Long-term Security: Owning the building means we don’t have to deal with renting from Woonwarts in a housing crisis. We can focus on what we do without worrying about getting evicted or facing surprise rent increases.
Autonomy and Self-Management: More DIY fun ahead! We can decide when to fix things, who does the work, and how to make the place even better for everyone—without anyone else telling us what to do. This freedom lets us run De Grote Broek in a way that reflects our community’s values and needs.
Support for Collective Efforts: De Broek is an important space for all kind of collectives and initiatives, including de Onderbroek, de Klinker, Knust Press, Stichting Straatmensen, Stichting Gast, Joris Evens and more. By buying De Grote Broek, we help these groups work more sustainably and independently. And once the mortgage is paid off, we could focuss more on supporting them and other cool projects for our community.
Resistance to Gentrification: As we can see with the local squatting collective Jantien, the squatting scene in Nijmegen faces more and more challenges trying to create alternative living and autonomous social spaces. With ownership of De Grote Broek, we can stabilize the support role that this space has for the local movement and continue building a safer space that promotes anti-authoritarian practices and community solidarity. We’re all about keeping De Grote Broek as the beating heart of Nijmegen’s activist and radical leftist scene!
Community Building: De Grote Broek will keep up with hosting workshops, parties, and all the good stuff that brings people together. We want it to be a place where learning and sharing contiues to happen without a profit motive.
Continued Resistance and Activism: Owning De Grote Broek gives us the power to truly strengthen our community and the initatives happening in and around Nijmegen. We want to continue being a welcoming space where we can uplift marginalized voices and support grassroots movements that push for real change. With De Grote Broek as our home in our own hands, we gain the stability to organize, collaborate, and build an environment which encourages resilience, creativity, and solidarity. Together, we’re working towards a world where everyone can thrive, free from authority and exploitation!