Policies for EU-mobile citizens:

Best practices on the local level

Inge Razenberg

Platform Integration & Society

EUROPEAN CONFERENCE

Local Welcoming policies for EU mobile citizens

May 18th - May 19th, 2016 - Amsterdam

Introduction

Platform Integration & Society

Research, consultation, practical advice and tools

with regard to issues of integration, migration

and diversity in the Netherlands. www.kis.nl

Research regarding EU-mobile citizens:Municipalities ((integration)policies, challenges)

EU-migrants (migration motive, experiences, expectations)

Toolkit integration policies EU migrants

Introduction

Inge Razenberg

Researcher Platform Integration & Society

(Verwey-Jonker Institute)

Local Researcher Amsterdam project ‘Local

Welcome Policies EU Mobile Citizens’

Best practices on the local level

Toolkit integration policies EU mobile citizens –

best practices at the local level (municipalities)

EU-migration to the Netherlands has increased:

half of EU-migrants settle (semi) permanent in

the Netherlands.

70% of Dutch municipalities

indicate challenges regarding

EU migration, but 61% does

not have policies (yet)

Best practices on the local level

Toolkit integration policies EU mobile citizens

– best practices at the local level

(municipalities)

“To inspire, inform and connect municipalities”

Best practices on the local level

Toolkit integration policies EU moblie citizens

– best practices at the local level (cities)

Best practices regarding:

Registration

Welcoming EU-migrants (information)

Language policies

Labour market; finding and keeping a job

Social contacts with natives

Children of EU-mobile citizens

Best practices on the local level:

registration

Registration at the municipality is necessary

to be able to direct integration policies to EU-

mobile citizens

Registration – Best practice

Group registration in municipality Westland

Meeting (in the evening) at town hall or

employer

Up to 200 registrations

each time

Best practices on the local level:

welcoming EU mobile citizens

Research of Platform Integration and Society

indicates that:

EU-moblie citizens need information regarding

practival issues

Information should be provided in the language

of the EU-mobile citizens

For lower skilled EU-mobile citizens: a physical

information point providing information and

support

Welcoming EU mobile citizens – Best

practice

Migrant Information Point Eindhoven

Volunteer organisation provides information

and support to EU-migrants in language of EU

migrants

Run by volunteers, municipality

provides funding

Best practices on the local level:

language policies

Investing in language education is essential

for integration

Language policies – best practice

Municipality of Amsterdam provides language

courses to EU mobile citizens

Thematic courses: language and work,

languages and finances

“A language course has to

be practical. You have to

be able to go to the doctor

and bring you child to school.”

Best practices on the local level:

labour market

EU-mobile citizens often have a job.

However; unstable jobs and jobs below their

educational level.

Recommendation: invest in the translation of

human capital to the Dutch labour market

Labour market – best practice

Municipality Peel & Maas; project Language &

Work

Dual program:

Language; information regarding Dutch

employee skills, the workplace, etc.

Education; Dutch certificates (BBL-traject)

In this way, EU mobile citizens (who are

planning to stay) are helped to find a higher

skilled job and their potential can be fully

utilized

certificate

Best practices on the local level: social

contacts with natives

The local research for Amsterdam indicates

that EU mobile citizens have difficulty

forming friendships with natives

Labour migrants sometimes live segregated

from the native population

Social contacts– best practice

Kumpel-project region Noord-Limburg

Polish resident matched to Dutch resident

During 6 months, they undertake activities

together

“Often, after six months,

buddies stay in contact. In this

way forming new, lasting

social contacts.”

Best practices on the local level:

children of EU mobile citizens

Parents need information about the Dutch

education and healthcare system

Schools experience difficulties reaching

parents

Children of EU mobile citizens – best

practice

Amsterdam offers language course for parents

At their childrens school, improving both

language and parent involvement

Toolkit

www.kis.nl/publicatie/staalkaart-eu-migranten

Questions?

Contact information:

IRazenberg@verwey-jonker.nl

+31 (30) 2300 799

www.kis.nl

www.verwey-jonker.nl/

LinkedIN

Toolkit integration policies EU

migrants

www.kis.nl/publicatie/staalkaart-

eu-migranten