Red Yellow Blue (RYB)
RYB, a creative force inside global development for a culture of peace
Red Yellow Blue (RYB) is a new global development project with a mission to connect creative minds worldwide.
We are building a network of inspiring physical spaces where people can meet, work, and collaborate. These spaces include coffee rooms and restaurants, art galleries, and data-innovation centers — all designed to support culture, creativity, and positive societal change.
Global Development
Organizations
Follow the Money
Data
AI
About Red Yellow Blue (RYB)
We’re based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Our platform partner, Europa Regina, is a member of the European Fashion Council (EFC). Right now, the EFC is building something exciting: the European Fashion Academy. This new education model blends online learning with in-person training. The idea has already sparked interest beyond Europe’s borders. Spain, an EFC member, is leading this initiative.
Meanwhile, each EFC country is proposing innovative projects. The Netherlands has put forward a bold vision: a network of community buildings across Europe. These won’t be ordinary offices.
Instead of traditional EFC headquarters, each country will have its own vibrant hub. People can grab coffee, share a meal, and connect with fellow fashion professionals. It’s networking reimagined as a living, breathing space.
This concept mirrors what we’re doing at RYB. However, EFC focuses specifically on fashion. Their buildings will champion each country’s unique fashion industry.
At RYB, we’re taking this model further. We envision a similar network of multifunctional buildings. But our mission is broader: advancing global development through connection and collaboration.
Global development refers to efforts that improve living conditions worldwide. It focuses on reducing poverty, inequality, and suffering across all nations.
Meanwhile, international development specifically targets assistance from wealthy countries to developing nations. This approach often involves foreign aid and technical support.
Sustainable development takes a broader perspective. It balances economic growth with environmental protection and social equity. This concept ensures that present progress doesn’t compromise future generations’ ability to meet their needs.
Understanding Development Approaches
Elected governments shape their development policies and funding strategies.
Recently, development aid priorities have shifted across several nations. The US reduced funding under the Trump administration. Subsequently, the UK and Netherlands adjusted their approaches as well.
Today, many governments emphasize mutual benefit in their development partnerships. They’re asking: how can aid also support domestic interests? This reflects a “national interest first” philosophy in international cooperation.
Countries now frame development through multiple lenses. They prioritize trade opportunities, security partnerships, and migration management alongside humanitarian goals.
The Dutch government’s website states:
“Dutch interests will take precedence in our country’s development policy. Those interests concern trade, security and migration. The government will focus on programmes where the Netherlands excels: water management, food security and health.”
At first glance, this seems reasonable. Why not create win-win partnerships? Helping others while supporting domestic industries sounds practical.
However, professionals recognize deeper complexities in the global system.
Structural Challenges in International Trade
Current financial systems sometimes enable tax avoidance across borders. This reduces resources available for developing nations’ public services.
Trade agreements don’t always create level playing fields. For example, African nations can export raw coffee beans relatively easily. Yet processing those beans into finished products faces barriers. High import tariffs on manufactured goods make it difficult for African coffee companies to compete in European markets.
This pattern repeats across sectors. Developing countries supply raw materials. Meanwhile, value-added manufacturing remains concentrated in wealthier nations. The profit distribution follows accordingly.
Additionally, political instability in resource-rich regions sometimes connects to external influences. When governments change, resource extraction contracts may favor international corporations over local communities.
Moving Toward Equitable Partnerships
The question for professionals becomes: how do we build truly sustainable development partnerships? How can trade relationships benefit all parties fairly? These conversations matter for creating lasting global prosperity.
The Interconnected Nature of Global Development
Global development extends far beyond traditional aid programs. It encompasses tax systems, trade policies, political frameworks, and gender equality. These elements don’t exist in isolation—they’re deeply interconnected.
Understanding this complexity can feel overwhelming. You could watch countless videos and browse dozens of websites. Or you could experience it all in one integrated space.
A New Model for Understanding Change
Imagine a physical hub that brings global development to life. Not just a static snapshot, but a dynamic view of how our world is evolving. This space would showcase current realities, emerging trends, and future projections.
Creating these insights requires robust data, comprehensive reports, and expert voices. Organizations and thought leaders who track these patterns can share their knowledge directly.
This vision drives our building concept for each country.
Creating Spaces for Engagement and Action
These hubs serve multiple purposes. First, they educate citizens about policies shaping our interconnected world. They make complex global systems accessible and understandable.
Second, they empower people to take action. These spaces provide platforms where citizens can connect, organize, and amplify their voices. When people understand the issues, they can meaningfully influence policies and political decisions.
Third, they foster community. Professionals, activists, students, and curious citizens can gather in welcoming environments. They can exchange ideas, build networks, and collaborate on solutions.
Connection Through Conversation
All of this happens organically. Perhaps over a cup of fairly-traded coffee.
Sometimes the most powerful movements begin with simple conversations in the right setting.
Aid Cuts Hit Hard
The Netherlands is slashing development assistance dramatically. The country will cut €300 million in 2025, €500 million in 2026, and €2.4 billion annually from 2027.
These cuts are massive. The development budget will shrink by €1 billion over five years. From 2027, spending will drop by €2.4 billion annually. Aid will fall from 0.62% of national income in 2024 to just 0.44% in 2029.
The Netherlands isn’t alone. Europe’s richest countries—Germany, Netherlands, and Finland—are all cutting international cooperation commitments. (2025)
Defense Spending Soars
At the same time, military budgets are exploding. The Netherlands will increase defense spending from $22.8 billion in 2024 to $31.2 billion in 2029.
This represents a historic shift. In 2024, the Netherlands’ defense budget reached 2% of GDP for the first time in decades, meeting NATO requirements.
Money is moving from helping poor countries to preparing for war.
Harnessing Collective Intelligence for Global Development
Imagine a multifunctional building that showcases government policies alongside research from NGOs and civil society organizations. By centralizing this information, we can leverage artificial intelligence in powerful new ways.
Envisioning the Future Together
Consider this AI-powered challenge:
“Design the most advanced Dutch global development strategy for 2030-2045.”
This timeframe mirrors the next cycle of UN Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, 193 member nations are working toward SDGs from 2015-2030. However, there’s a crucial distinction: governments set those goals. We represent the people’s vision.
Building a Citizens’ Monitoring Network
Our building network would track governmental progress—both nationally and globally. We’d conduct similar analytical work as governments, but through a distinctly citizen-centered lens.
What does “citizen perspective” mean? It prioritizes real-life experiences over bureaucratic processes. It values personal connection, clear solutions, and meaningful participation. Active citizens seek collaborative, tailored approaches rather than one-size-fits-all policies.
The Power of Data-Driven Intelligence
This network would harness advanced, data-driven AI systems. These tools analyze vast datasets, identify patterns, and generate predictions. Unlike traditional rule-based systems, modern AI adapts continuously. It transforms raw information into actionable insights, enabling smarter strategies and enhanced efficiency.
Crucially, these digital tools serve physical spaces. Our buildings provide venues where citizens meet, collaborate, and turn insights into action.
Strengthening Global Cooperation
As citizens, we advance global development from local foundations. We empower ourselves while simultaneously strengthening the United Nations—the world’s largest people-centered organization.
Our ultimate goal? Supporting the UN in achieving its ambitious vision: ending poverty, advancing equality, and building lasting peace for everyone, everywhere.
Together, we create a more informed, engaged, and effective global community.
