners inside Dutch Youth Justice Institutions, the Public Prosecution Service, the Police, and municipal youth care settings. The training builds practitioner capacity to work effectively with incarcerated and institutionalized youth.
• Advisory Services for Youth Justice Institutions Advisory services provided to youth justice institutions, government agencies, and partner organizations on program design, delivery models, and approaches for engaging youth in detention and closed youth care.
• Mentorship Program Mentorship program that pairs youth in detention and closed youth care with mentors to provide guidance, continuity, and support during and potentially after institutional placement.
• Expert Program Expert program that deploys YOPE's subject-matter experts within youth justice and closed youth care contexts to support program quality, practitioner development, and institutional capacity building.

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DCI België en ItaliëcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021International collaboration where YOPE youth met with DCI Belgium and Italy in Strasbourg for a creative campaign on expertise by experience.
• Fair TrialscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018For the Fair Trials project, YOPE facilitated training by Experts for 50 youth lawyers from various European countries to improve communication skills with youth in contact with the law.
• ViaJeugdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner and client of YOPE in the youth sector.
• ExocusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner and client organization.
• ABZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner and client organization in the youth care sector.
• Reclassering Nederland (Dutch Rehabilitation Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Reclasseringsacademie has incorporated YOPE expert training into its permanent curriculum for rehabilitation workers.
• Aloysius/Stichting AloysiusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in youth care.
• Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner and client organization.
• SSR (Studiecentrum Rechtspleging)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJudicial training institute that has made training by YOPE Experts a formal and mandatory part of the training curriculum for new officers since 2017.
• NVJ (Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch journalists association partner.
• RUGRminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the youth sector.
• PlurynminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth care organization partner.
• Openbaar Ministerie (OM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic Prosecution Service - YOPE has provided advisory services to OM employees and collaborated on training.
• Politie Nederland (Dutch Police)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2022, YOPE Experts trained 40 youth officers from the IJsselland district, sharing personal stories and experiences with police.
• NHC (Nederlands Jeugd Institutuut)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch Youth Institute partner.
• KoraalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth care organization partner.
• Gemeente Amsterdam (Municipality of Amsterdam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYOPE has advised the municipality on youth policy and interventions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Clean Break: UK charity using theatre and the arts to empower women with experience of the criminal justice system. Comparable to YOPE's arts-in-detention model, its lived-experience advisory approach, and its professional training of justice-sector staff.
• Synergy Theatre Project: UK charity delivering theatre-based programs and training inside prisons and with young people at risk of offending. Closely aligned with YOPE's Docenten model (creative instructors delivering inside detention) and its mission to use arts to improve youth justice outcomes.
• Siren (arts-in-criminal-justice): UK charity that uses music, film and creative arts to support people in the criminal justice system, including young people. Directly comparable to YOPE's Urban Arts & Sports methodology in detention settings, and similarly trains professionals and advocates for system change.

Others

• Stichting Alexander (now Stichting Het Actiefonds): Dutch foundation that supports youth participation and youth-led initiatives. Comparable as a Dutch youth-focused nonprofit ecosystem player and potential partner/funder comparable to YOPE's foundation funding base.

Broad incumbents

• Howard League for Penal Reform: UK penal reform charity that works on juvenile justice policy and runs programs engaging young people in custody. Comparable to YOPE's mix of policy advocacy, direct engagement with detained youth, and training of justice professionals.
• Defence for Children International: International NGO advocating for children's rights within justice systems, including juvenile detention reform. YOPE already partners with DCI Belgium and Italy on cross-border youth advocacy work, making this a clear comparable on mission and advocacy focus.
• Restorative Justice Council: UK membership and advocacy body that promotes restorative approaches across the criminal justice system, including youth justice. Highly comparable to YOPE in its mission to influence professional practice and policy in youth justice, though operating at a broader sector level rather than delivering direct arts-based programming.

Regional players

• Stichting de Koraal: Dutch youth care organization providing specialized treatment and education to youth in closed settings. Listed as a YOPE partner in the youth care sector and comparable in working with the same closed youth care institutions YOPE serves.
• NICRO (National Institute for Crime Prevention and Reintegration of Offenders): South African NGO delivering crime prevention, rehabilitation, and youth diversion programs. Comparable to YOPE given YOPE's founding context in South Africa and shared focus on youth in conflict with the law; differs by operating primarily in Southern Africa rather than Europe.
• Pluryn: Dutch youth care provider offering support to youth with complex needs, including those in secure settings. Listed as a YOPE partner and adjacent competitor in the Dutch closed youth care ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youngperspectives-yip

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Young Perspectives (YOPE)