DARE TO RE:PLAY

Creative Empowerment & Community Connection Program Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport in Collaboration with Maker Days and Textiellab-040, Eindhoven

THE PROGRAM

A choose-your-own-adventure experience for personal development, professional growth, and community service where participants of all ages, cultures, and skill levels can connect, grow, and contribute to society in a unique way aligned with their interests, and goals.

The program is a free empowering exploration of transferable skills and practices that fully align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enable the participants to learn, build, experiment, and prepare for a collaborative contribution to the Future Parade during Maker Days on September 27–28 in Eindhoven.

The program is created by Sofia Yotova - Octophina and inspired by the Brabantsedag and the Dutch Design Week exhibition Manifestations.

THE EXPERIENCE

Between July and September 2025, participants get free access to expert mentorship, materials, and vibrant labs in Eindhoven, where creativity is the language, sustainability is the theme, and collaboration is the spirit.

Everyone is welcome to join an existing project or develop a unique contribution, find their tribe, learn from seasoned experts in textile, sustainability, music, art, design, and technology, and get featured as a creative innovator in the Future Parade. All creative expressions and formats are welcome!

A REVOLUTIONARY FUNDING MODEL

This program is made possible via MDT (maatschappelijke diensttijd)—a Netherlands-based initiative to empower young people through meaningful contributions to society.

While the program is open to participants of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels, the subsidy that powers it is designed for development of people 12-30 years old. That’s why they not only gain full access to experts, materials, and labs free of charge, but also have the unique opportunity to receive financial support to bring their concept to life.

In the spirit of radical reinvestment, a portion of the government subsidy is channeled directly into the hands of young creators, empowering them to turn vision into reality with the tools, materials, and mentorship they need.

THE PROJECTS

Participants who don’t want to develop their own unique contribution to the parade can join the teams behind any of the three available projects.

The Upcycled Wedding Dress Collection

Transform discarded gowns into visionary, futuristic, and inspiring wearable artworks with a story and a message.

The Rolling Expo

Turn an old Dutch Design Week installation into a mobile multimedia exhibition.

The Trash Mountain

Assemble discarded items donated at Emmaus Eindhoven into an educational upcycled installation that raises awareness about sustainable consumer practices.

THE EXPERTS

SOFIA YOTOVA

OCTOPHINA

Program creator, Future Parade guest curator, empowerment coach, multi-disciplinary creative innovator, education rebel.

JANINE

WETZELS

Owner of the textiellab-040, textile wizard, multi-disciplinary creative, beautician.

GEERT

TIERSMA

Trash wizard, musician, performer, creator, innovator, social rebel, pizza master.

JAMIE VAN

DUUREN

Workshop host, Dutch Design Academy graduate, coffee ninja.

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Creative Playclub 2025