The personal Civic Integration and Participation Plan (PIP)

The PIP comprises all the information about how someone must satisfy their civic integration requirement, including agreements about:

·         The pathway

·         The timeframe for achieving the final goal

·         Important peripheral issues, such as childcare

·         The guidance and support necessary to successfully complete the pathway

·         The intensity of the Dutch Labour Market and Participation Module (MAP) and the Participation Declaration Process (PVT)

·         Peace of mind about achieving the goal in the right timeframe

·         The manner in which the municipality monitors progress, including via progress interviews.

The drawing up of a personal Civic Integration and Participation Plan (PIP) is mandatory. As far as possible this takes places in consultation with the person who has to integrate. The PIP must be drawn up within ten weeks of registering with the municipality.

The PIP is not without obligations; both the person who has to integrate and the municipality have to commit to the plan they have drawn up together. Someone who has to integrate, but who fails to comply with his/her civic integration requirement within the set timeframe, may be fined.

The municipality can modify the agreements in the PIP if this proves necessary for a person who has to integrate to complete the civic integration requirement within the required timeframe. If the municipality wishes to modify the pathway, it must do this within the first year and a half of the start of the civic integration period. A new PIP will then be drawn up. Someone who has to integrate can object and appeal against the decision of the municipality.

Source: Divosa, 2020. Overview of the changes in the new Civic Integration Act.