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Learn · Work · Connect

Learning differently,
working differently,
connected together.

In a world that keeps changing faster, agility matters. Traditional organisations often no longer fit the way we learn, work and collaborate today. At Gildehuizen, new ideas, networks and opportunities emerge — beyond the beaten paths.

Discover what we offer Get in touch
Gezelschap van Gildehuizen — gathering in Brussels with young people from across Europe
Our movement Young people and partners together in the European Parliament.
Our approach

Four pillars for learning and working in a different way.

Here new ideas, networks and opportunities take shape — more enjoyable, more effective and more connected to what truly matters.

01

Continuous learning in practice

Learning does not stop at school or training. We combine formal learning with hands-on assignments, workshops, peer-to-peer learning and encounters — so knowledge grows while you actively contribute to society.

02

Networking and collaboration

New ways of organising revolve around networks, not hierarchy. Teams are self-directed, knowledge is shared, and decisions are made together — including with young people.

03

Platforms that connect

Concepts such as Gilde Plus connect people and projects. Together you arrive at new solutions — across disciplines, generations and borders.

04

Flexibility, autonomy and impact

More and more people are building a portfolio career: a mix of assignments, projects and roles. We connect that freedom to social impact, so everyone contributes to something that genuinely matters.

Our team

The people behind Gildehuizen.

A diverse company of strategists, makers, thinkers and doers — united by the conviction that learning and working can be done differently.

Portrait of Jacques Giesbertz

Jacques Giesbertz

Strategy & Networks

Advisor in organisational development and network-driven working across social and business contexts. Designs strategic processes and harnesses network potential to create value for organisations and communities.

Strengths
  • Strategic thinking

    Analyses complex issues and formulates clear advice on management, operations and social innovation.

  • Process and network management

    Through BuzzyChain, experienced in setting up networks, collaboration tracks and learning-and-working communities.

  • Organisational ability

    Organises gatherings, conferences and projects with an eye for participation and knowledge sharing.

  • Connective communication

    Clear communication with executives and participants alike; builds support for change and co-creation.

  • Adaptive and enterprising

    Works at the intersection of advice, social innovation and practical solutions.

Portrait of Maurice Krämer

Maurice Krämer

Compliance & Organisation

Experienced professional in compliance, information security, risk management and organisational development. Worked as Compliance Officer and CISO at municipalities and in the energy sector.

Strengths
  • Analytical and strategic

    Approaches risk and compliance with a focus on business value and well-founded decisions.

  • Organisation- and people-oriented

    Believes effective risk and security management works better when everyone thinks and takes part.

  • Communicator and motivator

    Inspires from the shop floor to management level and builds support for change.

  • Business development

    Helps organisations grow by connecting compliance insights to broader business goals.

Portrait of Sophia Yotova

Sophia Yotova

Design & Wellbeing

Also known as Octophina. A creative professional with a multidisciplinary background in design, art, personal development and nutrition. TEDx speaker, experience designer and coach.

Strengths
  • Creative problem-solver

    Designs experience-led programmes and tools — from edible art to self-care models — to overcome stress, burnout and blockages.

  • Empathetic communicator

    As a TEDx speaker and coach she facilitates reflection, connection and personal growth around complex themes.

  • Innovative in design

    Works across boundaries with art, food, the psyche and body awareness to find fresh angles on wellbeing.

  • Resilient and adaptive

    Her career has been shaped in part by personal challenges — which deepens her empathy and insight.

Portrait of Jamie van Duuren

Jamie van Duuren

Sustainable Design

Creative product designer, materials researcher and initiator with a strong focus on sustainability and social impact. Through her practice Jamie van Duuren Design she develops bio-design solutions.

Strengths
  • Bio-design & materials research

    Develops innovative, environmentally friendly solutions through research into alternative materials.

  • Education for young people

    Initiator of the "From Waste to Wonder" workshop series, in which children turn organic waste into sustainable toys.

  • Experimental approach

    Combines practical, hands-on experiments with a socially driven vision.

  • Fostering environmental awareness

    Work aimed at awakening creativity and a sense of sustainability in the next generation.

Portrait of Jos Hazebroek

Jos Hazebroek

Coaching & Development

Experienced trainer, coach, organisational advisor and interim manager at Change2excel in Eindhoven — with more than 18 years of experience as an independent professional.

Strengths
  • Organisation and team development

    Guides change processes and strengthens both individual and collective competencies.

  • Performance & competency management

    Expert in quality management, performance management and career development.

  • Personal certification

    Works as a learning coach and assessor (including APL/EVC tracks), and on exam validation and design.

  • Analytical eye for growth

    Combines practical knowledge with sharp analysis to promote sustainable growth.

Portrait of Joey de Deken

Joey de Deken

Tech & Innovation

A creative, curious professional who combines technical knowledge with collaboration and a customer focus. ERP consultant at BouwInfosys, at the intersection of technology and user needs.

Strengths
  • Tech meets collaboration

    Moves between IT, organisation and user needs — strong in a team setting.

  • Cities of Learning & VR

    Brings experience with digital environments and VR applications to projects.

  • Social and communicative

    A talent for building lasting relationships and facilitating shared goals.

  • Contemporary learning environments

    Contributes to environments where technology and human encounter reinforce one another.

What we offer

New forms of learning and working.

Gildehuizen makes learning and working different, more enjoyable and more meaningful — with the support you need to bring your ideas to life.

Start your own Gildehuis

Start an independent Gildehuis with its own board. Fast, affordable and ready to get going with your idea — with support from the wider company.

Platform and related concepts

Meet other Gildehuizen, share knowledge and collaborate. Concepts such as Gilde Plus strengthen the links between learning, working and social impact.

Expertise & Cities of Learning

Receive knowledge, advice and support for new forms of learning and working through our experts and the Cities of Learning platform.

Practical support

From extra hands to specialist expertise: we help your new organisation or initiative from start to delivery.

News

Stories from our company.

Updates, projects and announcements from the world of Gildehuizen.

Autumn 2026
In development

Launch of the Gildehuis platform

The new digital platform makes it possible to collaborate as a collective, share knowledge and start new Gildehuizen — fast, affordable and connected to the wider company. An infrastructure for learning and working differently.

2024 – 2026
Ongoing

Erasmus+: youth and European collaboration

Through strategic partnerships and youth exchanges, Gildehuizen participants work with organisations in Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia and North Macedonia on innovative forms of learning and working. More than 40 young people have already taken part.

Continuous
Active

MDT Plus: young people build their city

Together with scouting groups, music schools, secondary schools and cultural institutions, young people in Heerlen and Eindhoven coordinate visible community projects. From events to neighbourhood initiatives — always with young people at the helm. (MDT — Maatschappelijke Diensttijd — is the Dutch national social service programme for young people.)

Youth at the helm

Not waiting for the future —
actively shaping it.

At Gildehuizen we believe young people not only hold the future, but deserve a voice right now. We create rich, challenging environments where their talents, creativity and ideas take centre stage — and we make sure they can make a real impact.

European collaboration Erasmus+ projects

Together with European partners, young people discover new skills, intercultural collaboration and innovative forms of learning and working — from exchanges to strategic partnerships.

Local impact MDT projects

Maatschappelijke Diensttijd (the Dutch social service programme) in Heerlen and Eindhoven: young people work with scouting, music schools, secondary schools and cultural associations on visible projects.

Approach Co-creation, not consumption

Young people do not just carry out projects — they help design them. They take initiative, learn to organise, collaborate and think in terms of solutions.

Philosophy Equal partners

In every project, young people are co-owners of the process. Room to make choices, try out ideas and get to know failure.

View the full Youth page Erasmus+, MDT Plus, co-creation and our philosophy described in detail
Europe Cities of Learning Eindhoven

Making Europe tangible — for young people, citizens and communities.

In collaboration with
Europe Cities of Learning Eindhoven

A Europe of people, not only of institutions.

Europe Cities of Learning Eindhoven is part of the Gezelschap van Gildehuizen and builds on the rich, long-standing work of Europe Direct Eindhoven as a connecting information and activation point on the European Union in the Eindhoven region.

Under the banner of Europe Cities of Learning Eindhoven, we facilitate activities that connect Europe's themes to the everyday lives and experiences of citizens — young people in particular — in our city and beyond.

Visit edic-eindhoven.nl

Youth debates

Open learning and debate formats on democracy, the future and engagement — where pupils and students actively contribute to public discourse on the EU.

Quality dialogues

Local, national and European perspectives come together around themes such as citizenship, social cohesion and participation — knowledge connected to human experience.

United Through Poetry

An international poetry project in which poets from more than fifteen countries explored universal themes through art and language: peace, connection and diversity.

Europe is not only something belonging to institutions in Brussels or Strasbourg, but to people — to young people, citizens and communities reflecting on their future, their values and their role in a shared European society.

Good Governance

Working by the codes of the sector.

Transparency, integrity and careful dealings with our partners and audiences form the foundation of our work.

Codes & regulations
Good governance, fair practice, diversity & inclusion.
cultuurparticipatie.nl ↗
Terms & conditions
General terms and conditions of the Gezelschap van Gildehuizen.
Download (PDF, in Dutch) ↓
Articles of association
Official founding document of the foundation.
In preparation
Annual reports
Activities, partners and financial overview per year.
View reports ↓
2024 In preparation
Contact

Get in touch

Questions about what we offer, interested in collaborating, or simply want to know more? We would love to hear from you.

We love working with schools, municipalities, youth organisations and entrepreneurs who believe in learning by doing.

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