Matched to Work

Every year, thousands of people arrive in the Netherlands after fleeing conflict and hardship in their home countries. Many bring years of trade experience, technical training or professional qualifications with them, yet find themselves stuck in reception centres for months while nearby employers struggle to fill vacancies. In cities like Eindhoven and Veldhoven, that mismatch is stark: manufacturers report a shortage of technical staff, while people housed just a few kilometres away are ready and willing to work but have no route into the job.

Matched to Work (Job Placement for Refugee Jobseekers from IsDB Member Countries in the Netherlands), backed by the Islamic Development Bank and delivered by GlocalShift together with United Work, sets out to close that gap. Over two years, the programme will help 160 refugee status holders move into decent, sustainable jobs, supporting them not just to get hired but to stay employed, with at least 80% still in work after twelve months and pay at or above the Dutch minimum wage.

The approach is built on GlocalShift and United Work's proven track record: intensive, hands-on support at reception centres, paired directly with employers who need staff. Rather than one-off placements, the programme is designed to leave behind a model that municipalities and national authorities can pick up and repeat, so its impact continues well beyond the funding period.