Newsletter: European Web Site on Integration

74th issue of the European Web Site on Integration‘s newsletter

Mainstreaming refugee integration with EU funds

On 25 September, the European Commission met with managing authorities of the European Social Funds (ESF) and Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) to discuss how best to use EU funds and measures to support the integration of asylum seekers and refugees, as part of the EU’s humanitarian response. Commissioner Marianne Thyssen delivered a speech at this extraordinary meeting. The Commission is exploring all options, including accelerated amendments if necessary, to optimise funds and address constraints in implementation, taking account of good practice on the ground.

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Integration prospects and policies are key for success of new EU relocation scheme

On 22 September, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2015/1601 establishing provisional measures in the area of international protection for the benefit of Italy and Greece. The provisional measure is a temporary relocation mechanism for nationals of countries with high asylum recognition rates, in order to support Italy and Greece to better cope with these sudden inflows. The Decision states that the integration of applicants in clear need of international protection into the host society is the cornerstone of a properly functioning Common European Asylum System.

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Discrimination still seen as widespread, though more Europeans would accept political leader with ethnic minority background

Europe’s continent-wide survey on discrimination was updated in June 2015 among 28000 EU citizens, as the Special Eurobarometer 437. A better understanding of discrimination is crucial for both the Commission and the Member States to develop effective integration and equality policies.

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EU proposes greater cooperation on inclusive education, non-discrimination and civic competences

The European Commission’s DG Education and Culture (DG EAC) published on 1 September a draft joint report with the Member States calling for strengthening cooperation in education and training up to 2020 and especially to promote social inclusion. This initiative is explicitly intended to tackle radicalisation in schools following the January 2015 attacks in Paris and Copenhagen and the March Joint Declaration of EU education ministers.

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 Upcoming Events
SHARE Network Conference ‘Protecting and Welcoming Refugees in Europe: Responding to an unprecedented Refugee Crisis.’20/10/2015 09:00
(Committee of the Regions, Bâtiment Jacques Delors, Rue Belliard 99-101, 1040 Brussels)
The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) is organising the one-day SHARE Network Conference “Protecting and Welcoming Refugees in Europe: Responding to an unprecedented Refugee Crisis”. The event is co-hosted by the Committee of the Regions in Brussels and will take place on…
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IOM’s Conference on Migrants and Cities

26/10/2015 00:00
(Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)
In 2014, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs estimated that more than half of the world’s population resided in urban areas. Migrants play an important role in driving cities’ development agendas. However, this role seems to be largely overlooked in the…
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fair.versity Austria 2015

23/10/2015 10:00
(MAK Wien Weiskirchnerstraße 3, 1010 Wien)
The fair.versity Austria is the first and only career and education fair with a focus on diversity in Austria and in Europe. The focus is on skills and experience – regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, social status and / or disability.
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EUNIC Conference: Culture and Migration

14/10/2015 09:00
(Litteraturhuset, Wergelandsveien 29, 0167 Oslo, Norway)
How can cultural institutions in Europe contribute to an intercultural society? Europe is nowadays facing very important issues on migration, identity and mobility. Stepping up to the challenge of deepening its knowledge and awareness of its own cultural diversity and shaping a possible European…
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 Latest NewsMalta: Migrants initiatives to ease their integration process in the society

A new network of non-EU nationals organisations  called Third Country National Support Network Malta (TSN Malta) has been established in Malta. The plateform is meant to encourage migrants organisations to help each other and the Maltese society to grow more favorable towards TCNs…
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Netherlands: Dutch entrepreneurs launch a free Airbnb-style site for refugees

The newspaper NRC Next asked 213 out of the Netherlands’ 400 town and village councils about how they were planning to house refugees with the right to stay in the Netherlands and what preparations they were making to settle them. The conclusion is that four in five local councils do…
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Czech Republic: The Czech Bar Association to advocate for pro bono legal services to immigrants

The managing board of the Czech Bar Association discussed during its meetings, held on 14 and 15 September, suggestions concerning problems with guaranteeing legal rights for immigrants from African and Asian countries in the territory of the Czech Republic. It raised concerns about signals of…
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Luxembourg: New website featuring all language courses

The linguistic situation of Luxembourg city being somewhat particular and the presence of foreigners rather high (2/3 of the population), the local integration body of Luxembourg city suggested to make an internet portal where all language courses taking place on its  territory could…
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Sweden: 21 billion SEK earmarked for integration efforts for newly arrived immigrants in the 2016 state budget

The Swedish government proposes that 21 billion SEK (2,25 billion Euro) shall be earmarked for integration efforts for newly arrived immigrants in the 2016 state budget. That is an increase of five billion compared to 2015. The higher allocation is due to the increased spending on economic…
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Germany: Extra €6bn to fund record influx of 800,000 refugees

The German federal government said it is prepared to spend an additional €6 billion on helping refugees, but also to impose stricter rules for rejecting asylum applicants. The government announced last Sunday that it would increase federal funds targeted at refugees by €3 billion next…
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Poland: Recognition of academic diplomas made easier for foreigners

The Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education has issued a new regulation on diploma recognition for foreigners which will benefit to refugees, among others. This regulation will make it easier for foreigners to get their diploma recognised but also allow them to take up and continue…
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 Integration Practices recently uploadedLutte contre les discriminations dans l’accès au logement

L’Espace Solidarité Habitat (ESH) est un lieu d’accès aux droits qui propose un suivi aux personnes en situation de mal logement : procédure d’expulsion pour dettes, locataire en habitat indigne, personnes hébergée, à l’hotel, ou…
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Empowering – Immigrants integration through the empowerment of local actors

The project arises from a set of needs identified in the development of the activities of the Project Integrating (funded by Action 1 of the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals) and therefore, as a complement to the work that was developed in the municipality of Odemira…
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The Refugee Project – Everybody Deserves a Warm Welcome

For more than four years, The Refugee Project has worked for the integration of hundreds of children and adults living in the reception centres of the State Agency for Refugees in Sofia. Every week, with the help of more than 300 volunteers of all ages, the team organises Bulgarian, English and…
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Latest documents

Promoting respect and diversity – Combating intolerance and hate

‘Promoting respect and diversity – Combating intolerance and hate’ is the contribution paper of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights to the European Commission’s Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights. The paper provides evidence showing that racism, xenophobia and related…
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EMN Focussed Study Greece 2015: Determining labour shortages and the need for labour migration from third countries

The period 2013-2014 has two main characteristics when it comes to migration policies development and labour market. First, the adoption by the Greek government of the National Strategy for the integration of third countries nationals in March 2013. According to the text, there is no demand for…
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