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Are you an Impact Manager at a company based in Amsterdam? Then we know one thing for sure: your work is invaluable. At Business Involved Amsterdam , we collaborate with Impact Managers like you every day – building sustainable connections between businesses and social organizations across the city. We understand your role. In fact, we speak your language. You’re the Bridge Between Purpose and Performance As an Impact Manager, you turn social ambitions into real-world results. You develop strategies, coordinate volunteering projects, and make sure impact data doesn’t collect dust – but lands on your leadership’s agenda. You inspire colleagues, convince stakeholders, and constantly balance internal objectives with external needs. But let’s be honest: it’s not always easy. You’re working with limited time, often need to build internal buy-in, and face growing community demands. You want to take action – but also show what your work is achieving, with both numbers and stories. Sound familiar? That’s where we come in. How We Support You Business Involved Amsterdam is the platform where companies and social initiatives join forces. We combine knowledge of the social sector with business expertise – helping you make your impact structural and visible. Here’s what you gain as an Impact Manager: ✅ The right network We know Amsterdam’s social organizations – and where your efforts will make a real difference. ✅ Time saved We provide proven formats and inspiring programs that are ready to go. ✅ A stronger business case We translate impact into clear reports and compelling stories for your HR team, executives, or internal comms. ✅ Increased internal buy-in We help turn volunteering into more than just a one-off day – it becomes part of your company culture. ✅ A sparring partner at your level Whether you’re just getting started or have years of experience, we offer support on both strategic and operational levels. Why You Matter Impact Managers are essential to building a more inclusive and connected Amsterdam. Your work mobilizes companies and empowers social organizations. And it deserves support – not just from your team, but from a partner who truly understands what it takes. Ready to create more impact – together? Reach out to Business Involved Amsterdam. Together, we make corporate social engagement practical, visible, and sustainable. 📩 Get in touch – we’re here to help. (photo: Pexels)

At Business Involved, we connect organisations to social initiatives and help them and their employees make a positive contribution to the region. To make cooperation between a company and a social initiative successful, it is important to then make good agreements. After all, good cooperation is not a matter of course and good intentions do not always lead directly to good results. Our tips for making projects run smoothly: As a company, state clearly what you can help with and also what you cannot pick up. And, as an organisation, also dare to indicate whether this offer really helps you. When will the project be ready? Determine the tasks together so that it is clear when it is finished. Agree how and when to give feedback and how to do it. This keeps agreements and expectations clear. Decide who will communicate with each other when and about what so that you can switch quickly and avoid noise. And most importantly: Keep laughing, have fun and keep an open mind! We can well imagine that you run into issues when you are setting up your CSR policy or when you start working with corporate volunteers for the first time. Thanks to our experience, we can help you further. We like to be Involved!

Volunteering from companies has long ceased to be a one-off team activity. It can become a strategic and ongoing part of your social involvement and your business operations. Do you want to know how your organization can make a real impact and at the same time strengthen the collaboration with civil society organizations? The answer lies in the multiple deployment of smaller groups of company volunteers. How does multiple staking work? The concept is simple, but powerful. Instead of one large team that does one-off volunteer work, divide your employees into smaller groups (for example 4 people). Each group works on a weekly or regular basis with a social organization that fits the mission and values of your company. Why is this so valuable? For the social organization: Through the regular presence of your corporate volunteers, a social organization can build on structural support. This helps them achieve their goals and increase their impact. You will become a permanent cooperation partner, which has a much greater value than a one-off action. For your business The benefits for your business go far beyond feeling good: You strengthen social impact strategy: Through structural involvement, you make your social mission tangible. Contributes to sustainability and marketing: Making an impact on a regular basis is a strong signal to customers, stakeholders and society. Gives you happy and motivated employees: Volunteering strengthens teamwork and makes employees feel proud of their contribution. Strengthens employer branding: Being structurally involved in society makes your organization more attractive to talents who value meaning in their work. Why start with multiple deployment now? At a time when companies are taking more and more responsibility for social challenges, multiple efforts offer an innovative approach to live up to that responsibility. It's scalable, flexible and creates long-term impact – for everyone. Do you really want your company to work together with the social work field? Do you want to structurally embed social impact in your strategy? With multiple deployments, you can already initiate sustainable change today. Start today: Making an impact together! Do you want to discover how your organization can contribute to a better society with corporate volunteering? At Business Involved, we help companies like yours to do business in a socially responsible way. ➡️ Click here to start the conversation and discover possibilities! Let's work together for a better future – with impact, collaboration and engagement as key words.

The holidays also turned out to be the time to do something extra for the people around us at the end of 2024. This year, Appical and Dynamo Amsterdam joined forces again to give vulnerable local residents a heartwarming Christmas. With a lot of enthusiasm, teamwork and a good dose of commitment, the Christmas campaign became a wonderful experience – for everyone involved. A mission full of warmth: making and delivering Christmas packages The day started in the morning with a fun but goal-oriented activity: putting together and wrapping Christmas packages. Each package was filled with care and attention, so that the local residents would receive a festive surprise. In the afternoon, the teams set out to deliver the packages personally. The assignment? Not only delivering a Christmas package, but also sharing a warm moment. With a smile, a chat at the door and a little personal attention, Appical managed to leave a little bit of Christmas magic with every local resident. As an employee of Dynamo beautifully put it: "We are very happy that Appical handled the action so well and was willing to work extra hard to continue for an hour longer. That shows real commitment." Warm reactions and gratitude at the door The local residents reacted warmly and gratefully to the Christmas hampers and the personal attention. For many of them, it meant a moment of connection and joy during a period that can sometimes be lonely. Appical employees shared the value of putting a smile on someone's face: "Most people who opened the door reacted warmly and gratefully. It was nice to see how big a difference you can make with a simple gesture." A lasting collaboration with Dynamo Amsterdam This Christmas promotion was not the first collaboration between Appical and Dynamo Amsterdam. Earlier this year, Appical provided several three-course lunches for the guests of the Mennohuis, where they also showed how strong their involvement in the community is. With this long-term collaboration, both parties show that social impact is not just part of the holidays, but can be realized all year round. Making an impact together With this Christmas campaign, Appical and Dynamo Amsterdam have shown how small gestures can make a big difference. Not only did they give local residents a Merry Christmas, but they also inspired and connected their own employees. Do you also want to do something for the local community with your company? There are countless ways to make an impact – not only during the holidays, but all year round.

Everyone in the neighborhood deserves a warm Christmas! Contribute and help us spreading Christmas packages for those who need it most.

In a city buzzing with innovation and growth, it's crucial to keep investing in sustainability. This applies not only to businesses but to the entire community. Klimaatroute, a leading energy consultancy, has made it their mission to have a significant impact on making Amsterdam more sustainable. With a vision to achieve 'zero energy' by 2040, they support residents, entrepreneurs, and sports clubs in their sustainability goals. But this mission doesn’t stop at commercial success. Klimaatroute recently demonstrated their commitment to volunteering by collaborating with Amstergaard, an organization focused on greening the city. This partnership is a perfect match. While Klimaatroute focuses on energy efficiency and sustainability, Amstergaard works on preserving and expanding green spaces within the city. On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, three enthusiastic Klimaatroute employees rolled up their sleeves to help maintain Amstergaard's garden. They refreshed the woodchip path, ensuring that this green oasis in the heart of Amsterdam remains accessible to everyone. The team’s response was overwhelmingly positive, and the enthusiasm was so high (+45 employees) that a second group of colleagues has already joined in, with more volunteer opportunities planned. Volunteering at Klimaatroute is driven by individual initiative and strongly supported by the company. Employees are now given time within the workweek to participate. And Klimaatroute's biggest volunteering dream? "To dedicate a day (or part of a day) with the entire company to a worthy cause, taking step by step towards a more sustainable future for Amsterdam." This collaboration between Klimaatroute and Amstergaard is a beautiful example of how businesses can not only pursue their commercial goals but also actively contribute to a better and greener city. Does your company want to make a difference and take action towards a more sustainable Amsterdam? Get in touch with us and explore the possibilities for a meaningful partnership!

The Social committee of the Amsterdam Roasting Plant of Starbucks, together with Business Involved, brought a collection of activities for their partners to participate in during the GMOG 2024 and make an impact in the communities.

A new collegue in the team of Business involved.

Driving impact starts with enabling colleagues who want to engage in the community, find meaningful volunteer opportunities. It is crucial for companies to engage in conversations with social organizations to really understand their needs, and collaboratively build sustainable relationships that benefit both sides.

The municipality of Amsterdam is granting the Vrijwilligers Centrale Amsterdam (VCA) an additional subsidy for the next 3 years for the further development of corporate volunteering in the city. It ensures that the municipality and VCA can make use of each other's knowledge and contacts and that the Business Involved project is further expanded. Among other things, VCA is going to expand the project with a business advisor. A vacancy for this job has now been published and candidates can apply (good command of the Dutch language is a must). As of March, VCA hopes to be at full strength with the new team and get to work. Councilor Sofyan Mbarki (Economic Affairs): "Our city has a lot of extraordinary and successful companies that want to contribute to the future of the city, but don't always know how to make a difference for their neighborhood or for a particular target group that could use support." With this grant, the Vrijwilligers Centrale Amsterdam can make an extra effort in the coming years to help companies make volunteers available to do more for Amsterdam. This is also part of corporate social responsibility. Incidental subsidy This is an occasional subsidy for the next three years. With the subsidy, the VCA can better tackle problems with volunteers from companies, for example in the sports sector to get young people more active or in the fight against loneliness. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Several years ago, Anita Muschner founded the NAHst foundation together with colleagues Sweedy and Hanneke. This foundation was founded by and for people with non-congenital brain injury (NAH). As project leader, Anita works closely with the business community to secure work assignments and recruit volunteers needed for the activities the foundation organizes. "These collaborations are a lot of fun," Anita says. "I often get back from volunteers that it gives them a better sense of what is going on in society." NAHst Foundation is there for people with noncongenital brain injury (NAH). Anita explains, "We try to offer people a safe environment. We do this, for example, by organizing NAH cafes. Here people can talk to each other over a snack and a drink and share their daily worries. We also try to obtain work assignments. These are assignments that match the capabilities of people with NAH. They love it: by doing these assignments they have the feeling that they matter and that they are part of society. With the income the foundation generates from the work assignments, it organizes fun activities. "Last year we rented a bus and went to De Orchideeën Hoeve," she says. Some of our guests are in wheelchairs and some are not. It's nice to be able to do something like this because many of our guests don't get out very often anymore." A beautiful collaboration For a while now, the NAHst Foundation has also had a partnership with the SOOZ Foundation. This is a welfare organization dedicated to helping vulnerable local residents in the Amsterdam Oud-Zuid region. "Because of this cooperation, the events we organize more often target both vulnerable neighborhood residents and people with NAH. That somehow works very well, both for our guests and our volunteers. Besides NAH cafes, we also organize weekly dinner tables where vulnerable local residents and people with NAH can go for a healthy meal at a low price." Business Involved Amsterdam Volunteers are indispensable to the NAHst foundation. From the board to help with activities: the entire foundation runs entirely on volunteers. "Often these are people with NAH who can still do quite a bit," says Anita. "In addition, there are volunteers from the business community, who offer themselves through Business Involved to help with activities." Business Involved is a platform that matches businesses with organizations in the area of volunteering. "Through VCA, I have registered NAHst Foundation and lately I have also been approached by large companies through Business Involved. Sometimes very nice collaborations come out of that. Think for example of TMF Group or Liberty Global who offer to help organize parties for people who don't have it so easy. The tasks vary enormously, from serving drinks to preparing food or offering a listening ear." Volunteers from the business community "Liberty Global helped with one of our activities for the first time last summer. I thought at the time that this was a one-time action. But they keep asking me if they can do something, for example also to help with activities we organized in the month of December. I hear back from the business community that they really enjoy volunteering. Three weeks ago TMF Group was with us. There were ten of them, and they were wide-eyed with 'wow, it's great to be able to participate in something like that'. Those collaborations are a lot of fun, so of course I hope for more great collaborations like that. People with good steady jobs sometimes don't really realize what's going on in the social realm. I think that doing volunteer work raises awareness and it makes them see that the activities are really needed for this vulnerable target group." The future When Anita looks to the future, she mainly hopes for one thing. "I hope we can continue to offer the dining tables and the NAH cafes, because for many it's really important to be able to sit and eat together in this way. And that the family caregivers also have their hands free for a while and can do something else. This will also be the biggest challenge next year. Because you have to have the financial resources for this and that is and remains difficult. Long-term relationships with companies help with this, so I hope for continued collaborations with the business community. I also hope that NAH will become more discussable. People with NAH are sometimes a forgotten group; I want to put them on the map. That is still my goal and I will continue with that."

Are you looking for a meaningful and enriching way to spend your time in Amsterdam this December? Consider volunteering! Amsterdam not only boasts breathtaking canals and historic architecture, but it also offers countless opportunities for giving back to the community during this festive month. First and foremost, Amsterdam is known for its strong sense of social cohesion and community spirit. By volunteering, you can actively contribute to maintaining and fostering this spirit. During December, there are various initiatives and events for those in need seeking volunteers. By lending a helping hand, you can directly impact the lives of individuals and families, making their holiday season a little brighter. Additionally, volunteering in Amsterdam allows you to experience the city in a unique and more personal way. Through your service, you can immerse yourself in the local culture and interact with residents on a deeper level. You may find yourself assisting at a Christmas event, where you can engage with visitors from around the world, share stories and traditions, and witness the joy these festivities bring. Furthermore, volunteering in Amsterdam provides an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and expand your network. You will collaborate with people who share your passion for making a positive change, creating lifelong friendships and networking connections. Volunteering in December can be a wonderful opportunity for personal growth and reflection. It allows you to step outside your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and develop new skills. The act of selflessly devoting your time and energy can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment, leaving a lasting impact not only on the community but also on your own life. So, why not make the most of your time in Amsterdam this December by giving back to the city that has so much to offer? Find you volunteer job on the Business Involved site right now!

The secret ingredient behind the success of volunteering at Lemonade is the way insuretech powered by AI and social impact is built. At Lemonade, Holt says volunteering is embedded in the core values of the organisation and its “Give Back” is valued and enjoyed by the employees. “It’s definitely one of the reasons I choose to work for Lemonade,” he says.

“There is an intense mutual interest between homeless people and the volunteers,” says Roel Piera, the director of the Koffiehuis. Read this to know what that is.

Adopting a cause as a team is a way your company can stay flexible while making an impact. Find out how Business Involved can help.

Looking to make a positive difference in the new year? Find out how the Business Involved platform makes it easy to volunteer and do good.

Business Involved connects companies with social causes. Read about our get-together on International Volunteer Day to celebrate one year of making an impact.

Interview with an expert. Bojana Duovski, Mover & Shaker at Stichting Studiezalen: "If doors are ajar, I kick them in".

The Business Involved mission is to put companies that want to make a positive contribution in touch with local groups who need support. Working with the City of Amsterdam and the Volunteer Centre Amsterdam, we support partnerships that make a difference to the well-being of the city. Recently, volunteers from Ernst & Young joined families supported by Moedernetwerk for a day out at the ARTIS Zoo. Despite the rainy weather, it was a great day for all involved. Moedernetwerk (“Mothers’ Network”) is a volunteer organisation based in Amsterdam West. Their primary goal is to ensure that children and young people with disabilities have the chance to develop and take part in society. To achieve this, they support the mothers (and other family members) of such children, providing information, facilitating peer support groups and meetings, and organising activities that help the development of both the disabled children and their siblings. Leila Badaou is the founder and driving force behind the network, has many years’ experience working with young people with special needs, and is passionate about the importance of participation and inclusion for children with disabilities, whether physical or mental. “We are the community” “We don't want these children to get pushed aside or into a corner,” she says. “Why should they go to a special place to play football? We just want to see all children playing football together. Children with autism or Down’s syndrome maybe get sent to a special school – they arrive in a bus; they leave in a bus, and they don’t connect with the community. I always say why, why? We are a part of the community. And that’s why I support the families.” “Building a better working world” EY , previously known as Ernst & Young, is a global consultancy organisation with 13 locations in the Netherlands, including one in Amsterdam. EY is dedicated to building a better working world, and the company has a strong commitment to sustainability, human rights, diversity, equality and inclusion. Nobilé Ligthart is an intern at EY Amsterdam and was tasked with organising volunteering activities. The Volunteer Centre Amsterdam (Vrijwilligers Centrale Amsterdam, VCA) put her in touch with Badaou and Moedernetwerk and, says Ligthart, “we just clicked.” Ligthart herself has experience volunteering, but other colleagues who joined the outing to Artis did not. And it was an eye-opener for them, she says: “They were sending me emails afterwards saying thank you for showing me this. It was so nice; we want to do it again.” Next time, bigger and better There were some issues on the day – heavy rain for one thing, and a lower-than-expected turnout. But the day was still a hit with children and volunteers alike. Ligthart and the new intern, who will be replacing her at EY, are keen to build on the relationship with Moedernetwork and to ensure that future joint activities are as beneficial as possible. “Next time, we would like to do something bigger,” says Ligthart. “I talked to Leila about everything that went well and what could be better, and how we’re going to make it happen – by having a meeting with all the mothers in advance, for example, so we can make it a better and bigger event.” Communication and respect Badaou agrees that it was a great day for the children who took part, with many of the mothers contacting her afterwards to say how much their families had enjoyed it. But it was the first time Moedernetwerk had taken part in a day like this with volunteers from outside the organisation and, she says, there are some lessons to be learned for the next time. “We’re a small network and it’s especially important that if we have an agreement that you’re going to bring 15 volunteers, then that’s what you do. Not having that on the day is a bit stressful.” The key – as in any relationship – is effective communication and mutual respect between the parties involved. “It’s important that volunteers take things seriously. Next time we do something like this, we’ll meet first and plan, so we have solutions if anything unexpected happens.” Fostering relationships Business Involved understands that need for commitment and clear communication and works to ensure that the expectations of both companies and local initiatives are met. Alongside connecting companies with volunteering opportunities, Business Involved provides information and resources on implementing them and fostering meaningful, long-lasting relationships that benefit both the individuals involved and society at large. Visit the Business Involved website to discover how companies can maximise their social involvement, how individuals can volunteer for a cause they believe in, and how social initiatives can showcase their cause and attract support.

We give you 3 reasons why you should join Business Involved and explain how you can join!

In this article, we explain how to set up your corporate page for success!

What kind of volunteer are you? And which vacancies suit you best? Take this simple and fun test and discover it now. After the test you can directly discover and react to vacancies.

Business Involved partners companies with social causes. Read about the volunteer programmes we set up in our first six months and how they could benefit you.

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Personio cooks for the sweeper team of The Koffiehuis, a place where everybody is welcome. Undocumented and homeless people drink coffee there and work to earn a little money. As if the employees of Personio did this every day, the (hot) lunch was ready in time and the people could sit at the table, they were served, handed out, had a chat and it was an attractive afternoon.

Bill volunteers at the Food Bank. Do you want to know how you can contribute? Find out in this blog post!

As you may have noticed, Corporate Social Responsibility is on the rise. Not only are companies looking for ways to give back and be socially responsible, but more often than not are employees and customers asking themselves: what are this company's values? Here's where corporate volunteering comes in. When employees volunteer through their company, they build more than just CSR. Here are four good reasons for your company to adopt team volunteering: Employees who often get caught up in busy lives do not have to choose between work and volunteering activities. Volunteering as a company creates a culture of social responsibility for the organization and between employees. Corporate volunteering promotes team bonding and strengthens employees' relationships. When companies collaborate with charities, their brand becomes associated with values such as social consciousness and awareness. Additionally, corporate volunteering is a way to keep employees motivated in fun environments where they can thrive as individuals rather than staff members. Join Business Involved and create your own company page .

Being an expat in the Netherlands is a reality for almost a quarter of the population. In Amsterdam, nearly half of the city is made up by expats or people with a migrant background. Because they consist of such a large demographic, expats’ needs should be understood so that not only their lives in the country will improve, but so will the communities they choose to join, live in and help. Expats in Numbers The Netherlands is home to nearly 4 million immigrants . Amsterdam alone contains 180 different nationalities and almost half of the entire city is made up of ethnic minorities , making the city one of the most diverse in the world. Because Amsterdam thrives on the sectors of tech, finance, fashion and advertising, the city of tulips and windmills brings in expats to fulfill jobs in these areas and makes it easier for them to work and live in the Netherlands ( Expat Focus ). Who they are Where do most expats come from? The majority of expats who entered Amsterdam last year – a record in the number of migrants entering the city – were students or workers from the UK, India and the U.S. The graph below shows last year’s immigrant influx in the Netherlands by continent: Amsterdam has also become a common destination for international students pursuing higher education (the number of foreign students has more than tripled in the last 10 years). Universities have adapted as a result, offering several degrees in English and bringing in professionals to teach such courses. “If Brexit happens, the Netherlands will probably have the EU’s largest English-language university system.” – Financial Times The problems expats face At the same time expats bring in the cultural diversity Amsterdam is known for and talent from all over the globe, they also suffer the consequences of an over-populated city that’s learning to adapt. These are some of the issues faced in Amsterdam – some of them not exclusive to expats: Housing shortage Difficulty learning Dutch Loneliness Only 37 percent of expats get their school fees paid and only 23 percent get help with accommodation costs Adapting to the Dutch way of life – including culture, humor and straightforwardness – is not always easy “It's cool to find our project description in French airline magazines, or Jordanian supermarket chains. That's all due to the work of our volunteers.” - Niklas Huppmann from Shades of Love , on the importance of international volunteers The Benefits of Volunteering as an Expat For many expats, giving back needs to meet certain requirements in order to become something they can do on a regular basis. For instance, volunteering activities must fit their schedule in a flexible way and be considerate of their language barriers. Being a hub for so many businesses and sectors, Amsterdam’s international character means volunteering opportunities for expats should be mindful of their limitations. Language, for instance, can be one of those barriers that are difficult to overcome as an expat volunteer. But don’t worry; if there’s one thing volunteering in Amsterdam has to offer is inclusion! Opportunities such as volunteering with animals, packing gifts for children in poverty and cooking for the homeless don’t necessarily require language skills. Another limitation for many people who move to Amsterdam to study and work is finding time in their tight schedules. Flexible volunteering is also something Amsterdam has to offer. One-offs include dates with refugees, planting in community gardens and hanging out with the elderly. “I’m a huge fan of Jarige Job Foundation. What’s important about it is that you volunteer on the back end of the subject. You don’t meet the kids or the families you help, so you have some kind of indirect impact in someone’s life.” - Anastasia Semenko, corporate volunteer from Atlassian Meeting new people As an expat in Amsterdam – or really anywhere – one of the first things that crosses people’s minds is building a meaningful network in the city they’ll call home. And that isn’t easy for everyone. Amsterdam is a city with loads to see and loads to do, so finding a niche can be challenging at times. For that reason, volunteering is the perfect way to connect people through their interests. Cause-based volunteering allows for members of a community who care about the same issues to explore their social interests together. Besides, the social sector is full of good people looking to build relationships. Whether volunteering will lead you to a job, a great one-off experience or a lifelong friendship, meeting new people is definitely on the list of benefits you’ll get from it. “The first time I went to an Open Meal with Refugees , I knew I wanted to volunteer with them in the long term. The way in which they celebrate diversity is really something else. But the people I’ve met is the best part of it all.” – Luiza Braga, Marketing Intern at Deedmob Reducing Loneliness Last year Amsterdam's municipality launched a campaign to help fight loneliness. Sometimes referred to as the illness of the 21st century, loneliness has become a reality for people of different ages and backgrounds, but specially young adults and the elderly. It can result from the pressure to fit in, social media, anxiety or new situations. The truth is, there isn't just one solution to the problem. But experts say building social circles and maintaining them seem to be the best way to prevent and reduce loneliness. Part of getting involved is getting to know those around you. For expats, the pressure to quickly adapt to the new environment can be a substantial factor leading to loneliness. In Amsterdam, especially, where English can be seen as a second language, it's easy for English speaking expats to stay in expat bubbles and never really make Dutch friends or learn in depth about Dutch culture and society. That's where volunteering comes in as a fundamental element of settling in. Besides getting involved, expats also get the chance to broaden their horizons through community bonding and giving time to help those in need. In return, they create meaningful relationships with those they meet, perhaps even helping reduce loneliness on both sides. Learning about the societal challenges of the Netherlands What bothers the Dutch? What worries them? What help do they need (and what help do they give)? The answer to these questions can be both found in and resolved trough volunteering. For many it may seem like the Netherlands has it all worked out, but in reality there are many unresolved issues that need attention. Poverty, education, refugees, environment, animals... That’s just some of them. And the Netherlands is tackling it all at once. The country’s internationalization has brought in benefits as well as challenges. Poverty and the housing market crisis, for instance, are partly due to the great influx of migrants into the Netherlands. “Polarisation is a huge societal challenge and something that, with our app, we continue to go against. But this is an exciting challenge!” – Julius Weise from Welcome , an app promoting encounters between refugees and locals in the Netherlands Learning Dutch Getting to a good conversational level of Dutch can be a real challenge for expats in Amsterdam. Since mostly everyone speaks English, it is convenient – and very much possible – for expats to never learn the language. Volunteering can be the perfect way to learn and practice Dutch for a couple of reasons: Volunteering environments are filled with understanding people who will most likely want to help you improve your language skills Many charities work with demographics that don’t speak very good English, giving you the advantage of having to speak Dutch Besides meeting new people, you’ll get a chance to chat with locals about different subjects you would normally not be exposed to in a classroom environment Where to Begin Getting to know Amsterdam (and your community) is a good place to start. These are the three steps you can take as an expat volunteering: 1. Choose your cause Start by focusing on what you care about. All the outcomes volunteering will have in your life as an expat will come from these experiences, so it's important that you make the most out of it! But most importantly, the connections you will make and the impact you will create around you will matter. So make sure you get the fulfillment of becoming part of a social movement. 2. Look by proximity A good rule of thumb when answering the question "where should I begin?" is to start by looking around you. What does your neighborhood lack? Your city? Your community? Start there. 3. Build a network around the volunteering opportunities/events you attend Kindness attracts kindness. The more you get involved in the volunteering events and activities you attend, the more you will create a bond with the people at these places. Take advantage of it! Build a network around it and who knows what bigger role these people will play in your life in the future. Ways to get jobs out of volunteering Find volunteering in your field See if you can donate your skills Use volunteering as an internship “I volunteer with Amsta because no healthcare providers would employ me without a language certificate, but as soon as I started I was given a job, thankfully. It was very easy, I walked in and had a brief chat. I started helping the next week.” – Lee Bodger (UK) READ: SHOULD YOU GET PAID FOR VOLUNTEERING? Best ways to get volunteering out of your job If volunteering is what it takes for you to get that resume boost and network, great. If you're already happily employed, then volunteering can be what your company needs to become more socially responsible - and, let's be honest, a lot more fun. Corporate volunteering has been said to improve company culture and increase productivity. It is also a way to promote team bonding. As a highly skilled expat, you were brought into a new country, city and work environment. Why not extend your impact to its full potential? The chance to work and live in a different country also opens the doors to new social challenges, and the best way to learn about them is to get out there and connect with the community. Suggest volunteering to your employee or team and get your company to build its brand and purpose today .

On Wednesday October 27, Alderman Victor Everhardt (Economic Affairs) opened the new online platform Business Involved. Business Involved links employees of Amsterdam-based companies to social initiatives in the city, where they can do voluntary work. The platform is a collaboration between the municipality of Amsterdam, Vrijwilligers Centrale Amsterdam and Deedmob. Alderman Victor Everhardt: "Many companies in Amsterdam and their employees would like to make an extra social contribution to the city. This new online platform ensures that employees of companies can easily find social initiatives in the city where they can volunteer." The new online platform for volunteering was developed by startup Deedmob, commissioned by the City of Amsterdam. The Vrijwilligers Centrale Amsterdam (Volunteers Central Amsterdam) is connected to it to find the right entries to social organisations in the city. The goal is for Business Involved to create 100 sustainable, long-term partnerships between Amsterdam-based companies and social organisations in the next three years. The platform starts with Amsterdam-based companies but will be extended to companies in the region.