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

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 Vaucluse, 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 9 May 2022, Entraide Pierre Valdo, with of 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 Vaucluse, in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. 

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

After the roundtable, the participants discussed the updates of the project in France, Greece, Poland and Spain. Then, the association Au maquis presented a wide overview of the pilot project, its progress and the actions undertaken in Vaucluse. Participants got key insights about the project Commune Ferme, its objectives and its achievements. They also learnt about the dynamics existing in this territory and upcoming actions.   

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

• Health issues in the care of newcomer populations, 

• Development of social links and interculturality. 

In particular, participants had the chance to discuss the strong interrelationship between health and integration issues. They, also, treated the Au maquis project as a mean of cultivation of the link between good food and good health and of promotion of the inclusion in activities for people with physical difficulties. The discussion continued with the issue of access to health care and its challenges, like the problem of medical deserts and of access to care, especially in mental health. Participants discussed the possibility of a project for a traditional health clinic with fees based on financial situation and the fact that a collective of 35 therapists is looking for a venue to conduct their activities. Currently, the consultations are taking place in medical practices. Participants highlighted that mental health is never a priority for newcomers and that informal talks are needed. After several discussions, participants concluded that health is tightly linked to the issues of mobility and language.  

Furthermore, through various studies carried out by GIP HIS evaluating the neighborhood relations and the frequentation of living areas in the neighborhoods, the participants treated the correlation between sustainable settlement and integration in local social activities. They also discussed how can rural actors show the benefits of newcomers’ integration in rural areas and ensure that settling in rural communities remains a free and informed choice. They stressed the importance of putting newcomers at the heart of their integration process and starting from their needs and aspirations.

To conclude the meeting, participants were reminded of the next steps, in particular the look and learn visit that will happen in Spain from 7 to 9 June 2022 and 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 Vaucluse 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 Vaucluse can be found on the regional webpage.