The Share Network and the Regional Government of Navarra are pleased to partner in the organisation of an international conference and best practice exchange visit that focuses on inclusion in small municipalities and rural territories, that will take place in the autonomous region of Navarra on 28-30 October 2025. The conference is a follow up of the 2022 Share Network  ‘Cities and Regions as Sponsors’ conference in Bilbao, on regional engagement in community sponsorships.

📅 When: 28-30 October 2025
📍 Where: Pamplona & Tudela, Navarra, Spain

Why Attend?

While larger cities often dominate migration discussions, small municipalities and rural territories across Europe play a crucial yet underrecognised role in welcoming migrants and refugees. This conference brings together practitioners, policymakers, and local stakeholders to:

• Exchange innovative practices for migrant inclusion in rural and small urban settings

• Explore successful models like Navarra's SOMOS community sponsorship programme and Share Network's SIRA project initiatives

• Discuss policies for social and labour market inclusion, including for migrant women and youth

• Address challenges including limited services, transportation, and integration resources in rural areas

• Discover opportunities that smaller communities offer: closer-knit networks, diverse labour markets, and affordable housing

• Network with peers from across Europe working on rural inclusion and community sponsorship

What to Expect:

This 3-day event combines multi-stakeholder exchange sessions with field visits to experience firsthand how Navarra links rural development with migrant inclusion strategies. Learn from their work supporting refugee families through community involvement and their Plan for the Reception of Migrants (2021-2026).

Please be aware that this is an in-person event. For any questions or further details, please contact Anna Coulibaly at coulibaly@icmc.net.