Fourth regional multi-stakeholder cooperation platform for migrant and refugee integration in Isère

The regional platform is set up in the framework of the Share SIRA project, our European project co-funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, which aims at strengthening and expanding the social orientation and overall integration of newcomers in rural territories in Europe. Besides Isère, regional multi-stakeholder cooperation platforms have also been set up in 9 other rural regions in Europe. Click here to find out more about these regions!

On 8 March 2022, Entraide Pierre Valdo, with the support of the SHARE Network, organized the fourth roundtable of the regional multi-stakeholder cooperation platform for migrant and refugee integration in the department of Isère, France.   

7 stakeholders joined the online event, including NGOs, mainstream service providers, a volunteer and a newcomer. Participants started with a small roundtable and an individual reflection on the challenges and opportunities of territorial coordination. 

The coordination team presented updates about the SIRA project and the pilot actions in France, Greece, Poland and Spain. La ligue de l’enseignement also gave a wide overview of the progress of their pilot project, funded in the framework of the SIRA project, and the actions having already been in place as well as next steps.    

The event continued with workshops and exchange of practices around two topics: 

• synergies between urban and rural areas, 

• territorial solidarity: welcoming and helping each other.  

In particular, participants discussed the existing initiatives, like the accommodation of asylum seekers and the support of the relocated families in Tullins, as well as coordination initiatives, like CTAIR, which only exists in the metropolis. Participants agreed on the need to decentralize actions, which already exist in the city, as well as to increase visibility of existing ations in rural towns. The discussion continued with the challenges and the limits to the urban/rural synergies, such as the lack of time, the need to get to know each other and the lack of services and associations in rural areas. Several solutions were proposed, including the creation of partnerships allowing access to labour market after obtaining the right to work. Moreover, participants agreed that the training of professionals in rural areas is essential. It is important that elected representatives, local actors, professionals and even social workers are properly trained. 

As far as the territorial solidarity is concerned, participants focused on the favorable factors, the means and the possible coordination actions. In particular, they discussed the potential of intergenerational solidarity and the solid relationships between neighbours in rural areas. The work of Singa, a structure connecting refugees and families in rural areas, was praised.  

To conclude the meeting, participants were reminded of the next steps, in particular the look and learn visit that will happen in Isère from 27 to 29 September 2022. 

The 4th regional roundtable was the last in the series of regional roundtables of the Share SIRA. Various stakeholders from Isère have met over the past months to discuss the integration of newly arrived refugees and migrants. Fruitful discussions and interesting debates on integration needs, access to services and challenges faced by newcomers during the integration process took place, while participants had the opportunity to better coordinate, share their experiences and exchange good practices. Some of them will have the occasion to meet again at the National Roundtable that will take place this autumn 2022. Through the multi-stakeholder platforms, the Share Network has also been able to provide trainings tailored to the needs of local actors and to collect data on the region and integration frameworks in the form of Factfiles.  

Through transnational activities and events, the project has also encouraged the exchange of practices and promoted inspiring grassroot practices at European level, thus making the link between practice and policy.  

Share Network would like to thank all stakeholders who participated in the roundtables for their commitment and important contribution. 

 More information about the activities in Isère can be found on the regional webpage.