MIGRATIONS, INTEGRATION AND CO-DEVELOPMENT IN EUROPE

EUROPE FOR CITIZENS – Democratic engagement and civic participation – Civil society projects

DATES

01/12/2014 – 31/05/2016

THE CONTEXT

The project “Migrations, Integration and Co-Development in Europe” encourages an intercultural dialogue between civil society organizations and citizens from different countries and living communities in Europe to express their views about EU policies related to migration and asylum and more broadly, about the key priorities and strategic actions needed to face common and current challenges. Through a bottom up approach the project involves citizens and members from civil society organisations, local authorities, educational, cultural or research institutions, town-twinning committees and networks that are active in the migration and asylum field.

COUNTRIES INVOLVED

Italy, Cyprus, Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

To engage intercultural dialogue and civic participation of citizens at Union level in the development of common European policies in the areas of asylum and migration.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE

– To foster a lively and cross-border debate about EU policies related to migration and asylum among civil society organizations and citizens in Europe.

EXPECTED RESULTS

– Enhanced awareness,democratic engagement and debateon EU policies related to migration and asylum among civil society organizations and citizens from different countries and local communities in Europe.

– Analysis ofindividual opinions of European citizens about the perception of the refugee crisis through the on-line survey.

– Developed recommendations on a common European policy in the areas of asylum and migration through the involvement of experts from civil society organizations, NGOs and local authorities from the participating countries.

– Increased cooperation and networking between civil society organizations and citizens that are active in the migrations, asylum and inclusion at EU level.

THE ON-LINE SURVEY

An online survey has been launched between June 2015 and January 2016 in order to gather individual opinions on perception about the phenomenon and feedbacks about current policies on migration and asylum policy from citizens of all participating countries.

THE INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON “MIGRATION, INTEGRATION AND CO-DEVELOPMENT IN EUROPE”

An initial international workshop on “Migration, integration and co-development in Europe”was hosted in Caltanissetta, Italy, on 8-10 May 2015 involving over 50 participants from Italy, Cyprus, Belgium, Estonia, France, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria. The workshop included the active participation of experts from local organizations involved in the migration field in Sicily.

The agenda included:

– The European scenario on migration and asylum.

– Forum space: scenarios and experiences in each participating country.

– The European policies on Migration and Asylum: the European directives, the Treaty of Lisbon, the Dublin

Regulation, the EASO “European Asylum Support Office” and the “CEAS- Common European Asylum System.

– AMIF – Asylum Migration Integration Fund 2014/2020.

– Vulnerable groups: victims of violence and torture, other targeted groups.

– Practices and experiences on the field: the role of intercultural mediation by “Migranti solidali”, social innovation for integration and new opportunities by “Caritas Agrigento & Fondazione Mondoaltro”, the protection of unaccompanied foreign minors by Girasoli onlus.

– Co-development workshops: new perspectives on shared policies.

THE FINAL INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR “A COMMON EUROPEAN MIGRATION POLICY”

A final international seminar “A common European migration policy” was hosted in Caltanissetta, Italy, on 3-4 October 2015 involving over 50 participants from Italy, Cyprus, Belgium, Estonia, France, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria.

The seminar included the active participation of experts from local organizations involved in the migration field in Sicily.

The agenda included:

– The project “Migration, Integration and Co-development in Europe”.
– Refugee crisis: Migration to Europe explained in graphics.
– From migration’s causes to integration: the European agenda.
– Monitoring the implementation of the migration policy: data, corruption and recommendations.
– Migratory routes to Europe: testimonials by “Migranti solidali” from Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Kashmir and Ghana.
– Forum space: presentation of recommendations by national delegations.
– A European Citizens’ Initiative: a shared EU policy on migration and asylum.
– Reflections and follow-up.

RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE AREAS OF ASYLUM AND MIGRATION

Both partner organizations and participants have been invited to discuss and debate issues from the European political agenda in the areas of asylum and migration in order to develop possible recommendations. The final recommendations have been developed by comparing diverse perspectives from different local communities in Europe and drawing conclusions through the interactions of a plurality of point of views.

Click below to download the final booklet including recommendations on a European policy on migration and asylum

Download

THE PARTNERSHIP

Project coordinator: Prism-Promozione Internazionale Sicilia-Mondo – Italy, Caltanissetta
Migranti Solidali – Italy, Caltanissetta
Seiklejate Vennaskond – Estonia, Tartu
Inter Alia – Greece, Athens
Centre for advancement of research and development in education – Cyprus, Lefkosia
INFOREF Initiatives pour une Formation Efficace – Belgium, Liege
A.D.E.L. – Association for Development, Education and Labour – Slovakia, Stropkov
HUMANA People to people in Latvia – Latvia, Riga
Siauliai Municipality Care Home – Lithuania, Siauliai
Aufbruch Neukölln – Germany, Berlin
EFUS – European forum for urban security – France, Paris
Tudás Alapítvány – Hungary, Hódmezővásárhely
Centro em Rede de Investigaçãoem Antropologia – Portugal, Lisbon
Roma Youth Centre – FormerYugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kumanovo
Centrul pentru Studiul Comparat al Migratiei – Romania, Cluj Napoca
Association of European projects in Bulgaria – Bulgaria, Varna,