About the city

Tilburg

Local innovations that influence national law

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Tilburg’s pragmatic and innovative local solutions became part of a new national Integration Bill after the city responded quickly to shortcomings in previous national legislation.

  • 2

    Regional cooperation with neighbouring municipalities pools existing resources for a greater overall outcome for refugees living in the region.

  • 3

    All inclusion policies are designed to create a secure and stable environment for migrants in the city and depend on a mutual commitment from both the administration and the new arrivals.

What is unique about Tilburg?

Regional solidarity and quick policy innovations: What sets Tilburg apart from other progressive Dutch municipalities is its focus on regional solidarity and partnership – allowing it to pool resources and lobby at the national level more effectively. A central element of its migration policies is the requirement of an equal and mutual commitment and sense of obligation from both the administration and the new arrivals. Its programmes aim to create a stable environment and to encourage active cooperation with refugees.

What is the focus of the local migration policies?

Pragmatism and persistence pay off: Tilburg’s story is one of pragmatism and persistence, rather than explicit municipal disobedience. The city’s approach to migration governance is characterised by its consistent use of quiet diplomacy, coordination between Dutch city networks, and close collaboration with local and regional partners to amplify its influence at the national level and to lobby for changes in Dutch national migration policy.

Post-industrial development in Tilburg’s city centre
Post-industrial development in Tilburg’s city centre ©Municipality of Tilburg

What are the greatest achievements so far?

Above-average labour market participation of refugees: Tilburg improved local inclusion measures with an experimental pilot programme ‘Language, Orientation and Participation’ (TOP). As a result, both refugee labour market participation and educational enrolment in Tilburg is higher than the national average. The national Ministry has since adopted several of these measures and incorporated them into the New Dutch Integration Bill (which was implemented in 2022).

Political activities and advocacy beyond the city level

Tilburg’s public officials are involved in several international networks dealing with refuge and migration. Together with civil society groups, they have recently stepped up their national lobbying as well, banding together with Amsterdam on housing availability, as well as with a coalition of several Dutch cities declaring their willingness to provide refuge to unaccompanied minors.

Member of the following networks

city of Tilburg
© Municipality of Tilburg

Download the full city report

The city report contains all the information about the city’s migration policies, its approaches and political context. Report from 2021, updated in 2023.

Download Report