Welcoming newcomers to the Netherlands
Moving to another country, whether by choice or not, is much more than finding a job, a place to live, health care and schools for the children. It is also about making new contacts with local institutions and residents, and finding your own people. Perhaps it sounds simpler than it really is. Yet experience shows that the stress level of moving is often underestimated. Read on to learn how participation in local communities can be healing and fulfilling during the adjustment and integration into a new society.
Navigating a new beginning
- A guide for newcomers to the Netherlands
In 2015, when I first moved to the Netherlands, I didn't know anyone in the new country and for the first month I was afraid to even answer "yes" to "bag needed?". Later, I started meeting random acquaintances who had nothing in common with me except the experience of immigration. Surprisingly, you can't build good relationships on such a basis. That's how the first community arose eight years ago, which I have been building ever since.
KOLO Community
- Fostering unity among newcomers in the Netherlands.
In 2022, when Russia fully invaded Ukraine, and during the year that followed, about 100,000 new Ukrainian newcomers arrived in the Netherlands. These were people who had not chosen immigration, hastily packing their belongings, often in a single backpack, and coming face to face with a new country they knew no one and knew little about. In this moment, the KOLO community was born: a place where people support each other.
The community included both newly arrived Ukrainians and Ukrainians who had been living in the Netherlands for some time. At first it looked like a help desk - discussions about finding a doctor, school, housing. But once the basics of the 14 indicators for integration were completed - housing, work, school for children - the value of the community changed.
Building bridges
- How community empowers newcomers to the Netherlands
Of course, we welcome anyone who wants to join the community, but there are some rules that are sent before anyone is added to the Telegram chat. They are basic, but it is worth discussing them so that each participant immediately gets the impression: if I respect others here, I will also be respected here. This created a safe space where people could be themselves.
"I can come to a KOLO meeting and just be close to myself, be quiet when I'm not in the mood to talk. I remember tears at the meetings that spoke more than words. And a community that allows you to cry and be accepted is golden!"
In addition to a safe space and shared values, here are some basic tricks I always use to create a welcoming, warm and safe environment during community meetings for newcomers.
KOLO's recipe for success in the community:
- Shared values and inclusive spaces.
- Q&A: If a new potential participant has questions about the community - I'm happy to answer them: our rules, values, activities. We also create public material from time to time with feedback from members, so that everyone can easily access it and get an impression of the atmosphere in the community.
- Warm welcome: Greet participants warmly and make them feel valued from the moment they arrive. Introduce them to the group and emphasize the friendly and inclusive nature of the community. Here, name tags work great to transition from strangers to a person whose name I know.
- Inclusive atmosphere: There are set rules for joining the community and at the beginning of each event I repeat them, reminding participants, "Please follow these rules to create a safe atmosphere where you can be everyone." And if you feel uncomfortable, you are protected by the group and a moderator.
- Cultural sensitivity: All participants have different experiences and backgrounds and it is essential to remain sensitive to our diversity by simply acknowledging it.
- Feedback mechanism: After each event, I write a personal message to everyone who participated, specifically thanking that person and asking for honest feedback, both positive and negative, to improve the next event and stay in touch with community needs and requests.
- Events Calendar: An Instagram page, easily navigable website or telegram group with pinned posts where participants can check upcoming events and activities, contribute to be more involved in the life of the community or share information with others is helpful.
- Helpdesk: Make sure the community is a place of support and if someone has questions, they are welcome to ask them, as there are plenty of people with different experiences in the community.
- Interaction with participants: In addition to finding friends or project partners, participants also actively contribute to the development of the community. Therefore, involving participants in the development of the community makes it even more comprehensive in terms of mutual interaction.
A real example of how the KOLO community helped:
"A message in the chat says the girls are looking for cheaper housing in Amsterdam because they are going to a meeting. I invite them to stay overnight with me because I can and trust them, and all because they are from KOLO! I kept communicating with one of the girls and on January 4 she started working at a place I had recommended (my former workplace). If it had been another chat, I might have missed it."
I invite them to spend the night with me because I can and trust them, all because they are from KOLO!
Three types of social connections
According to the 14 indicators of integration, there are three types of social connections that are important for newcomers to feel at home and build their lives in a new country: with local institutions, local residents and among other newcomers.
Based on these moments, the following events were organized: Stress management meetings were held in collaboration with the local organization AWB, where participants felt accepted and worked through accumulated stress in an informal atmosphere.
Together with Petra ter Doest and Stacci Pierce, several webinars were held on job search in the Netherlands and adjustment in a new country. The webinar was viewed by thousands of people.
Reading sessions, goal setting workshops, exchange meetings for integration experiences between participants and many others were organized. What makes the KOLO community even more inclusive is that participants themselves suggest and organize events for others, enriching the community.
"What impresses me most are the incredible women gathered here and how attentively you lead the activities, paying attention to everyone. No matter exactly what we do; I feel at home with you. Whatever you suggest, the gathering will be filled with warmth and meaning."
If you are on a journey of building connections, understanding, and a sense of belonging in a new community, or you're a newcomer or someone passionate about fostering inclusivity, I'm here to help. Feel free to reach out if you have questions, need guidance, or simply want to share your experiences. Together, we can create a meaningful community where everyone feels valued and supported.
Contact Anna Bilenka and let's begin this journey of connection and integration together.
Photo by Kyle Smith
