The buddy project
Buddy Project – Personal Guidance for Youth
Sometimes a young person needs more than just a lesson. They need someone who’s truly there for them. Someone who understands what they’re going through, because they’ve been through it themselves.
That is exactly what the buddy project is all about.
The idea originated during our EPJO classes, where teachers and guidance counselors increasingly asked us if our peer mentors could also speak with students on an individual basis. We never said no to that request. Following successful pilot programs in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Leiden, the buddy project is now a permanent part of the Peter Faber Foundation’s offerings.
The project focuses on young people between the ages of 12 and 30 who need extra support—whether they are at risk of slipping into crime, victims of human trafficking, (former) inmates, or other hard-to-reach target groups. Through personal conversations and guidance, our experts by experience help them find a positive direction.
Intensive one-on-one coaching
24/7 on call
Customized Solutions
The buddy program
Personal guidance
A mentoring program lasts at least 3 months. During that time, the mentor is truly there for the young person—not just during meetings, but also outside of them.
What does a buddy do?
- Personal contact: The mentor visits the young person at least twice a week—at home, at school, at a court hearing, or wherever else the young person needs to go.
- Always available: Your buddy is available 24/7 via WhatsApp or phone. Daytime, evening—whenever you need them.
- Active support: Together, they tackle problems step by step, with help when needed.
- Future Plan: We take into account what the young person wants and is capable of, as well as their interests, talents, and opportunities, and together we develop a concrete plan for the future.
Customized buddy coaching
Customized coaching
The buddy program is intensive and long-term, but not every young person needs that. Sometimes there’s just someone who could use a little support. Someone who’s there. Who doesn’t talk about you, but with you. Who kicks a ball around, goes to the arcade, or just hangs out with you in the park.
It sounds simple, and it is. But for a young person who feels unseen, it can make all the difference.
Buddy coaching is more accessible and flexible than a full buddy program. The buddy visits at set times—at school, at home, or at a youth facility—and works with the young person. At school, this takes place under the supervision of an IB coordinator or care coordinator.
Accessible: No complicated process, no thick files. Just a simple conversation.
On-site: The buddy visits the young person at school, at home, or at a youth facility.
Doing things together: Sports, exercise, an activity—whatever the young person needs and enjoys.
- Permanent buddy at school: Are there several students at the same school who would benefit from guidance? If so, a permanent buddy coach can be assigned to the school for a specific period. This way, the coach becomes a familiar face to the students.
Applications
Request a Buddy Project
A buddy program can be requested by community or youth officers, neighborhood teams, community centers, youth services, parents, schools, the OKT, CJG, or the municipality. Together, we will assess whether a buddy is the right form of support and whether funding is available from the municipality. The program begins as soon as funding is approved.
Due to the intensive nature of the support and our focus on quality, we can offer only a limited number of buddy programs each year. For customized buddy coaching, several experts with lived experience are available, allowing us to reach more young people. The costs may be covered by the municipality, school, youth services, or parents/guardians.
Interested?
Would you like to request a buddy program or learn more about buddy coaching on location? Please contact our project manager Audrey Dobber:
📧 audrey@peterfaberstichting.nl
📞 06 – 1569 8083
