The Province of Drenthe provides a subsidy of €350,000 to the municipality of Assen for the continuation of the project Faster Start, Stronger Future. This project assists residents of the asylum seekers center (AZC) in Assen in finding paid work and contributes to their integration into society. In May, the municipal council of Assen decided to continue and expand the project until January 1, 2027, with the continuation being carried out in close collaboration with surrounding municipalities.
Many asylum seekers want to work, contribute to society, and become financially independent. However, the path to work is often challenging due to regulations and cultural differences. With the project Faster Start, Stronger Future, the municipality of Assen has made changes to this.
Pilot
The project originated from a motion by the municipal council of Assen on July 20, 2023, calling for faster employment of asylum seekers. During the pilot period from June 2024 to May 2025, 22 AZC residents were successfully guided to paid employment. The collaboration between the COA, Workplein Drentsche Aa (WPDA), and local employers played a central role in this. Job hunters assisted residents in finding work, provided information to employers, and remained involved after placement to offer guidance and coaching as needed.
Inclusivity
The pilot has shown that this approach works. Therefore, a follow-up trajectory has been developed that runs until January 1, 2027, aiming to guide 75 AZC residents to employment. The municipal council approved this on May 21 of this year. The Province of Drenthe is co-financing this follow-up in light of the initiative note from Volt, which calls for additional efforts to guide asylum seekers towards employment.
Deputy Yvonne Turenhout of the Province of Drenthe stated: “As a province, we want to contribute to an inclusive society, as also expressed in our Social Agenda 2024-2029. The project Faster Start, Stronger Future is a good example of how integration and labor participation go hand in hand. By actively guiding asylum seekers to work, we not only strengthen their future prospects but also the Drenthe society as a whole.”
Sustainable Integration
The follow-up trajectory includes various improvements compared to the pilot, including an expansion of capacity, more intensive guidance, and strengthened collaboration with regional partners. This not only aims for more placements but also for sustainable integration and participation of AZC residents in Drenthe society.
