Refugee Wellbeing and Integration Initiative (RWII)

The Refugee Wellbeing and Integration Initiative (RWII) is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to redefining the experiences of refugees within public service structures in the Netherlands. Our foundation exists at the intersection of rigorous research, community engagement, and public service reform, striving to elevate the voices and experiences of refugees as they navigate integration processes.

Our Purpose

We are driven by the belief that refugees deserve not only the means to survive but to thrive in their new communities. Our mission is threefold:

• To monitor and document the well-being of refugees through evidence-based research and continuous data analysis.
• To support integration efforts by building strategic partnerships with institutions that shape public services.
• To advocate for responsive, inclusive public services by providing actionable insights to institutions and policy-makers in the Netherlands.

Our Work

RWII’s work emerges from a close examination of refugee life, adapting research methods to capture both the macro and micro levels of the refugee experience. Through collaborations with academic, public, and private partners, we generate insights that not only inform public policy but also empower refugees within their local communities. RWII is currently engaged in multiple research projects, including a commissioned initiative by Gemeente Utrecht that evaluates and redefines pathways to integration for refugees.

Our Structure

Our team is composed of experts in migration research, climate physics, public policy, and social sciences. We operate with an executive board and a supervisory board, each bringing specialized knowledge and oversight to our mission.

Executive Board

• Kinan Alajak
  Executive Director, Researcher in Education at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, and PhD Candidate in Political Sciences at Utrecht University.
• Jarmila Oslejova
  Board Member, Data Analyst at Agence InterMutualiste; MSc in Migration, Ethnic Relations and Multiculturism Research, Utrecht University.
• Daniele Castellana
  Board Member, Data Scientist and Technical Project Coordinator of Anticipatory Action at Netherlands Red Cross; PhD in Climate Physics, Utrecht University.

Supervisory Board

• Karin Geuijen (Chair)
  Assistant Professor of Public Governance and Management, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences.
• Sergio Cubillo Espana
  Associate Professor of Information and Computing Sciences, Utrecht University.
• Phillip Wozny
  Data Scientist at Deloitte Netherlands, and PhD Candidate in Law, Tax and Technology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Tilburg University.

Advisory Faculty

Our research and approach are further enriched by advisors from esteemed academic institutions:

• Koen Leurs
  Associate Professor of Gender, Media and Migration Studies, Utrecht University.
• Tijs van den Broek
  Associate Professor of Social Evaluation, Social Movements and Scoail Corporate Responsibility, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Transparency and Accountability

We uphold full transparency as part of our commitment to public trust. As a recognized ANBI (Public Benefit Organization), RWII’s financial reports are publicly accessible, alongside our governing policies and organizational structure.

RSIN / Tax Number: 862038819

Financial Statements: Detailed annual financial statements for 2020, 2021, and 2022 are available upon request.

Governance Policy

Our executive board members are entitled to reimbursements for costs incurred in official functions, ensuring they are supported in their essential roles. Supervisory board members, however, are unsalaried, receiving cost compensations only as necessary.

Contact

For inquiries and collaborations, please reach out to us via email at info[at]rwii.nl.

Our Approach

RWII’s policy plan, built around our Theory of Change, articulates our roadmap for change: identifying challenges, mapping potential interventions, and implementing strategies to improve refugee integration in society. Our work is continuously informed by our commitment to impact-driven research and the lived realities of refugees.