EUKN - Netherlands - Helping refugees to find work - the 'putting newcomers to work' project

Helping refugees to find work - the 'putting newcomers to work' project

Introduction

The 'Nieuwkomers aan de slag' (‘Putting newcomers to work’) project focused on helping Afghan, Iraqi, Iranian and Somali refugees in Amersfoort to find work. The key figures in the project were the four bridging officers. This staff, who also came from the abovementioned countries, were the contacts and coaches for the clients from their own group. A total of approx. 300 people who were entitled to benefits were involved in the project.

Problem

How can people from the target group be socially activated in a good way so that the distance to Dutch society is made smaller?

Description

'Nieuwkomers aan de slag' was accommodated in Activering (Activation), the department of Social Security that is responsible for assisting and getting people who are entitled to benefits involved. In the framework of 'Nieuwkomers aan de slag', so-called bridging officers were appointed at the Activation Centre. In order to better serve the more than 450 Afghans, Iraqis, Iranians and Somalis who were entitled to benefit, four people were recruited from this group. The bridging officers were selected after being nominated by the self-help organisations.

Approach

A bridging officer in Amersfoort started by visiting the client at home. In familiar surroundings and an informal atmosphere, the client’s desires and possibilities were discussed. After the client’s situation had been clearly mapped out, the bridging officer offered a tailored plan that was designed to ultimately lead to work or social activities. A plan could consist of further education, a Dutch language course, work placement or a combination hereof.

Results

The social participation of people from the target group generally appeared to be reasonably successful.
401 clients from the target group were supported within the scope of the project.
By working with bridging officers and a specific offer, people got involved where the expectations were that they would not has otherwise gotten involved.
The social activation appeared to be particularly successful with the Iranian women and Afghan men.
Various activities were organised at the request or initiative of people from the target group.
For the Somalis and Iraqis, empowerment turned out to be relatively difficult.
In the project period, a total of 37 clients took up work.
The bridging officers set up various courses with a teacher who also spoke the mother language. 140 clients participated in this. For various clients the courses in their own language were a springboard to other social activities.

Contact info

The city of Amersfoort
J. de la Croix, tel. +31 33 4695695

Project start date

01/06/2002

Links

City of Amersfoort Mare, German EQUAL partner project on migration and employment (in German)EQUAL European Community initiative in Austria

Putting newcomers to work. Evaluation of the EQUAL project in Amersfoort (PDF, Dutch, 314KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Social services