Together in Nuenen - From Welcome to Participation, Starting on Day 1

The Nuenen community is a place where people look out for one another and everyone can participate. Equal opportunities, tailored support—this vision applies to everyone who lives here, even temporarily. An asylum seekers’ center is not separate from society. The people who live there are residents of Nuenen. That is why we’ve chosen an integrated approach: not just shelter, but the whole person and the entire living environment. Housing, well-being, health, safety, education, language, work, participation, and social interaction. Participation begins on day one. When people know one another, they can connect. Those who participate grow. Those who feel included feel at home. We put this into practice based on five pillars.

Not every new resident stays in Nuenen. Some move to another municipality. And some are denied residency status and have to leave again. Even then, the same principle applies: investing in people pays off. Not just in euros, but also because we treated them as human beings—with respect, a chance, and a place where they can belong. That’s a gain, even if our municipality never sees any return on that investment.

Five Pillars

1. Belonging— From a Warm Welcome to Getting to Know One Another

What: Meet, connect, be part of the community.

Why: Behindevery new resident is a name, a story, and a talent. Interaction brings that to light. And it works both ways: the better residents and newcomers know each other, the safer and more pleasant it feels for everyone.

How:

  • Neighborhood Activities and Pop-Up Gatherings (Meet & Eat)
  • Pairing buddies: one resident and one new resident (or family)
  • Getting to Know Sports Clubs and Organizations
  • Group walks through the village

Result:

  • Less "us versus them" thinking, less anxiety caused by unfamiliarity
  • Greater (social) safety for residents
  • New residents who feel seen and welcome
  • Anyone can participate

2. Development— From Language to Self-Confidence

What:Learn a language, discover your talents, develop yourself.

Why: Withoutlanguage, there is no communication, no work, and no independence. Language and talent are the key to everything that comes after.

How:

  • Dutch and English language classes as a stepping stone—something everyone can benefit from
  • Credential Evaluation and Guidance Toward Education and Training
  • Preparing Children for School, Digital Skills

Result:

  • Faster Transition to Independence
  • Better alignment between work and education
  • A Stronger Foundation for Integration

3. Contributions— From Talent to Contribution

What: Get involvedby making a difference for others and for Nuenen.

Why: Loiteringand boredom fuel unrest. A purposeful day spent working, volunteering, or participating in a club makes people feel they’re making a difference. That’s what everyone wants. At the same time, there are job openings in Nuenen, and WSD has projects underway that could use some extra help. New residents who get involved are visibly giving back, and Nuenen benefits as a result.

How:

  • Work as quickly and appropriately as possible, using job placement services and a job fair
  • Work-study programs and volunteer work, including through WSD projects
  • Gauging residents' interest: who can and wants to do what

Result:

  • Less boredom and restlessness at the shelter
  • Job openings that are (partially) filled
  • Visible, mutual contribution; not a one-way street

4. Independent & Healthy—From Dependence to Self-Direction

What: Accessto the basics that everyone needs to participate.

Why: Workpays off for both residents and the municipality. Those who work pay taxes and contribute to the costs of social services. Those who work do not fall into a black hole: this promotes integration, prevents dependence on welfare, and reduces the risk of depression and unrest.

How:

  • Setting Up Your BSN, DigiD, and Bank Account, with Explanations
  • Explanation of the Dutch healthcare system, taxes, and benefits
  • Knowledge of Dutch society: norms and values, public transportation, finances

Result:

  • Reduced reliance on public assistance and Health
  • Financial benefit for the municipality and the COA
  • Improved mental well-being, reduced risk of escalation

5. Living Together— From Living Side by Side to Living Together

What: Acomprehensive approach in which everyone takes responsibility.

Why: Thiswon’t work if everyone just does what they’re formally required to do. Participation fosters integration, and getting involved makes a difference. Only when the municipality, the COA, residents, community organizations, and business owners work together—each from their own role—will the refugee reception center become an integral part of Nuenen rather than an isolated entity on the outskirts.

How:

  • Municipal consultation and a residents' council
  • Neighborhood Meeting with Local Residents
  • Distinguish Between Status Holders and Asylum Seekers in the Approach
  • Actively Utilizing Volunteers' Specific Knowledge

Result:

  • Shared ownership instead of “The COA has to handle it”
  • Less friction between the parties
  • An approach that holds up, even when things get tough

From Policy to Implementation

All pillars are being further developed. We have started with pillar 3: Contributions—from talent to contribution

Volunteer work is more than just a way to spend the day. It’s a place where people can be themselves again, make a contribution, and feel like they belong. This pillar is based on a simple principle: everyone has something to offer, and Nuenen benefits from that.

A win-win-win

For the new resident. Contributing—whether through work or volunteer activities—gives structure to the day and restores the sense of being a person, rather than just a “resident of the asylum seekers’ center.” It prevents worries and anxieties from taking over when there is nothing to do. Those who work earn money and help build their own future. And it directly contributes to participation and integration.

For employers and organizations. Nuenenand the surrounding area have job openings and a shortage of workers. This is where supply and demand meet. New colleagues and volunteers also bring diversity to the workplace.

For the municipality. Loiteringand boredom fuel unrest, while active participation does not. New residents who get involved get to know people and thereby contribute to social safety in the village. Those who invest now will reap the benefits later. Integration happens more quickly, and once someone has a job, there is less reliance on welfare. That’s a win for Nuenen and for the Netherlands.

The COA conducts interviews with each new resident covering the six areas of life—the methodology the COA uses to assess a person’s situation at Map :

  1. Self-care: hygiene, health, a clean living space
  2. Daily routine: work, school, training, or activities
  3. Social network: contactwith fellow residents, family, and the neighborhood
  4. Personal Well-Being: MentalHealth and Coping with Stress
  5. External contacts: agencies, counselors, attorney, municipality
  6. Future Planning: AFuture in the Netherlands, the Country of Origin, or Elsewhere

Each resident’s talents, background, education, (work) experience, language skills, and future plans are identified and compiled into a talent profile. This Map serves as the foundation for making a good match.

The Work Table

On October 12, 2026, we will hold our first Working Group meeting, with participants including: COA, WSD, Werk en Inkomen, APS Personeelsservices, OCN, and Centrummanagement Nuenen. We want to take a very practical approach to identifying opportunities and agreeing on how we will work together. We will do this in six steps:

  1. Question: Whatjob openings do employers have, and where are there opportunities for volunteer work?
  2. Opportunity: Whichresidents would like to do (volunteer) work?
  3. Match: WhoFits Where?
  4. Barriers: Whatstands in the way of a match (for example: language, BSN number)?
  5. Solution: Whois responsible for what, and what is needed to make that happen?
  6. Transition: Whathappens if someone is granted a residence permit and moves to another municipality?