EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Working towards the naturalisation of old comers

Working towards the naturalisation of old comers - the Purmerend Key Project

Introduction

The old comers’ naturalisation project in the city of Purmerend has been given the name Project Sleutel (Key Project). The metaphor of the key stands for opening up new opportunities and chances. The project was started in the middle of 2001 at one central location, the ROC (Regional College).

Problem

The naturalisation of old comers in Purmerend.

Description

Considering the social map of Purmerend, the project was from the outset mainly aimed at parents, as this was the largest target category within the old comers (i.e. individuals of 18 years or older born outside of the EU and in possession of a valid residence permit or Dutch passport) target group.

In 2002, a decisive switch to a decentralised working method was made in addition to offering district-oriented courses. The reasons for this were:

To lower the threshold for participation by offering the courses on a smaller scale and by organising them in the users’ own area.
To complement the existing relationship that the primary schools already had with potential participants in the target group.
To improve the courses offered in the pursuit of a programme that optimally complements the characteristics and possibilities of the participants.
To improve the enrolment and intake of old comers who are often quite difficult to reached.

Approach

In 2002, an intermediary was appointed for the project. This contact person is able to make and maintain contact with a very varied target group of old comers in a more targeted and intensive way. A conscious choice was made for a person-oriented and activating working method. With regard to enrolment and intake, the work is done in cooperation with the Social Services, the Project Moeders Informeren Moeders (Mothers Inform Mothers)/ Home Start and district health officers from Child Welfare.

Results

The Dutch language and parenting support dual programme has been organised in cooperation with 12 primary schools in 4 districts and at 6 locations. The educational content is provided by the ROC (Regional College). For the project, a coordinator works for the educative programme and is responsible for the development of suitable programmes, the content of the parent participation component and the optimum harmonisation of the project and primary schools.

In 2003, approx. 75 old comers (women) participated in the dual language programme plus parenting support component, which was organised on a district basis under the name of "Ouders Op School" (Parents at School). Participants who score very low or very high in language, and who therefore did not fit within this concept, are referred to the ROC.

Contact info

PRIMO nh (provincial advisory agency for social policy)
H. Sleven, tel. +31 29 9418700

Project start date

31/08/2001

Links

PRIMO nh (in Dutch)

Project Integration Oldcomers Purmerend (PDF, Dutch, 13KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Education

Keywords

Primary education