Knowledge by, for and about newcomers
Knowledge by, for and about newcomers
Social Service Expert Pool
Ministry of OCW
September 2024 - January 2025
MDT
Report
MDT is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), in collaboration with the Integration Policy Department of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW). The aim is to support young people in their participation in society. In the Meedoen pilot project, OCW and SZW have joined forces to reach a broader target group of newcomers. Within the project, we specifically researched the target group of young newcomers living in asylum seekers' centers (azc).
To this end, we gathered targeted feedback and insights from the young newcomers themselves, via expert pools. MDT offers young people the opportunity to get involved in society, develop their talents, and build new social contacts. By gathering the experiences of participating newcomers, we want to gain insight into how the program contributes to their personal and professional growth.
Through expert pools in various municipalities, young newcomers are given a platform to share their experiences and suggestions directly with the research team. This helps us understand what works well for them within MDT and where there is room for improvement. The insights gained from these conversations are used to further develop the MDT program and adapt it to the needs of participating newcomers.
The ultimate goal is to strengthen young people's social participation and support them in their integration and future plans. Discussions with young newcomers within the expert pools show that MDT is already making a valuable contribution to their integration, language development, and self-confidence. Young newcomers experience MDT as an opportunity to build new social networks, feel useful, and strengthen their future prospects. Personal guidance and the informal setting in particular contribute to their involvement and well-being.
At the same time, there are important areas for improvement, such as limited visibility of MDT in asylum seekers' centers, administrative barriers, and the lack of formal recognition of the experience gained. The insights from the study will be used to better align MDT with the needs of young people so that it has a positive impact on their lives and their role in society.
