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

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 Karditsa, 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 14 April 2022, Karditsa Development Agency (AN.KA.), with the support of the Share Network, organised the fourth roundtable of the regional multi-stakeholder cooperation platform for migrant and refugee integration in the Karditsa Prefectural Unit, Greece.  

The roundtable was divided into two parts, part I and II. Part I was a more closed-type event with invited members of the regional platform. 23 stakeholders joined the event including local authorities, service providers, NGOs and international organisations, refugee-led organisations, researchers as well as individual refugees and migrants. Part II was an open event and intended to bring the refugee/migrant communities closer to the host community. 

In Part I, ANKA presented the progress of activities under Share SIRA, as well as other initiatives which are undertaken in the region and reinforce newcomers’ social inclusion and integration. Special reference was made to:

• recent developments of “ESTIA” programme for the accommodation of vulnerable asylum-seekers in Karditsa City, which will be concluded by the end of 2022, raising concerns on the number of refugees who will finally decide or be able to remain in Karditsa and

• the Ukrainian crisis and local responses. 

A session entitled “Bringing the refugee and migrant community into the spotlight” allowed members of the refugee and migrant community of the region to take the floor and engage with the other participants through a constructive dialogue. In particular, a female migrant from China, who is a mall owner, and a male refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who is currently officially employed, were interviewed. Questions focused basically on the present and the envisaged future of the interviewees highlighting the aspects of their daily life related to inclusion and the perspective of being part of a rural area. 

It should be mentioned that both interviewees reported their overall feeling of security they carry as residents of a rural area, their preference in residing in a rural area rather than in a big urban center, and their intention to stay in the region as long as they have a job enabling them to support themselves and their families. Both of them expressed their gratitude for being heard by the other participants, some of which were members of official entities and organisations.  

Concerning the main challenges they are facing, the female migrant reported the language barrier and the legal documentation process, while the male refugee reported the language barrier, the lack of legal aid and accounting support and the difficulty in accessing the labour market for other members of his community.   

An open event followed with buffet, music jamming from a teen African group and mingling between members of the refugee/migrant and the local community. Participants were invited to write on canvas their thoughts on questions like “What I like about my life here, is…./What is missing from my life here, is….”etc. Meanwhile, children could draw freely whatever they wanted.  

The 4th regional roundtable was the last in the series of regional roundtables of the Share SIRA. Various stakeholders from Karditsa 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 Karditsa can be found on the regional webpage.