Fostering social inclusion

This section is a collection of projects that have been implemented in different countries around Europe. The ultimate goal of all these projects is fostering the inclusion of refugees and migrants through activities in various fields. The section aims at providing ideas for long term programmes that will be useful in the inclusion process.

The idea behind this section is to present projects and initiatives that have been effective in some European countries, acknowledging that they might need to be adapted in order to fit your own context. Most of these projects have been or are financed through National, European or International Funds.

If you are interested to more examples of initiatives or projects involving youth work and refugees, you are kindly invited to consult the section about Good Practices which is available on this website.

ALCE – Appetite for Learning Comes with Eating

Country/ies involvedAustria, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Lithuania
Target GroupSenior native women (60+) and young migrant women (18-40)
Objective(s)
  • Breaking social isolation of certain target groups experiencing multiple discrimination.
  • Developing the intercultural and intergenerational dialogue between the two target groups.
  • Encouraging adult learning through the recognition and validation of the competences (literacy, civic, entrepreneurial) acquired by the target groups.
Key activities

The learning phase was based on exchange of food traditions and natural curative methods, cultural events, learning mobilities, creation of a recipe book gathering traditional recipes and remedies.

The second year of the project was focused on the creation of a pedagogical manual on innovative approaches for stimulating intergenerational and intercultural learning.

The project has been financed by the Lifelong Learning programme of the European Union.

Further infowww.appetiteforlearning.eu

Progetto Amuni’

Country/ies involvedItaly
Target GroupParticipation into project activities is open to any person who has experienced migration at least once in their lifetime. This has the aim of distancing the term “migrant” from the negative connotation assumed lately.
Objective(s)The ultimate result of the project will be the creation of a theatre group whose members are migrants.
Key activitiesThe project has been financed by the Italian Ministry for Culture (MiBAC) and has been realised in collaboration between youth centres and cultural organisations.

The main activity for the target group is to work together towards the realisation and adaptation of the play La Putain Respecteuse by Jean-Paul Sartre. This will go along with drama workshops, but also workshops about the different roles and professions related to theatre. The goal of those workshops will be the creation of an autonomous and independent theatre group whose members are migrants.

Further infohttps://www.babelcrew.org/vuoto (available only in Italian)

Facebook: Progetto Amunì (available only in Italian)

Ragazzi Harraga

Country/ies involvedItaly
Target GroupUnaccompanied Minors (UAMs)
Objective(s)
  • Improving the system of protection, support and integration of UAMs in the city of Palermo (Sicily).
  • Improving the communication and coordination among the organisations and institutions working with UAMs
Key activities

Financed through local foundations, the project sees the collaboration of a number of organisations and institutions active in welcoming, hosting and supporting UAMs in Palermo.

The improved coordination among the actors will lead to the provision of shelter and work opportunities for the minors, but also to the realisation of workshops about multiculturalism and training.

One of the key activities of the project will also be the refurbishment of a building in central Palermo. This will become a house for UAMs who turn 18, but also a hostel managed by the guys themselves.

Further infohttp://www.ciai.it/progetti/ragazzi-harraga/ (available only in Italian)

Creative drama as a social inclusion and refugee integration tool

Country/ies involvedN/A
Target GroupTeachers and school staff at pre-school, primary and secondary level
Objective(s)The organisation UTOPIA organises courses about drama techniques and exercises to be used in schools as tools to integrate foreign students.
Key activities

Drama has proven to be a good tool in order to foster the inclusion process. Drama games, role plays, knowing each other activities, trust games and team building activities are very deep activities to break the barriers between groups.

The 7-days course has the aim of introducing teachers to these practices and techniques, through workshops, group discussions and front lessons.

Further infohttps://www.schooleducationgateway.eu/en/pub/teacher_academy/catalogue/detail.cfm?id=36795

The Voices Project

Country/ies involvedUnited Kingdom
Target GroupRefugees and asylum-seekers
Objective(s)Enable creative expression and personal development of young migrants whose opportunities have been limited through poverty, ignorance, fear and discrimination.
Key activities

The programme, which spanned over 8 years, included a number of single projects, each focusing on a specific field of arts or aspect of art production. Significant projects included:

  • HeadsArt – out of school language development programme for 11+
  • Inspirational Drama – integrated youth theatre for all
  • Films and Teacher resources
  • Empower All Festival – celebrating refugees and new communities
  • Flightpaths – training programme for newly arrived artists looking to work in the art/education sector
Further infohttp://www.glypt.co.uk/inclusion/voices/

 

ASPIRE – Activity, Sport, Play for the Inclusion of Refugees in Europe

Country/ies involvedAustria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Greece, Serbia, Spain, Sweden
Target GroupRefugees and asylum-seekers, but also professional sport coaches and trainers
Objective(s)Establishing how sports clubs can support the inclusion of migrants and refugees through their activities. The idea builds on the popularity of sports and other forms of physical activity.
Key activitiesThe partners in the project aim at training professionals in the sports field in order to be able to recognise and cater for the specific needs of refugees and migrants.

The partners will develop and test training modules in 2018, in order to evaluate their effectiveness for sport professional. In 2019, they will proceed to the organisation of national training sessions.

The training modules will help reaching the objective of offering refugees and asylum-seekers opportunities to take part in the community life, and to ease their access to social services.

Further infohttps://www.aspiresport.eu/

Befriending

Country/ies involvedMalta
Target Group
  • Third country nationals (TCNs) living in Malta
  • Maltese citizens and long term residents in Malta
Objective(s)The project is based on the experience of a pilot project involving refugee and Maltese women, realised in collaboration between UNHCR Malta and Kopin. The main goal of the project is to create opportunities for TCNs to be involved within the Maltese society and to share their culture. At the same time, local volunteers will have the opportunity to share their experiences and learn about migration in Malta. This initiative does not create power relationships between the two parties, but foster the constructive dialogue and promote regulated friendly relationships.
Key activities
  • Each local volunteer is partnered up with a third country national, based on common interests
  • Volunteers and beneficiaries take part in training session, focusing on migration and multiculturalism, before meeting their partner
  • Individual meetings for the couples are organised. Each participant is provided a diary to record feelings and impressions for each meeting.
  • Group activities (outings, cultural activities, workshops) are offered to all participants. These are aimed at providing a common ground for the creation of one-to-one relationships.
Further info