The Netherlands: Amsterdam

'Our team challenges are very popular and a great way of getting people involved in the local community and building relationships with community organisations.'
Dirk-Jan Smit, partner responsible for CSR in Amsterdam

In 2008, our Amsterdam office launched a new community project working alongside SAMAH, a foundation for young asylum seekers. As part of the partnership, asylum seekers received training on presentation skills from our associates and HR team. On World Refugee Day our office hosted the annual conference organised by the foundation, and workshops and fashion shows organised by the young asylum seekers could be heard and seen throughout the office.

The SAMAH Trust campaigns for the rights of asylum seekers, many of whom came to the Netherlands without a family, and helps them towards self sufficiency.

'To organise this event together with Freshfields was a wonderful experience. You have made dreams come through. Thanks, on behalf of all our youngsters!'
Els van Mourik, director of SAMAH

Community Challenge

As part of the 2007 and 2008 Community Challenge, our office worked with the organisation Sinterklaas Bestaat (Santa Claus exists). The celebration of Sinterklaas is a typical Dutch tradition with lots of sweets, presents, songs and poems. Unfortunately, not all parents are able to buy presents for their children, which is where Sinterklaas Bestaat comes in, by providing poor families with the means to have a wonderful Sinterklaas celebration. Companies and individuals donate presents that are collected, put into large Sinterklaas bags and handed out to the families. Our volunteers helped by putting together over 1,500 bags of presents.

'Thanks to all your efforts it has been a great success. It was heartwarming the way Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer helped us. Many, many thanks.'
Kiki Hirschfeld, founder of Sinterklaas Bestaat