October 27th 2026

''It is the place where you can find each other.''

RefugeeWork is a job platform that connects employers and newcomer job seekers. "It's a place where talent finds a job, and colleagues find reinforcement. Online and throughout the Netherlands," explains Iris. But why is RefugeeWork needed right now? And what can employers do with it?

Employers and newcomers don't find each other automatically.

Employers are looking for staff. Newcomers are looking for work. Yet, in practice, finding each other turns out not to be so straightforward. According to Iris, you can look at the problem from two sides: "For newcomers, it's very difficult to find vacancies where they know the employer is open to someone with a refugee background." They regularly encounter barriers before any contact is even established. While, according to Iris, there is actually a lot of potential available: "There are many talented people who are very motivated and very eager to get to work."

On the other hand, employers are running into a different issue. As Iris describes it: "Employers say: I am open to this target group, but where do I find them?"

One patch in a patchwork quilt of solutions

This problem, where employers and newcomers struggle to find each other, is not so easy to solve. It is a tricky issue: "We’re trying to create a matching platform, even though we already know that the pieces of the puzzle won’t just fit together" says Iris.

RefugeeWork is therefore not a complete solution. As Iris describes it: "For complex problems, you need a patchwork of solutions. RefugeeWork is one patch of that."

Beyond the label

The distance between employers and newcomers does not arise only because they struggle to reach one another. Existing perceptions of newcomers also play a role. For instance, according to Iris, the idea often prevails "that they're all people who have little or no education and who cannot adapt." Iris argues that a more realistic picture emerges if you move beyond that perception. Behind the label 'newcomer' lies a large group of people with diverse backgrounds, education, work experiences, and ambitions.

Her advice is therefore simple: "Make sure you get into contact with people."

More than a job platform

RefugeeWork exists to make that first introduction possible.

RefugeeWork aims to make the initial point of contact between employers and newcomers easier and, in particular, to bridge the gap that currently exists.

But according to Iris, that meeting point is about more than just filling and posting vacancies. It is precisely by connecting with one another that employers have the opportunity to truly get to know newcomers. In this regard, it is important that "we start to see and experience the person behind the newcomer more," she explains.

The Hague's wish

"There is quite a commotion going on at the moment," says Iris. In doing so, she refers to the ambitions of Minister Aartsen , who wants to help an additional 75,000 newcomers find work over the next four years. RefugeeWork is eager to play a role in this. “RefugeeWork is already an accessible platform that brings employers and newcomers together. And at the same time, we are still at the beginning: we are further developing RefugeeWork and, together with all other initiatives in the field of newcomers and work, want to ensure sustainable structures. That is fun and exciting.”

Let’s get that first interview sorted!

Ultimately, it is about making it easier for employers to actually connect with talent. That is precisely why RefugeeWork is designed to be easily accessible.

To ensure the reliability and quality of employers, every organization first undergoes a brief screening. During this process, RefugeeWork checks, among other things: a valid Chamber of Commerce registration number, whether the information provided by an employer matches what is visible online, and any reports or articles about the organization.

"A strict requirement when posting a vacancy is that you actually respond to the incoming applications," Iris adds. "Because, well, nothing is as annoying as applying for something, drawing hope from it, and then simply being ignored and receiving no response."

For Iris, it ultimately revolves around the step from creating an online profile to meeting. It is precisely in that contact that the opportunity arises to look beyond assumptions and discover who is behind a profile.

This is how you find new talent for your organization:

Post your vacancy on RefugeeWork .
Optionally add additional questions to make an initial selection.
View candidate profiles and their answers to your questions.
Select the candidates who match the vacancy.
Find each other via a channel of your choice (e.g. WhatsApp, email, phone).