A new initiative by Coders Beyond Borders, currently in development
Refugee and asylum seeker women in Amsterdam face compounding barriers that existing support systems are not built to resolve. Limited professional networks, exclusion from civic life, and a labour market that consistently places people below their actual qualifications create a cycle that is difficult to break alone.
Project WISE is a peer-led empowerment programme for refugee and asylum seeker women in Amsterdam. It is designed around a simple but important principle: real change happens when people are active participants in solutions, not passive recipients of services.
The programme supports women across four areas:
engaging with local institutions, municipalities, and community organisations
building networks and reducing isolation
language support, digital literacy, and career orientation
job readiness, internships, and referrals
A peer leadership network of high-skilled refugee women will be recruited, trained, and employed part-time to guide and mentor other participants. Over 12 months, the programme aims to reach at least 250 women in Amsterdam.
Project WISE is currently in its validation phase. We are testing our approach with a small group of participants, refining the model in collaboration with community members and partners, and building the institutional foundations needed to scale responsibly.
We are actively seeking funding partners and foundations that share our belief that meaningful integration starts with empowerment.
We are looking to collaborate with funders, academic institutions, community organisations, and public bodies interested in early-stage social innovation.
Contact us at info@codersbeyondborders.org or visit our contact page.
Fill out the contact form below, and one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible.
