The Lotus Flower Programme

Your skills and experience matter. The Lotus Flower Programme is Stichting She Matters' approach to supporting refugee and migrant women in the Netherlands through career readiness, mentoring and professional connections. Interested in taking part or supporting a programme? We'd be happy to talk about current opportunities.

Ask about availability

“I feel lucky that my role has enabled me to work with such a welcoming, dedicated, inspiring group of people who are fighting the good fight.”

Lula

Administrative Professional

“This programme helped me getting back that self esteem that I lost along the way.”

Arya

Change Manager

“This programme was life changing for me. Now I have a full-time job and I am a better person.”

Marwa

Office Manager / Executive Assistant

Skills, confidence and connections

The Lotus Flower Programme brings together practical career workshops and mentoring, shaped with our partners around participants' experience and goals. Topics can include recognising your strengths, preparing a CV and motivation letter, practising interviews and building a professional network. Mentoring offers a space to ask questions, share experiences and explore your next steps. Where agreed with a partner, job shadowing can offer a closer look at a workplace. Each programme's content, duration and format are agreed with its partners. The Foundation focuses on career development and support. Any recruitment services through She Matters BV are separate, and participation does not guarantee a job.

Interested in taking part?

The programme was developed for refugee and migrant women in the Netherlands with professional experience who want to take their next career step. For current availability, please get in touch and tell us a little about your interests. We'd be happy to answer your questions. When a programme is confirmed, we'll share its dates, format and participation requirements so you can decide whether it suits you.

Work with us on a programme

Your organisation could contribute funding, mentoring, workshop expertise or opportunities to learn about a workplace. Together, we can explore a programme that recognises women's existing skills and supports their career goals. We agree the purpose, funding, timing and delivery arrangements with each partner before a programme begins. If you'd like to explore a collaboration with Stichting She Matters, we'd love to hear your ideas.

From earlier programmes

Lotus Flower Programme alumni

Hala is an administrative professional from Syria with 7+ years of international experience in providing administrative and technical support to the management team, working and volunteering in education and professional services sectors in Turkey, Syria, and the Netherlands.

Hala

Administrative Professional

Lula is a diversely skilled professional that demonstrably puts the consumer at the centre, and brings the ability to work with sensitive data in a high-stake environment with proven high-learning agility, resilience and the ability to evolve immediately. She was previously the Office Manager and Personal Assistant to the Major of the Eritrean Ministry of Finance.

Lula

Administrative Professional

Yasmin is a Civil Engineer from Syria. Her extensive experience spans from academic work - lecturing at universities - to working in the field for contracting companies. Her international experience in various fields has given her an adaptable and flexible mindset. Her goal is to secure employment that allows her to invest her abilities and skills at a future-forward company.

Yasmin

Civil Engineer

Originally from Syria, Dima's experience at the time of her programme included legal advisory work with the Syrian Professional Network, a Master's degree in Public International Law at Utrecht University and an internship at Women Win.

Dima

Legal Advisor

Dareen has a passion for tech and experience in front-end development. Originally from Syria, she decided to explore a new career direction after arriving in the Netherlands. Her alumni profile recorded a project management support role at Arcadis.

Dareen

Junior Front-end Developer

Lula is a highly experienced content management and brand development executive with strong leadership skills, developed over 5+ years within CMS & digital media industries - manage content across multiple community channels, marketing & social networks to bring exciting products to the global market. Up-to-date with fashion and digital media industry trends.

Lula

Data Analyst

Arya is an experienced change manager with 7+ years of experience working in cross-functional consultancy teams, providing guidance and support in global commerce, marketing, digitalisation, and brand management to companies and institutions in Turkey. With her background in full-stack development, she not only has the technical and analytical skills needed to succeed in our digital world, but a strong mindset for stakeholder management.

Arya

Change Manager

Marwa is an office management professional from Syria with experience in administrative, technical and executive support. Her alumni profile recorded her work at Patagonia as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant supporting the Executive Management Team.

Marwa

Office Manager / Executive Assistant

Originally from Syria, Suha is a diversely skilled professional with experience in administrative support and interior design. She has a proven track record of providing professional, proactive and comprehensive support to the leadership team, and maintaining productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Proficient in MS Office, and easily adaptable to new technologies.

Suha

Administrative Professional