We help to integrate female newcomers through employment, starting with 7 weeks of career readiness training (Lotus Flower Programme). The level of a newcomer's Dutch language skills, even after passing integration exams, can be a barrier to employment. We provide further support to female newcomers offering them conversation classes. With us, women will push their language skills that little bit further and succeed in a job interview.
She Matters' Lotus Flower Programme empowers female newcomers with the knowledge, skills and emotional support needed to enter the labour market. We support municipalities in effectively integrating female newcomers into the labour market, reducing the financial burden caused by unemployment and other related costs. We place female newcomers into jobs that match their unique skill sets, while also filling skills gaps within companies. She Matters is working towards a better future for all.
This microproject will help a female newcomer to improve her spoken Dutch and reduce this particular barrier to her employment. It will also enable her to be a better role model for her children - especially daughters. She'll also change the perception of potential employers about the language skills of our candidates. Communication is key during interviews, as well as when being onboarded and networking at work. She'll therefore also gain self-confidence communicating with her colleagues.
Our big dot on the horizon is to implement 4 Lotus Flower Programmes in 4 cities in the Netherlands, 3 times per year. This will result in 520 graduates by the end of 2023. Our work supports 7 UN SDGs: SDG 1: No poverty; SDG 4: Quality education; SDG 5: Gender equality; SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth; SDG 10: Reduced inequalities; SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities; SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
