On 3 February, the City of Eindhoven posthumously awarded its highest honour, the Sign of Merit, to Esra Altmiş. A beloved and influential social entrepreneur, she passed away unexpectedly late last year. Mayor Jeroen Dijsselbloem presented the award to her family during a memorial service attended by friends and colleagues.
Altmiş was widely recognised for her dedication to inclusion and social connection. She had already received a royal decoration in 2018, and this posthumous honour serves as official recognition from the city council for her lifelong service to the community.
Her work as a pioneer in community building began in 2012. She started a small project for women in the Barrier neighbourhood, personally paying the rent for a space in the Pastoor van Arskerk. With her professional background as a support worker, she created an accessible environment where residents could find help or a friendly conversation without facing bureaucratic hurdles. A year later, she co-founded the Ik Wil Foundation. This organisation grew into a vital community hub for the Woensel-Zuid area, offering Dutch language lessons, communal cooking, and creative workshops. The foundation gained national acclaim when it received the Appeltje van Oranje award from Queen Máxima.
Altmiş was frequently described as an empathetic bridge-builder and a beacon of light in the city. She fought passionately against exclusion, racism, and discrimination. Beyond her foundation, she was active in various projects that connected different generations and cultures, always focusing on supporting vulnerable residents.
During the ceremony, Mayor Dijsselbloem praised her impact on the city’s social fabric. He noted that she took practical action and made an extraordinary contribution to Eindhoven’s unity. He stated that she remains a shining example for everyone in the city.
