Homewards helps internationals and locals find each other

From personal experience to initiative

Twelve years ago, Renske Mehra moved to Eindhoven. New to the city, new to Brabant. Although she quickly felt at home in her work, she found that building a social network was more difficult than expected.

‘I knew my colleagues, but outside of work, I didn't really know where to start,’ she says. That experience was the seed for Homewards: a programme that connects locals and newcomers in an accessible way.

From welcome to home

Homewards offers a series of three meetings in which people explore the city together, share stories and make new contacts. In between, there are informal meetups and participants receive a weekly newsletter with practical and cultural tips about Eindhoven. It's not just internationals who participate, but also Eindhoven residents who are open to meeting new people.

‘It's not a networking event or an information evening,’ explains Renske. ‘At each meeting, you get to know your city better in a playful way. It's all about real conversations, about doing something together that naturally leads to contact. You then notice that everyone is actually looking for the same thing: connection, recognition, something together.’

Around 250 people took part in the first two editions. The group is mixed: people who have just arrived in the region, others who have lived here for years, single people, families, partners of employees and students.

‘It's precisely this mix that works. Newcomers learn from locals what life here is really like, and vice versa, people discover how rich Eindhoven's international community actually is.’ -Renske

More than a social initiative

What makes Homewards special is that it is more than just a social project. The programme addresses a serious issue within the Brainport region: retaining international talent.

‘We know that many people don't leave because they don't like their job, but because they don't feel socially at home,’ says Renske. ‘Homewards helps to break through that: it creates connections outside of work, and that's often where the benefits lie.’

‘I already knew some people here, so that helped a lot. But just recreating my “network” in Eindhoven helped me settle in more easily.’. Ana (participant)

The programme is also relevant for employers. ‘An employer often clearly sees and takes responsibility for making employees feel at home within the company, but to a much lesser extent outside it,’ explains Nicole Zwetsloot. ‘Yet these are fundamental elements in the well-being of a newcomer.’

According to Nicole, the programme touches on something that goes far beyond onboarding. ‘After the paperwork and the practical side of moving, the real challenge begins: how am I going to feel at home here? Although that means something different for everyone, we notice one major common denominator: people are looking for real connections. Homewards offers a safe environment to do just that: meet new people, get to know the city and build valuable relationships.’

Homewards responds to three basic needs that virtually every newcomer shares:

• Building a social network – getting to know people outside of work and family.
• Better understanding language and culture – discovering the unwritten rules, customs and rituals of everyday life.
• Finding your place in the city – knowing where to go and feeling like you belong.

‘The extent to which a family feels at home determines whether someone stays. And that's something employers don't have direct control over, but they can influence by supporting programmes like Homewards.’

Nicole emphasises that investing in well-being outside of work is also a form of good employment practice. ‘I hope that companies will increasingly see the value of investing in their employees, even beyond the walls of the office. A newcomer has left a lot behind to be here. Only by focusing on equality, not just equity, can you build an inclusive personnel policy.’

Collaboration as the key

The collaboration between Eindhoven365, Holland Expat Centre South and Brainport Development appears to be the key. While Eindhoven365 mainly contributes the community and urban character, Brainport provides connections with employers and institutions, and HECS contributes expertise in expat support and the international community.

‘That combination is really powerful,’ says Renske. ‘Eindhoven365 has a lot of experience in connecting people and strengthening urban pride, while Brainport builds bridges to the business community. HECS knows exactly what is involved in an international move. Together, we can create something that is both socially and economically valuable.’

‘I am always struck by how little guidance or substantive input is needed. Simply creating the breeding ground for encounters is enough to make the magic happen.’

According to Noortje Verwiel, this collaboration is also crucial to taking Homewards further. ‘We need the social sector and employers to help this initiative grow and gain broader support. Ultimately, we want to reach as many people as possible, not just those in our own bubble. To that end, we are taking a critical look at how we structure the programme.’

Towards a sustainable programme

After the first series of meetings, there is great interest in continuing. ‘There is so much enthusiasm,’ says Renske. ‘People continue to seek each other out via WhatsApp groups, organise dinners together or join local clubs. That is exactly the intention: that Homewards sets something in motion that continues.’

For the future, the initiators hope that Homewards will become a permanent part of the international welcome in the region. ‘We don't want this to end as a pilot,’ says Noortje. ‘Ideally, there will be a fixed cycle with several programmes per year, in which companies and municipalities also play an active role – for example, by actively encouraging employees to participate, or even financing participation for their employees.’

Homewards helps newcomers and locals find each other and shows that feeling at home doesn't happen automatically, but starts with meeting people. The three-month programme includes three fun group events and a lively community with lots of opportunities to meet people. The new Homewards programme starts in March 2026. For more information, please visit here.