In 2008 the ‘Brainport international community’ project was started in the region South-East Brabant, which is intended to attract more knowledge workers to the region and to keep them here. “Given the impending ageing process, expectations are that we shall soon have a shortage of highly trained technicians. To prevent this we need to invest in knowledge workers now”, says Astrid van Deelen, project manager with Brainport International Community.

The project has three stages: coming to, living in and settling in. It is particularly the second and third stages that are interesting when you are already in the Netherlands. In the second stage the project wants to ensure that expats feel at home in the Netherlands and get to know their way around. This is why the website www.expatguideholland.com has gathered a lot of information about items such as accommodation, taxation and financial matters. For career opportunities and education the site: www.brainporttalentregion.com is being developed. Van Deelen: “This site will present a survey of job profiles in the region and education possibilities. Intentions are to have the site online very soon.” The Expat Center Brabant (ECB) also helps expats who want to settle in the Netherlands. As of 2011 the ECB will refer expats to private service providers as well. To this end they are starting the ‘partnership program.’ “Expats can then turn to the ECB for reliable referrals to financial advisers, schools and housing corporations.”

Once you live in the Netherlands, there are also different expat clubs where you can go to take part in activities in your leisure time, such as international women’s club and eindhoven expats meetup. Many clubs are the result of a personal initiative and often focus on a select group of people. “As yet we don’t really have an expat club that everybody can come to, so it would be a good thing if such a club were set up”, says Van Deelen. (HB)