Social integration of migrants: key learnings

Integration is a complex and not a straightforward process, with different variables affecting the integration trajectory of each individual.

Therefore, this is a field where public authorities can benefit from a close collaboration with the third sector. Local governments can play a crucial role by creating the conditions for trust and cooperation between different actors.

Authorities can also provide the needed long-term funding and planning, while NGOs provide flexibility in designing and implementing interventions. NGOs also often have trust and access to groups that public institutions struggle to reach.

Joint planning and implementation between the sectors help ensure coherence and the closing of service gaps. A good example of such collaboration is the “Together we can do more” initiative from Szczecin, Poland. 

Authorities need to be willing to let go of power, so to speak, and believe in the competence of the other key stakeholders. This also includes acknowledging that migrants themselves have the capacity to assess and address their own challenges and that their perspective also needs to be considered when designing policies.

This is currently being done in the Mark municipality in Sweden, where a new integration policy is co-created with internal and external stakeholders, including the migrants themselves. 

There needs to be an adequate understanding of the needs of the migrants, the difficulties in the system and the concerns of the local communities. For NGOs, such research is especially critical when approaching authorities for support.

For example, the Nasc’s New Beginnings project started with research into the needs of refugee families reuniting in Ireland. The resulting report informed the structure and work to be carried out to support and empower refugee families in overcoming barriers within local housing, social welfare, education, employment and immigration systems. However, any good integration practice cannot be replicated in another context at face value - the local culture needs to be considered when it comes to integration policy. 

It leads to wider participation in society through education, employment and engagement with available services. Integration of children should go beyond services and address needs related to belonging, safety and being heard. Children should be consulted before starting projects tailored to them to ensure that they are relevant and needs-based.

For example, there can be a severe lack of trust in authorities. Especially security structures, such as the police and border guard, can make one uneasy, as in other contexts those might be part of the repressive state structures. Therefore, programmes and activities that help build trust towards the authorities are very important. Furthermore, migrants might also not be used to speaking their mind and require guidance on their rights of speech in the new society, as well as empowerment and structures that allow active participation and sharing of their experiences. 

A migration journey is often linked with stress and trauma. Many migrants, especially children and teens, can have trouble understanding where their emotions stem from and how to control them better. The Center for Psychophysical Development TUTU in Rzeszow, Poland, is using a variety of techniques to provide such support: group and individual therapy, art and music therapy, relaxation classes, developmental workshops, etc. These help to improve the migrants' well-being and help them gain social and personal competencies.