Welcome & Integration
The two-way social & economic process of adaptation, experienced by both refugees, migrants, and receiving communities.
Three key elements for successful welcome and integration
Cooperation across all levels of governance to establish services that facilitate integration and ensure the best use of available capacities
Preparation of systems for arrival, reception and initial settlement, from pre-departure and to post-arrival
Ongoing collaboration between a wide variety of stakeholders at all levels to design, implement and evaluate integration actions
Benefits of successful integration for newcomers
The more inclusive the society, the more opportunities migrants and refugees have to add value and visibly contribute to their new communities. Beyond this, there are several practical outcomes:
Obtaining a secure legal status
Stronger support networks
Better outcomes in education, health and housing
Access to equal rights
Better employment opportunities and outcomes
A sense of being part of the community
Benefits of successful integration for receiving societies
Effective integration of newcomers benefits everyone, particularly those in smaller and rural communities. It positively impacts demographic challenges and revitalises local economies. Other benefits include:
Renewing unused housing
Promoting regional development
Reducing sector-specific skill shortages
Addressing issues of ageing populations
Improving viability of healthcare, education and leisure services
Contributing to new economic, social and cultural activities
What we advocate for
Welcome & Integration across the EU
1. Community sponsorship
We work with diverse groups within local communities to engage and support them in the active role of welcoming newcomers. The coming together of actors including faith-based organisations, sports clubs, volunteer groups, universities and the private sector encourages social cohesion and partnership in the practice of welcome and integration.
Citizen participation
One of several new forms of citizen participation to have emerged recently, community-based sponsorships help to combat negative migration narratives and establish effective individual integration solutions.
2. Integration in smaller & rural communities
Smaller and rural communities are increasingly becoming important partners and actors in the integration and resettlement of refugees and migrants.
Whilst receiving newcomers in rural communities is not without challenges for integration, our Share-IFRI study also highlights specific opportunities.
We support local and regional stakeholders to share best practice and support one another, and carry out targeted research on successful and effective place-based approaches for integration.
Share Action: Expanding Social Orientation & Integration in Rural Areas (SIRA)
Share SIRA is our latest project on rural integration co-funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). It uses participatory and co-creation approaches for orientation and integration involving local communities and newcomers. Currently underway in ten rural territories in France, Greece, Poland and Spain, it pilots grassroots actions for social orientation.
Funded by the EU
3. Research & best practice
We continue to further our knowledge on welcome and integration by by carrying out targeted research and creating opportunities for stakeholders at all levels to share and adapt best practices. Check out our ongoing projects to find out more.
Discover the Sustainable Practices of Integration project:
Find out about our research on COVID-19 & Integration:
Working in Welcome & Integration?
Get in touch.
Andrea Soler Eslava
Gabriela Agatiello