Eindhoven is growing fast, becoming more diverse and international by the year. Despite the city’s energy, many residents still live parallel lives. The ‘StadsMakers International’ programme, developed by De Bildung Academie and financially supported by ASML, aims to break that pattern. At ASML’s request, this edition focuses specifically on strengthening contact between local and international residents, a topic high on the regional agenda and one to which ASML actively contributes through its social initiatives in the Brainport region.
After three months of working side by side under professional guidance, 30 Eindhoven residents, both local and international, representing 15 different countries, will present their solutions on Sunday, 28 June, at Strijp‑S.
Integration
Where integration is often shaped by policy, ‘StadsMakers’ takes a different approach. Residents take the lead themselves. In five mixed teams, participants developed initiatives that stimulate neighbourhood encounters and help people connect. Ideas range from small, low‑threshold activities to concepts that blend culture, food, and personal stories, all aimed at one shared goal – lowering barriers and making everyday contact feel more natural.
Connection
Participants emphasise that the real breakthrough does not lie in systems or structures, but in human connection. Beneath cultural differences, they found the same underlying concerns: family, raising children, and the question of where one feels at home. “Once you start talking, you realise you have more in common than you thought”, many participants noted.
Timely effort
As the Brainport region continues to grow and attract international talent, social cohesion is becoming an increasingly important topic for local governments, companies, and community groups. The event will showcase how residents themselves are actively strengthening the cohesion, starting in their own neighbourhoods and close to everyday life.
On Sunday, the Expo invites everyone to meet the teams, hear their stories, and explore what living together in a rapidly changing city really looks like.
📅 Event Details: StadsMakers Expo
When: Sunday, 28 June 2026, 13:00 – 14:30 (doors open 12:30)
Where: Microlab, Strijp‑S, Eindhoven
Registration: Free entry – registration required (via registration link or email arabella@debildungacademie.nl)
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