The National Postcode Lottery and the UAF

Thanks to the participants of the National Postcode Lottery, more than 3.200 refugees develop their talents every year through study and work. Towards a new future and sustainable participation in our society.

Inspirational stories

Betül: 'When I think ahead to my graduation ceremony, I already feel happy'

Stannie, medical mentor: 'There is a shortage of medical personnel, people like Sinidu can mean something'

Oleksandr: 'I can't just give up my dream'

UAF Award winner Lobna Abdo: 'I will become a champion of the Dutch language'

After 150 applications, Hakeem is finally back in the classroom

Five years of studying for one goal: working as a dentist

What does the UAF do?

We believe that language and education are important for the sustainable participation of refugees in the Netherlands. The UAF offers people with a refugee background the guidance needed to quickly participate in our society again at their own level and to be able to continue on their own.

'The National Postcode Lottery believes in the power of social organizations to make the world greener, healthier and more just. One of the organizations that the Postcode Lottery supports is the UAF. For more than 75 years, the UAF has believed in a sustainable future for everyone, and I am proud that thanks to the participants of the Postcode Lottery, we have been able to contribute to the themes on which the UAF has been working for more than 20 years. This includes advising and connecting refugees with knowledge and experience with educational institutions, (local) governments and employers in the Netherlands. Anyone who can use their knowledge is meaningful in the Netherlands.'

Jonne Arnoldussen

Managing Director of the National Postcode Lottery

About the National Postcode Lottery – together we make the difference

The National Postcode Lottery was founded in 1989 to support charities that work towards a just, healthy and green world. The lottery raises funds for its charities and publicises their work.

In the Postcode Lottery, your postcode is your lottery number. This means you win together with your neighbours. More than 3 million participants now play the lottery. Participants have a chance to win hundreds of thousands of prizes every month and support 40 charitable organisations with at least 146 percent of the ticket price each year. Since the Postcode Lottery was founded, 8 billion euros have been donated to people and nature. The UAF Foundation for Refugee Students and many other organisations receive support every year.

The Postcode Lottery is part of the Postcode Lottery Group, a social enterprise that has now set up the unique Postcode Lottery format in five countries. The aim is to raise as much money as possible for charities by organising a lottery. The Postcode Lottery Group is the third largest private donor to charities in the world (2021). In 2023, it was able to donate a record amount of over €900 million to charities and cultural partners. The shares of the Postcode Lottery Group are 100% owned by a foundation.

If you would like more information about the National Postcode Lottery and the charities it supports, or if the combination of playing and helping appeals to you, please visit postcodeloterij.nl.

Nationale Postcode Lotterij