At DUO for a JOB, every new city we explore starts with a simple question: can our mentoring programme truly make a difference here?
After several months of careful exploration, conversations, and data analysis, Utrecht has emerged as a clear next step.
Why Utrecht?
Utrecht is a vibrant and growing city, with a diverse population and a strong social structures. But like many urban centres in Europe, it also faces significant challenges when it comes to inequalities, to employment for young people with a migration background.
We spoke with the key players in the employment and social inclusion sectors to ensure that DUO for a JOB would be complementary. The message was clear: there is room — and a need — for a mentoring program to connect people from different generations and cultural backgrounds.
What we do — and why it matters
DUO for a JOB connects young people with a migration background (18–33 years old) with volunteer mentors aged 50+ who guide them in their job search.
And the results speak for themselves:
➡️ 70% of mentees move into employment, training or internships
➡️ Mentors report a renewed sense of purpose and connection
➡️ Our programme strengthens social cohesion at a local level
We’re already active in Rotterdam — and growing
DUO for a JOB has been operating in the Netherlands since 2022, with a branch in Rotterdam: more than 300 duos have been supported and 120 mentors are active in the program. We are also well-established in Belgium and France, with over 9.500 duos supported since our founding in 2013.
Each local branch operates autonomously, with its own team, local partners, and budget — while benefiting from the support, tools and experience of an international network.
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