OpenEmbassy

The Netherlands is one of the most abundant societies in the world, and yet migrants and refugees struggle to fulfill their true potential. Only 50% are employed, often in low-paid, part-time jobs far below their capabilities, and another 50% are dependent on welfare. OpenEmbassy works in cities where 25% of welfare recipients are people with a refugee background.

OpenEmbassy designs and implements an integration model based on the needs and knowledge of newcomers. They support newcomers’ daily needs through data-driven and community-informed integration tools such as a digital helpdesk, a school buddy system, and ‘livelihood action teams’ that address employment challenges. Informed by evidence-driven models, OpenEmbassy extracts data out of all their programs and tools to drive new, effective and inclusive policies.

OpenEmbassy’s feedback loops help local governments learn from the experiences and knowledge of newcomers. Through direct support to newcomers, OpenEmbassy informs governments at the city, regional and national levels what changes are needed for more effective approaches toward integration. They create access to the abundance of services the Netherlands has to offer, including jobs, health care, housing, social networks, governmental services, and other basic needs. 60% of their work is contracted with public actors, like governments, that demonstrate acknowledgment of the problem and a willingness to pay to change it.

In the next 5 years, OpenEmbassy aims for their integration model to be used by all Dutch cities. Each Dutch city should have their own locally-installed feedback loop, ensuring that all policies and services are informed by the experiences, needs and knowledge of newcomers. OpenEmbassy will also expand their reach to other European cities with comparable welfare states, allowing the European abundance to actually serve newcomers and newcomers to achieve their full potential.