About us

It started in 2015 with an idea. An inclusively designed online help desk where newcomers could ask questions and get answers from Dutch people: OpenEmbassy. Since then, our close-knit team has been working with data-driven solutions and policies to create a society in which newcomers can thrive. We gather valuable knowledge by, for and about newcomers, supported by hundreds of volunteers and working for 25% of municipalities.

Towards an evidence-based integration policy

We look at the support of newcomers from the perspective of Alison and Strang's Indicator of Integration Framework. A scientifically founded model based on the experiences of newcomers themselves, which we developed intensively for the Dutch context together with the founders.

In all our projects, we gather knowledge based on this evidence-based model. It helps design, develop, measure and evaluate integration policies. And forms a framework that both policymakers and implementers can adapt to their dynamic and specific local context.

"Thank you for the fine collaboration. The way you manage to translate the perspective of the groups at stake in a constructive way towards the government is enormously important and valuable!"

"We are the glue in a lot of projects. People start to empathize with each other better, so standard prejudices disappear. So newcomers understand better what the municipality is for, and municipalities start to understand better what newcomers are up against."

"We were really taken care of; the city conversations were structured, with clear returns and excellent leadership."

"The training made you really experience cultural differences: teachers showed how they experienced it with examples from their own lives. A relaxed day with safe feeling and room for humor. So instructive ánd super fun."

"Good to meet many employees of the municipality and other organizations, share experiences, get to know people and look into the future. We are impressed with how the Ukraine project is developing in Almere and look forward to the next steps."

Rooted in communities

With complex issues, no one person "knows it. But everyone involved has bits of knowledge independently. That is why we like to build learning communities: an intricate network of diverse groups of newcomers, experienced Dutch people and professionals who learn together and develop smart solutions. As a result, we know the living environment of people well. And our research projects are always rooted in practice.

"See newcomers themselves as a source of knowledge and use them in the solutions you develop. Then you have a greater chance that those solutions will work."

Renée Frissen, director OpenEmbassy

Creative, empathetic, connecting

We are an inclusive, creative research firm and A Great Place to Work. Because diversity in backgrounds and perspectives is necessary for our work. You can tell by the composition of our team, our DNA and the way we work together.

Justice | Curiosity | Authenticity | Questioning Status Quo

Our cooperation partners

We learn from our cooperation partners and our partners learn from us. By listening carefully and sharing knowledge, together we can improve the system.