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

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 Lower Silesia, 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 April 2022, IOM Poland, 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 Province of Lower Silesia, Poland. 

Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, many local stakeholders were very busy with ongoing activities and some of them left during the meeting due to competing priorities. The number of participants in this online event varied from 9 to 16, including regional authorities and agencies, mainstream service providers, NGOs, a migrant and refugee-led organisation and a representative of a university.  

The discussion focused on the topics of the legal situation of people fleeing Ukraine and the emergency response, since the area is highly affected. The event also included presentations on local initiatives and a short presentation on the pilot action activities. Participants had the chance to ask questions and get clarifications on the presentations. 

One of the main outcomes of the event was the need for resettling people all over the country instead of in overcrowded cities. Participants agreed on the need for systemic solutions to the challenges concerning the education of the children who fled Ukraine and the long-term accommodation. Mapping the existing services was one of the identified challenges. Participants exchanged practices regarding the shelters offered, but all of them stressed the importance of providing a long-term solution. Moreover, some of the municipality services provided information on education and preparatory classes for children who do not speak Polish yet.  

The 4th regional roundtable was the last in the series of regional roundtables of the Share SIRA. Various stakeholders from Lower Silesia 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 grassroots 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 Lower Silesia can be found on the regional page.