Nationale-Nederlanden, Aegon, and the Lectorate Poverty Interventions of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences conducted a program between 2016 and 2020 aimed at reducing poverty and debt.

During this period, they supported 85 projects across seven cities. The book "From Debt to Opportunities - Knowing What Works" presents the findings of the research conducted on this program. It answers questions such as how many households were reached through the program and whether the financial self-reliance of these households improved. Additionally, it explores the success factors of the projects and participants, providing insights into what works and what doesn't in these initiatives. These learnings can then be adopted by other hundreds of initiatives in the Netherlands focused on combating poverty and debt.

The book delves deeper into the individual projects and their contribution to municipal poverty policies and formal debt assistance. It places special emphasis on the role of participants' motivation as a success factor, the achievement of sustainable behavioral change, and the measurement of project output, outcome, or impact. The program aimed to answer the question: What works for whom? After five years of program implementation and research, this book provides the answers.

Key Features:

- Comprehensive insights into a poverty and debt reduction program implemented across seven cities

- Examination of the impact on households' financial self-reliance and the successful elements of the projects

- Relevance to the hundreds of other initiatives focused on combating poverty and debt in the Netherlands

- Detailed analysis of the projects' contribution to municipal poverty policies and formal debt assistance

- Special attention to the role of participants' motivation and the achievement of sustainable behavioral change

- Focus on measuring project output, outcome, or impact

"From Debt to Opportunities - Knowing What Works" is a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and organizations aiming to address poverty and debt effectively. It provides evidence-based insights and practical strategies that can drive positive change and improve the lives of individuals and households facing financial hardships.