Many municipalities are still struggling with a new integration law

Integration is a standalone program and there are insufficient incentives for customized solutions and quality. In collaboration with partners such as regional training centers, private taalEducation and employers must now put good integration into practice. A survey by TopTaal and Domestic Affairs shows that many municipalities are far from ready for their new tasks.

Self-reliant

For status holders, the new system focuses on a continuous line from the shelter. But the municipalities will be responsible for the entire integration process. The directing role of the municipality for integration starts with a broad intake. Learning and participation must go hand in hand and both aspects must be included in a personal plan. The integrator must receive appropriate help from the municipality to become self-reliant.

To what extent are municipalities ready to transfer responsibility for integration to the local level? To find out, private taaltrainer TopTaal and Binnenlands Bestuur jointly conducted a survey among municipalities in which 82 municipalities participated. Through the survey, Binnenlands Bestuur and TopTaal know what impact the new integration policy has on the municipalities and whether they have already completed the reformulation of the new policy.

To which activities does this lead, which objectives and how is this controlled and monitored? And with whom do municipalities work together to achieve these objectives? The main line that emerges from the survey can easily be summarized. The impact is large for almost half of the municipalities: 45 percent must formulate new policy and with 49 percent the policy must be 'slightly adjusted'. Only 6 percent of the municipalities already meet the requirements of the new integration law.

Nevertheless, experts - despite the results of our survey, which mainly shows searching municipalities - think that municipalities in 2021 can be ready for their new responsibility for integrators, as long as they start now. 27 June there will be a third government letter from Minister Koolmees about integration, which will also provide the necessary clarity.

Taking control together

After the summer, municipalities can really give full gas. Municipalities must now take control and started with employers, vocational colleges, private taalProviders, the COA (Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers), and the Dutch Council for Refugees (VluchtelingenWerk) are solving the problems, particularly those surrounding refugees with refugee status. It's crucial to do this together with other municipalities, within a regional approach. This creates volume and allows for the development of innovative approaches with the various regional partners.