Cross Over

Migration and development cooperation

Migrants to the Netherlands are the best experts to go to their country or region of origin and to work on reconstruction, capacity building and to combat poverty. They speak the language and know local relations and methods. With Cross Over, PSO wishes to utilise and promote migrants' potential in development cooperation.

To this end, PSO has set up a stimulation fund for the secondment of migrants to developing countries. This pays the staff costs for a secondment. Furthermore, Cross Over provides advice and support to development organisations who wish to diversify their staff complement.

Added value

In recent years, the role of migrants as development actors has increasingly been recognised. Migrants often maintain contact over long distances and remain involved in both societies. They fulfil a valuable bridging function between various cultures.

Migrants can use the knowledge and experience they have acquired in the Netherlands for capacity development in their country or region of origin. All the more, because they are able to translate this knowledge into their own context.
In the Netherlands, migrants can, among other things, use their knowledge of various cultures for communication with partner organisations. Moreover, staff diversity increases the variety of experiences and ideas within the organisation, and reflects the transnational character of development cooperation.

For who?

Cross Over wishes to bring development organisations and migrants living in the Netherlands closer together to thereby contribute to capacity development in developing countries. The programme provides opportunities for both PSO members and non-members, including migrant organisations.

Highly educated, first and second generation migrants, who live in the Netherlands and have a relevant professional background are eligible as candidates for secondment through Cross Over. They can apply directly for the job openings the organisations provide without PSO intercession.

for more information about the Cross Over program, please contact Joseph Seh at the PSO office.