A human centered design for improving integration/inclusion of

newcomers in Belgium@DineWithUsBe Elizabeth Verhetsel - Twisted Studio

Desk Research

INSIGHT 1:

Belgians don’t always see the value that newcomers bring with them.

foto: De Standaard

Interviews

INSIGHT 2:

Newcomers are missing out on opportunities due to lacking diversity in their social network.

QUOTE:

“Newcomers build a social network quickly, but they are all people with the same questions and needs.” Griet, OKAN teacher and guardian of unaccompanied minors.

Interviews

QUOTE “If only the wall between newcomers and locals was not so high.’ Bram, expert integratie en inburgering

foto: Agentschap Inburgering en Integratie

OUR DESIGN CHALLENGE:

How might we create involvement of locals in the networks of newcomers?

Ideation

Via a website we match a newcomer with a local for a dinner.

Selected Idea

INSPIRING SIMILAR INITIATIVES

We searched, found and learned from the experience of initiatives in Belgium and

abroad.

Research

Test

“Find a good balance between the roles of locals and newcomers. It has to be fun.” Laetitia, Belgian, 35

“I can’t cook, but I’d like to learn. I want to meet new people this way.” Walid, Syrian, 27

foto: stockphotosforfree

Iteration

Via a website we match a local and a newcomer. They organise a dinner together.

They each invite relatives or friends.

Prototype

DECEMBER 2015 initial contact per mail replaced by telephone call

FEBRUARY 2016 user testing night-> rewritten front end & registration form

Current interface

SEPTEMBER 2015-FEBRUARY 2016

100+ registrations - 30+ duo’s Funding by KBS-FRB

Local media coverage Network in Gent & Brussels & Antwerp

Hier andere foto gebruiken dan op slide 1. Mss uit voorbeelden van etentjes uit Noorwegen, Duitsland, …?

Results

How can Dine With us continue to exist as a social profit?

Business Model

Professionalise Network

Test business models Improve matching tools

Grow

Way forward

Thank you!

dinewithus.strikingly.com