• dr. S. (Sergio) Espana Cubillo
• prof. dr. Niels Bosma
• drs. Martijn Arnoldus MA
• Arjan van Dorsselaer
• prof. dr. ir. Fredo Schotanus

• prof. dr. T. de Moor
• prof. dr. C. Hummels
• dr. M. Hogestijn

The international consortium Welcoming Spaces investigates new ways to merge two policy challenges: how to contribute to the revitalisation of shrinking areas in Europe, while also offering space for the successful integration of non-EU migrants. For this purpose the researchers have selected fifty examples of ‘Welcoming Spaces’ across Europe. A Welcoming Space is a local initiative to attract migrants and revitalize the region.

The aim of ‘Welcoming Spaces’ is to create a platform that makes these examples visible and allows practitioners and researchers to learn from successful and unsuccessful approaches in a wide variety of geographical, political and social contexts. The selected examples will be analysed from different perspectives, varying from representations of the public discourse and media, geographic and institutional contexts and the local-migrant capacity to act.

Welcoming Spaces is coordinated by Prof. Annelies Zoomers (principal investigator) and Dr Karin Geuijen

• Jana Finke MSc
• dr. Bianca Szytniewski
• dr. ir. Marlies Meijer MSc
• prof. dr. Annelies Zoomers
• prof. dr. Maggi Leung
• dr. Sara Miellet MSc, MA

The Utrecht Refugee Launchpad is an initiative which aims to enable an inclusive approach to facilitate the integration of asylum-seekers from day one. Recognising that cities play an important role in the reception and integration of asylum seekers, Utrecht city council in collaboration with a range of local partners has opened a new centre, based on a shared living concept which brings local young people and asylum seekers to live together. This innovative reception facility will seek the establishment and development of social networks with neighbours, encouraging newcomers to participate and build relationships with those from the locality to generate solutions to improve living in the centre, neighbourhood and city. Participants, both asylum-seekers and local young people will be offered training courses in English language, entrepreneurship and international business. Through the support of expert coaching and opportunities to connect locally and space and time given for the incubation of new business ideas, participants will be supported as they develop future-proof skills that will be of benefit to them whether in the Netherlands or elsewhere, thereby encouraging the repair of broken narratives and/or halting the negative spiral created by the usual approach to reception.

The evaluation and research strand is being conducted by Dr Karin Geuijen Dr Rianne Dekker Dr Caroline Oliver Dr Sarah Spencer

https://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/project/utrecht-refugee-launchpad/

https://www.uia-initiative.eu/en/uia-cities/utrecht

• dr. Rianne Dekker

• dr. Caroline Oliver
• dr. Sarah Spencer

Evaluation of input, throughput, output and outcome of the Buzinezz Club, a social enterprise which aims to curb youth unemployment by offering intensive collaborative trainings on starting your own business, getting a job, or selecting and doing a study. 

• prof. dr. Niels Bosma