Where skate culture meets social impact and where community development rides on four wheels and beyond.
For 25 years, deep in one of the most underserved neighborhoods of Rotterdam, the Skateland Rotterdam Foundation has been doing far more than building ramps and teaching tricks. It has been building resilience, confidence and community.
Led by its passionate director Frans Dietvorst, the foundation recently marked its 25th anniversary, an achievement that speaks to the grit and relevance of this unique social enterprise. What began with the symbolic purchase of a piece of land from Nestlé for just one guilder (around € 0,50) has evolved into a dynamic hub for youth development, creativity and inclusion. The foundation now sits on a highly valuable urban site, not only in monetary terms, but in the lives it touches every day.
Located in the Feijenoord neighbourhood, one of the poorest neighborhoods in the Netherlands, Skateland welcomes nearly 10.000 paying visitors annually. But its deeper impact lies in the 280 young people who take part in skateboarding, scootering and BMX programs through the Skateland Academy. Here, movement becomes a tool for empowerment. Around half of the skateboard students are girls, a testament to the inclusive environment that Skateland cultivates.
Beyond the ramps, the foundation offers a range of community events, from festivals and school workshops to children’s birthday parties and legendary “Wednesday Night Skating” events, where thousands gather to roll through the city on 10-kilometer routes. Thanks to partnerships with programs like Jeugdsportfonds, more than 1.000 visits each year are made possible for children growing up in poverty, removing financial barriers that often exclude them from organized sport.
What truly sets Skateland apart is its deep social mission. The foundation works intensively with youth who face barriers to employment, education or personal development. Some are school dropouts, others live with autism or ADHD. Rather than forcing them into traditional structures, Skateland meets them where they are: offering flexibility, creativity and purpose. In the Skateria, the on-site wood-oven pizzeria, six young people learn practical skills while helping keep the venue running. They prepare food, assist in maintenance and take well-earned breaks to skate; blurring the lines between work, learning and play.
The Skateria is more than a kitchen, it’s a growing social enterprise. The foundation plans to expand it into a model that attracts social return on investment (SROI) from companies seeking to support meaningful initiatives. It’s one of many innovative projects Skateland uses to generate revenue, alongside hosting corporate events and operating pop-up skate parks at festivals and other venues.
Education remains a central focus. Skateland collaborates with an educational platform that spans 85 schools in Rotterdam, to roll out programs like Street Masters. It's a creative initiative that brings workshops and life skills into classrooms through urban culture. Freelance artists, local instructors and volunteers from across the city contribute to this effort, turning Skateland into an unofficial yet powerful learning environment.
This learning will soon extend into a new dimension: podcasting. A dedicated podcast area and professional music studio are currently under construction. Once completed, they host discussions on the impact of Feyenoord footballclub on the Feijenoord district, youth challenges, life in Rotterdam and stories from the skate world. It gives young people not just a space to move, but a platform to speak. Dietvorst sees it as a natural extension of Skateland’s role: a place where unheard voices gain confidence, creativity and community.
“Here, everyone wears sneakers, helmets and smiles. There is no hierarchy, no stigma, just shared movement and mutual respect.”
The space itself reflects the vision. Skateland is home to one of Europe’s largest indoor skate parks, paired with a smaller hall and mobile installations that can be set up at external events. It’s an infrastructure of opportunity, one that has grown in financial strength as well. In just five years, annual revenue has increased from €240,000 to nearly €800,000. Skateland is funded by a combination of private sponsors, ticket sales and public support, including significant municipal backing.
While the Skateland Rotterdam Foundation has full-time staff, volunteers remain essential. However, like many organizations, Skateland has found it challenging to maintain a strong volunteer base in the post-COVID era. To counter this, they invest in staff development, offering first aid training, kitchen certifications and social hygiene courses to ensure professional growth and quality service.
Still, the most profound impact is social. Skateland is a bridge between children from different worlds. Kids from wealthier neighborhoods in North Rotterdam come to skate alongside local youth, many of whom grow up with limited resources. Here, everyone wears sneakers, helmets and smiles. There is no hierarchy, no stigma, just shared movement and mutual respect.
Dietvorst describes Skateland as a kind of informal youth support center. While staff may not be formally trained social workers, they often function as mentors, offering guidance, listening ears and a safe environment for kids dealing with stress, trauma or instability. Free community events, known as “block parties,” further cement the foundation’s role in bringing people together. It builds cohesion through music, food and of course, skating.
But like the neighborhood around it, Skateland is changing. Feijenoord neighbourhood is experiencing rapid development. Luxury apartments are being built nearby and the land Skateland sits on may eventually be designated for high-end residential projects. Rather than resisting this shift, the foundation is exploring opportunities to relocate and expand. Just across the road lies a 62,000 square meter plot, recently purchased by major developers. Discussions are underway to ensure that Skateland, or a new version of it, remains part of the neighborhood’s future, acting as a social anchor as the demographic makeup evolves.
Skateland’s dream for the next chapter is clear: to continue doing what it’s done for a quarter of a century, empowering young people, connecting communities and making movement accessible to all. Now on an even larger scale.
Whether it’s through flipping boards, firing pizzas or podcasting real stories, the Skateland Rotterdam Foundation proves it isn't just about sport. It’s a platform, a culture and maybe even a vehicle for change.
Frans Dietvorst director @ Skateland Rotterdam