The Netherlands’ pilot on circular migration will give about 160 migrants, all professionals with vocational training, an opportunity to gain working experience for a period of two years in Dutch companies. They are employed in regular vacancies in sectors where there are shortages in the Dutch labor market. The training will be based on a personal development plan, focusing on return. Upon return in their home countries the migrants will be assisted in finding a (better) job, starting up their own business and investing their remittances.

For three years, the migrants, their families and their employers in the Netherlands will be surveyed. The socio-economic impact of migration in the countries of origin will be analyzed. Indicators will be developed to measure these impacts, data will be collected e.g. on return, a control group with identical qualifications will be selected to correctly analyze the effects of the migration experience on the migrants, their families and their employers. The pilot will investigate whether or not circular migration can lead to a ‘triple win’ (win for home country, country of destination, migrant). The pilot will contribute to answer the question whether or not circular migration can be a new tool in development cooperation. The pilot will show whether or not cooperation with third countries on the issue of migration in general is strengthened.