Nieuws · 14 June 2019
Many municipalities are still struggling with the new Civic Integration Act
The responsibility for civic integration is shifting to the municipalities. The new civic integration system will take effect on January 1, 2021. The current civic integration system is insufficiently effective.
Civic integration stands alone, and there are insufficient incentives for customization and quality. In collaboration with partners such as ROCs, private language education providers, and employers, effective civic integration must now take shape. A survey by TopTaal and Binnenlands Bestuur shows that many municipalities are far from ready for their new tasks.
Self-reliant
For permit holders, the new system focuses on a continuous line starting from the reception phase. However, municipalities will be responsible for the entire civic integration process. The municipality's directing role in civic integration begins with a broad intake. Learning and participating must go hand in hand, and both aspects must be included in a personal plan. The newcomer must receive appropriate assistance from the municipality to become self-reliant.
To what extent are municipalities ready for the transfer of responsibility for civic integration to the local level? To find out, private language trainer TopTaal and Binnenlands Bestuur jointly conducted a survey among municipalities in which 82 municipalities participated. Through the survey, Binnenlands Bestuur and TopTaal want to know what impact the new civic integration policy has on municipalities and whether they have already finished reformulating the new policy.
What activities does this lead to, what are the objectives, and how are these managed and monitored? And with whom do the municipalities collaborate to achieve these objectives? The general trend emerging from the survey can be easily summarized. For almost half of the municipalities, the impact is significant: 45% must formulate new policy, and for 49%, the policy must be 'slightly adjusted'. Only 6% of municipalities already meet the requirements of the new Civic Integration Act.
Nevertheless, experts believe – despite the results of our survey, which mainly show municipalities still searching for direction – that municipalities can be ready for their new responsibility for newcomers in 2021, provided they start now. On June 27, a third cabinet letter from Minister Koolmees regarding civic integration will be released, which will also provide the necessary clarity.
Taking the lead together
After the summer, municipalities can really step up the pace. Municipalities must now take control and, together with employers, ROCs, private language providers, COA, and the Dutch Council for Refugees, solve the problems surrounding permit holders in particular. It is important to do this together with other municipalities in a regional approach. This way, you create volume and can develop innovative approaches with various regional parties.