A large group of Dutch people live around the poverty line and/or have problematic debts. The research group Poverty Interventions aims to contribute to the reduction and prevention of poverty and debt among citizens. Based on scientific insights, we support social organizations and governments in designing and implementing effective solutions to poverty and debt problems.
Poverty has a huge impact on a person's life. It causes stress, shame, sometimes illness. More financial space gives people the chance to get life back on track. In the ‘Family and money’ project, we investigate the effect of an allowance without obligations or quid pro quo for families living in poverty. We also look at what systemic changes are needed.
The Amsterdam Family School (AFS) is an innovative initiative of the City of Amsterdam. The aim of this approach is to bring the living worlds of children inside and outside school closer together. School, home and neighbourhood join forces against poverty and inequality of opportunity. In the coming years we as a research group will develop a poverty approach together with these schools.
Helping citizens with (impending) financial problems in the Netherlands has developed over the past 35 years into a comprehensive set of organisations, initiatives, professionals and tools. Where were we 35 years ago, where are we now and what challenge does the future bring? As a research group, we took a close look at history for today's financial aid professional.
Anna Custers was appointed Professor of Poverty Interventions in April 2022. She is an economist who has in recent years worked for the World Bank in Washington DC and in Afghanistan. Anna's work focuses on better understanding poverty and debt problems in their various manifestations.
