Your City, Your Voice: Can Internationals Vote in The Hague City Council Elections?

Tetyana Benzeroual, Project Lead of Volunteer The Hague and Den Haag Doet at PEP Den Haag, was part of an expert panel for Episode #05: Solving the Housing Crisis & How to Survive Dutch Winters of the Expaterience talk show on November 22, 2025. Nuthan Manohar, the Expaterience host for the segment about how to survive Dutch winters, revealed that she joined the Expaterience team after attending a Volunteer The Hague volunteer fair and that she can really attest to the benefits of volunteering. Together with her four guests, she discusses the challenges faced by internationals who are dealing with their first few Dutch winters. Together they share clear and easy to implement recommendations on how to adjust to, and even embrace, Dutch winters with their rainy days with limited daylight. Tetyana talks about how volunteering during the darker months is a great way to feel better, by meeting new people and focusing on tasks and causes that motivate you. Tetyana explains that Volunteer The Hague serves as a bridge between local organizations and internationals in the greater The Hague area. This connection helps internationals find their way in the Netherlands and make it their new home. Volunteer The Hague’s data shows that engagement on their online platform hits a low in the summer and that it is at its highest in September. When volunteers have children and come back from their summer holiday break, they realize that the new academic year is about to start, and they wonder how to occupy their time if they are not employed. Most of international volunteers are internationals looking to fill a gap on their CVs while looking for a job. If they are not looking for a new job, they want to do something to give back to the community. They want to engage more with the local community and practice their language skills. People volunteer for many reasons, but for the majority of volunteers they just want to be useful. When daytime gets shorter, especially in October and November, people want to engage and not only stay at home and only interact with their family. Show host, Nuthan Manohar adds that research demonstrates that people who volunteer are happier, mentally more resilient and even more resilient to diseases, with a sweet spot of 3 hours of volunteering a week. She states that she was impressed by the high variety of showcased organizations and volunteer roles at VTH events. She comments that sometimes at work you don’t get to work on things that you really care about whereas when you volunteer you do. Tetyana illustrates how Volunteer The Hague provides a platform for organizations looking for volunteers, for example when Expaterience was launched and needed volunteers. VTH helped them think about the volunteer vacancies they could create. A number of volunteers applied online and at one of their in-person events they recruited volunteers to make the concept of Expaterience a dream come true. She names another example by saying that recently the international film festival took place in The Hague and all their 20 volunteers were found through the Volunteer The Hague platform. Tetyana encourages internationals to check out the VHT website at www.volunteerthehague as vacancies regularly get filled but get replaced by others. Once people apply, they should follow up and call the organizations, just like for a job search. An interview will take place, as even volunteer roles can be a competitive process. International volunteers are always surprised to be invited to meetings and organization events and that their opinions are listened to. Tetyana announces Volunteer The Hague’s Mix & Match Volunteer Job Fair on Saturday, 29 November, 2025 between 11.00 am and 3.30 pm at the Social Hub The Hague. She adds that another guest on the show, psychologist Vassia Sarantopoulou, will be one of the speakers during the event, her presentation will be about making a different kind of new year resolutions. You can register for the event on our website at to mix and mingle with organizations and for up to 4 great presentations at https://www.volunteerthehague.nl/o/Volunteer-The-Hague/opportunities/Mix--Match-Volunteer-Job-Fair/104617 The entire Expaterience talk show episode full of practical tips by housing, mental health, HR, entrepreneurship and volunteer work experts can be watched below.

You have applied to a volunteer vacancy and are now invited for an interview by the organization of your choice. How can you prepare for this conversation so that their expectations become clear and that you can assess whether the role is suitable for you? Whether your interview is online or at the non-profit premises, expect the same dress code as for a regular Dutch job interview. Unless you are applying for a board position, you are not expected to wear a suit. The Dutch use the following expression about volunteer work (vrij means free in Dutch) with the word free , it is "vrijwillig maar niet vrijblijvend." This means that it is voluntary unpaid work, but it does require commitment and a sense of responsibility. They cannot assist their participants without reliable and competent volunteers. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the organization’s mission, which should be published on their website. Visit their social media accounts. Non-profit websites can be outdated, so you are more likely to find out their latest campaigns and programmes on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. A recent picture on their account may inspire you to ask a relevant question during the interview and gauge the amount of ‘gezelligheid’ (conviviality) during their events. The volunteer manager will tell you all about their mission and the tasks you would perform but they will also expect you to ask some questions. If they state that this role involves 4 hours of your time per month, you could inquire whether this would be on a set day during the week, or at the weekend or in the evening. Finding out what a typical volunteer shift looks like for a volunteer in this role will help you imagine yourself in the role and decide whether it is for you. You might also be curious about who is going to be supervising you and supporting you. It is also normal to ask whether they cover travel costs for certain activities. If you receive any social benefits, be sure to ask consent from your UWV advisor before accepting a volunteer role. handshake during interview Photo credit Mina Rad on Unsplash Photo credit: Mina Rad on Unsplash If you already feel like you are very interested, you could ask whether there are any special days in the year that you should already mark in your agenda. For example, cities often organize a yearly volunteer thank you event, which is full of entertainment and nice attentions for people who donate their time and expertise. If you want to have a general impact on the organization you can also ask what their most urgent needs are and what challenges they face right now, this way you can connect them if you know of others who may have some resources, expertise or funds that could help the organization thrive beyond your particular role. In a nutshell, treat your volunteer role interview seriously, find out about the tasks and necessary availability, the organization’s culture and if you are convinced this is a good match demonstrate that you are ready to be an asset and an ally to your interviewer. A good volunteer opportunity is a win-win situation for you as a volunteer and the organization who wants to recruit you, not measured in money but in personal and professional growth in your new country. Visit the Volunteer The Hague's volunteer vacancy search page and apply for a volunteer role today!

If you're navigating life as an international in The Hague, you know that settling into a new city can present challenges. That's why The Hague International Centre hosts a valuable "Feel at Home" event on March 24th at the centrally located Boterwaag. This is a fantastic opportunity to gather essential information and connect with fellow internationals in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Imagine an evening where you can engage with experts on various crucial topics, from housing and childcare to taxes and healthcare, and even discover local social clubs. Whatever questions you have about daily life in The Hague, you'll find knowledgeable individuals ready to assist. This event isn't just for newcomers; long-time residents are encouraged to join and expand their network. You'll have the chance to explore informative stands, enjoy live music, and participate in an interactive social game to facilitate connections. The Hague International Centre has partnered with diverse organizations to ensure a comprehensive experience. Participants include representatives from real estate agencies and mortgage advisors, recruitment firms, legal and tax specialists, healthcare providers, international schools, language learning groups, and resident associations. Undutchables Recruitment Agency, Expat Mortgages, ING, International Health Centre The Hague, and many more, including The Hague International Centre. This event offers an enjoyable way to gather essential resources and build connections within the international community. Participation is free, and refreshments will be provided. Mark your calendars for Monday, March 24th, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at De Boterwaag, Grote Markt 8A, 2511BG The Hague. If you're looking to feel more at home in The Hague, this is an event you won't want to miss. Sign up using the form The Hague International Centre provided, and we look forward to seeing you there. When? Monday, 24 March 2025 17:00 to 20:00 hrs Where? De Boterwaag Grote Markt 8A, 2511BG The Hague