In my work I see the physical space which has a crucial role to create security and intimacy for the emotional work and being able to get connected with ourselves and with others. For many years I have been working as a creator, facilitator or as a volunteer on different garden projects where gardening fosters social integration, community building or healing.

I am the founder and leader of the Amsterdam based international NGO, In Touch Amsterdam  (2018-…) fostering healthy relationships and building sustainable communities based on diversity, intimacy, mutual support and trust.

One of the projects of In Touch has been focusing social relations, building trust across cultural diversity with refugees and migrants in a new neighborhood of Amsterdam. This work grew into my social gardening work.

2020 has globally redefined our common lives as we have been forced to reconceive them both in terms of time and space, leading us to a profound reflection on the social changes which will follow. As crisis exacerbates inequalities, new perspectives on dialogue and cooperation are emerging just when they seem more necessary than ever.

I am the initiator, < heart, brain and working hand > in the Amsterdam based SET Community Gardens.

For more than twenty years I have been working as trainer, educator on the field of sexuality, gender, intimacy, identity, intercultural diversity, social encounters. This work experience provides me a solid foundation for my community and social gardening work. The “success” of my work with diverse social groups is based on the deep knowledge and understanding of humans, their needs, emotions, cultural and behavioral patterns and relationship dynamics.

In 2024 we received the New European Bauhaus award for “regaining the sense of belonging” in the category of inclusion, beauty and sustainability.