Connections
Social connectedness with local and national institutions and access to rights and services is essential for full and democratic participation. When people experience a certain level of trust, it helps them feel at home.
Insights
Newcomers have difficulty connecting with (municipal) agencies.
People who do not speak Dutch or English find it difficult to get in touch with the municipality and organizations in the municipality. The DIGID system is perceived as complex. People who have already made contact with municipal agencies often encounter unfamiliarity with the implicit manners necessary for successful contact.
Collaborations with key individuals increases access to services and organizations in the Netherlands.
Key persons are people who themselves have lived experience as newcomers and use this experience professionally. This allows them to: 1) support newcomers in finding their way in NL 2) inform organizations, professionals or municipalities on how to connect well with newcomers 3) build a bridge between the lifeworlds of newcomers and the Dutch context.
From experience, key people know how to connect well with people and build trust. They also know what contextual translation is needed to convey information well for both newcomers and organizations and agencies.
To do this work well, paid preconditions must be met, such as offering appropriate compensation.
Design questions
How do you organize low-threshold contact with (municipal) agencies?
How do you secure collaboration with key people?
How can cooperation with key persons be structurally secured in a municipal approach? And how do you draw up job profiles of (the different roles of) key persons? While at the same time leaving room for the flexible ability of key persons to do what is needed and move with people.
