Since 2022, the Ondernemerschap Project has been empowering newcomers and people with a refugee background who aspire to achieve greater financial independence by starting their own business. This unique program provides practical tools, guidance, and motivation to help participants turn their ideas into real opportunities.
Now, the project is back with a new coordinator, Agatha Kouiper, and a renewed commitment to fostering entrepreneurship as a path to integration and self-reliance in the Netherlands.
A Three-Phase Journey Toward Entrepreneurship
The Ondernemerschap Project follows a clear and supportive structure, designed to help participants grow step by step. It is currently in its first phase, a “first conversation” aimed at aligning each participant’s expectations with what the Ondernemerschapstraject offers. So far, 18 participants have already completed this introductory conversation, most of them, setting the foundation for their entrepreneurial journey.
This initial step helps clarify goals and ensures that each participant receives the right guidance from the very beginning. Later, the Ondernemerschapstraject will guide participants through understanding how the Dutch business system works, developing entrepreneurial skills to start their own business or work as freelancers, and refining their business ideas with the help of experienced mentors. Through personal guidance and practical learning, participants gain not only technical knowledge but also the confidence and mindset to take their first steps in the Dutch business landscape.
Meet the New Coordinator: Agatha Kuiper
Born in Brazil, Agatha Kuiper has called the Netherlands home since 2012. As an immigrant herself, she understands firsthand the challenges of adapting to a new culture, learning a new language, and finding a place in the job market. These experiences shaped her deep empathy for the journeys of refugees and migrants and inspire her mission to guide others on their paths toward independence and belonging.
With a background in Economics and Strategic Planning, Agatha has long been dedicated to social projects in Brazil, especially those supporting vulnerable communities. Over the past twenty years, she has worked as a lecturer and consultant in both the Netherlands and Brazil, combining technical expertise with human insight.
At Road of Hope, Agatha leads the Entrepreneurship Project, supporting refugees and newcomers in developing their own sustainable business initiatives. “I believe entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for transformation: it fosters autonomy, creates opportunities, and builds a sense of belonging in a new community,” she says.
Join the Ondernemerschap Project
With nearly 2.5 million entrepreneurs now active in the Netherlands, entrepreneurship remains one of the country’s strongest engines for innovation and inclusion. To make sure newcomers and people with a refugee background can also be part of this growing movement, we invite organizations, community leaders, and individuals to support the Ondernemerschap Project by sharing this article and helping spread the word. Together, we can create opportunities, foster independence, and strengthen a more inclusive entrepreneurial future for all.
To know more, contact us!
WhatsApp: +31 6 87155849
Email: ondernemerschap@roadofhope.org