Regions and Cities as Sponsors Conference in Bilbao
A leading example of regional engagement is the Auzolana (Basque for ‘Welcome’) pilot community sponsorship initiative that was launched in March 2019 to welcome five Syrian families in Basque municipalities: Bilbao, Arrigorriaga, Portugalete, Andoain and Vitoria-Gasteiz. The initiative is the first community sponsorship programme, organized and led by a regional government.
The Share Network in partnership with the Basque Government organised a Regions and Cities as Sponsors Conference as well as a Look and Learn visit in Bilbao (Spain), on 15 - 17 June 2022. Being both a pioneering initiative in the engagement of regional governments in complementary pathways, as well as an interesting example of multilevel governance, the conference and the visit invited Share QSN partners and interested stakeholders to learn and reflect upon the Basque, Valencia and Navarra experiences in building successful multi-stakeholder community sponsorship programmes. It was attended by over 60 participants from nine different European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK) comprising representatives of European cities and regions, national administrations, NGOs, volunteers and solidarity networks, as well as other relevant stakeholders.
Please see the detailed report and summary of conclusions and next steps below. The report highlights the challenges and opportunities in engaging regions and cities in CS; sheds light on the importance of multistakeholder engagement in CS; and looks at hosting responses from citizens, cities and regions as well as good practices of citizen housing initiatives for Ukrainian refugees. It features a discussion on mobilising support for decentralised community sponsorship programmes.
Some key recommendations:
Community sponsorship offers cities and regions a tangible way to take a direct stance against the often-negative national narrative surrounding migration, offering a ‘whole of society approach.’
Community sponsorship allows regions and cities to engage in strengthening local partnerships and community bonds.
Early engagement with municipalities is key for the success of sponsorship programmes
There is need for awareness raising and outreach to make community sponsorship programmes more visible at the municipal and regional level
Recruitment strategies that ensure diverse volunteer groups are necessary
The lessons learned from, notably, citizen housing initiatives and the management of volunteers should influence community sponsorship programmes, just as the key lessons from the latter (vetting of sponsors, matching, safeguarding, training, providing ongoing support and possibilities for peer learning) should inform the new models of welcome piloted for Ukrainians.
Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu, President of the Basque Country on their approach to community sponsorship
Statement by Mayor of Rottenburg on the role of local authorities in community sponsorship