The role of immigrant organisations in the transforming welfare state: Revealing blind spots in the Netherlands

This paper juxtaposes the framework of research on the role of voluntary work in the welfare state with discussion about the societal role of immigrant organisations, focusing on the Netherlands case. We identify limitations in local research and policy evaluations of immigrant organisation contributions, and argue that Dutch social policy defines organisations by one specific view, called ‘social unity’. This view, rooted in Dutch policy history, is one-dimensionally focused on the risks of social fragmentation and inequality and the need to link immigrants with Dutch institutions. A second view, called ‘local empowerment’, may better fit recent policy developments and the ideals of immigrant organisations themselves, as exemplified by reference to an empirical study of parenting support in Amsterdam. As many countries’ social policy increasingly relies on volunteer organisations, future policy and research should combine these views to better plan and evaluate immigrant organisations’ role. The Role of Immigrant Organisations| 49