EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Improving the integration of asylum seekers

Improving the integration of asylum seekers - Woudrichem

Introduction

LETS Circle Woudrichem was an independent foundation, which aimed to improve the integration of asylum seekers in the Woudrichem community by offering them useful things to do.

Problem

How can immigrant residents help the asylum seekers combat the apathy of waiting and inactivity?

Description

In Woudrichem, 500 asylum seekers lived on a boat. They were not allowed to work, as they were awaiting the evaluation of their asylum application and could therefore not participate in Dutch society. In spite of this, a trading facility was nevertheless set up to involve them in society.

Approach

In Woudrichem, immigrant residents set up LETS Circle Woudrichem, (LCW). From 2000 to 2003, services and goods were exchanged between both population groups via a so-called LETS-system, or Local Exchange Trading System.

Rather than using euros, this local trading network used a local currency called the Druppel. One Druppel is worth one euro. Participants can use it to pay for services and goods. Exchange points can only be used to pay other participants in the system.

Results

More than 250 Dutch and asylum seekers participated in the local trade network in Woudrichem. In the first case, LCW mediated to find work with Dutch private individuals. Later, they also mediated with companies where asylum seekers could work, in the form of a work placement, for Druppels (a form of currency). In recent years, € 250,000 worth of Druppels was generated by more than 5,000 transactions.
The asylum seekers were given the opportunity to work on their own lives and develop themselves further. The participants of the LCW speak relatively good Dutch and can fend for themselves.
The results contrast sharply with the stories of asylum seekers in other AZCs. These people hardly leave their AZC and therefore learn to speak very little Dutch – even after years of being in the Netherlands.
The initiative-takers think that the participants in LCW are made better able to live in Dutch society; not only as asylum seekers but also as possible future residents of the Netherlands.

Financing

Cost: € 158,823. This was principally financed by the Start Foundation.

Contact info

LETS Circle Woudrichem
Ms A. Stoopendaal, tel. +31 18 3304903

Project start date

01/11/2000

Links

Start Foundation (in Dutch)

Final report LETS Circle (PDF, Dutch, 266KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation