Welkom in Utrecht is there for refugees living in Utrecht, including those living in temporary emergency shelters. We do our best to make their time in Utrecht a little more pleasant and to introduce them to our city and its inhabitants.

For example, this year we started working at the emergency shelter on Europalaan where 130 women and children have been given shelter in an old office building. They have the opportunity to participate in sports activities through us, for example, but so far our cultural outings are the most popular!

The other day we had a great tour of DOMunder and Paleis Lofen, where we learned about the rich history of Utrecht, since Roman times. It was sometimes quite a challenge for the tour guides to convey their story well to people who speak different languages and do not yet speak Dutch. But interpreters spontaneously presented themselves in the group and that is how it all worked out.

In this way, we try to welcome refugees, even those living in emergency shelters, and give them the opportunity to get to know our city, make contacts and connect with their new place of residence.