The Utrecht Refugee Launch Pad: Evaluation Interim Report

This interim evaluation report presents preliminary findings about the Utrecht Refugee Launchpad (U-RLP) an innovative approach to asylum-seeker and refugee reception. The U-RLP, known locally as ‘Plan Einstein’, houses 38 local youths and is the location of an asylum seeker centre for up to 400 asylum seekers at a time. It aims to create a more inclusive approach to the reception of asylum seekers, while generating opportunities for both them and neighbourhood residents. The U-RLP offers asylum seekers and locals classes in English and entrepreneurship, equipping asylum seekers with ‘futureproof’ skills that would be of benefit to them, whether in the Netherlands or elsewhere. This report presents early evidence generated between May 2017 and May 2018 about this programme, using theory-based evaluation and a mixed methods research programme among multiple constituents1. It shares some of the preliminary research findings and analysis undertaken to this point during the first phase of the initiative, recognising that the project was still developing at the time of the research, and that results will be available to report on only once the second phase has completed. However, the report shares learning so far to optimise the second stage of the programme, informing the project partnership as they continue to adjust the innovation in the latter phase of the project and help refine the model for scaling up elsewhere. In a second phase (May 2018-May 2019) the evaluation will more fully assess the contribution of the U-RLP to the main objectives of the programme: good relations in the neighbourhood and enhanced skills and wellbeing of asylum seekers.