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In Amsterdam, a quarter of the residents have debts. That is why Nathalie Dijkman, director of the Amsterdam Law Hub, together with her colleagues Susan Leclerq and Tim Verheij, founded a debt law shop: the 'Schuldenbrug'. This is where research, education and debt assistance come together. In 2023, AUF began a fundraising campaign for De Schuldenbrug as part of the Equal Opportunity Campaign.
Photo: Annemiek van der Kuil

Research shows that people with debts often find it difficult to seek help, but they do have contact with care providers in the social domain. That is why these care providers can seek legal advice from the legal advice center. The AUF supports the initiative with 20,000 euros, partly from the proceeds of the 2023 campaign and partly from the Paul F. van der Heijden Fund. Law students Fiore van der Linden and Jessenia Cruz Ospina were able to work in the law center thanks to the contribution from the AUF. They answer questions, provide legal advice and they conduct research into a new manual for debt counselors. Fiore explains why she joined: 'It is a luxury to study at university and learn new things. It would be a shame not to give anything back to society with the knowledge gained.'