How we work

The three programmes of Foundation H.O.O.R.: case-file investigation, independent mediation between citizens and government, and societal research.

H.O.O.R. works in three programmes, supported by one shared investigation and case-file function with fixed quality standards.

Programme 1 — Remedy and case-file investigation

We create insight into situations where injustice may have occurred and remedy is missing or stalled. That means: establishing the request for help, inventorying documents, drafting a chronology, determining which facts are provable and which routes to remedy exist. Findings are recorded in a research note. Case-file investigation is not a legal judgement; conclusions are supported by documents and, where necessary, expert advice.

Programme 2 — Independent mediation

We prevent solvable problems from growing into prolonged correspondence or formal escalation. Six steps:

1. Problem clarification — what happened and which question remains unanswered?
2. Case-file organisation — making documents, decisions and previous responses transparent.
3. The right route — explanation, complaint, Woo request, GDPR request or objection: these routes are not interchangeable.
4. Contact with the agency — with your permission we present your question, clearly framed, to the right department.
5. Mediation and solution — from an intelligible explanation to a correction or a concrete next step.
6. Recording and follow-up — agreements and outstanding actions are documented.

Programme 3 — Societal and cross-border research

We connect individual problems to broader patterns: structural defects in remedy procedures, cross-border barriers to legal protection, problems of (ex-)detainees and patterns in online fraud. Publications distinguish between facts, statements, assumptions and conclusions supported by documents. Personal data are never published unnecessarily.

Intake and selection

Not every request can be accepted. We assess fit with our mission, severity and urgency, available information, feasibility, capacity, safety and possible conflicts of interest. Cases outside our expertise are referred where possible.

Measuring results

We measure success not just by the number of cases, but by resolved core questions, timely referrals and demonstrably fewer repeat contacts — without loss of legal protection.