Share’s new policy brief builds on the research and work carried out within the Share SIRA project, which piloted place-based, innovative integration actions in small and rural areas. It provides an overview of existing EU funding mechanisms, challenges to accessing these, and advocates for improved access to funding for better integration of migrants and refugees in rural areas.

Share’s new policy brief builds on the momentum of recent EU policy commitments and approaches for integration and participation in rural territories. It presents examples of inspiring participation practices and advocates for mainstreaming of participation for integration across the EU.

By allowing an innovative socio-professional integration project to be set up in his municipality, Alex Brichet-Billet has not only opened the way for a comprehensive response to the refugees' search for stability in terms of housing, employment, and social integration. He has also given the chance to find employment to locals and refugees alike, doing so paving the way to lively village life.

In June 2021, the European Commission published its Rural Vision which provides a long term framework to revitalize rural territories in the aftermath of the Covid 19 pandemic. Following up on the SHARE Expert Group Meeting on integration in rural territories, ICMC Europe and the SHARE Network co-hosted an event on September 17th to discuss the role of migration in the Rural Vision.