Second regional multi-stakeholder cooperation platform for migrant and refugee integration in Guadalajara
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 the Province of Guadalajara, 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 4 June 2021, IOM Spain, in cooperation with Fundación CEPAIM and ICMC Europe (lead of the SHARE Network) organized the second roundtable of the regional multi-stakeholder cooperation platform for migrant and refugee integration in the Province of Guadalajara, Spain.
16 stakeholders joined the two-hour event online to continue the conversation started by the first roundtable, explore further the experiences previously shared and cover additional relevant topics for the local actors.
For instance, participants exchanged about the priorities of EU policies and joint initiatives for integration and rural territories for 2021-2027, comparing the needs and challenges faced by newcomers in Guadalajara with those presented within the European Public Consultation carried out by the European Commission.
Some of the challenges identified in Guadalajara included:
Difficulties in covering basic needs ;
Lack of educational opportunities for families with children and greater facilities for single-parent families ;
Poor connection with the cultural and social environment ;
Communication barriers due to language limitations ;
Mobility difficulties, limited access to other services such as health care, shopping, etc. ;
Lack of social support networks ;
Stereotypes and prejudices that the local population has towards migrants.
Common challenges faced by both people living in rural areas and newcomers were also discussed and are summarized in the table above.
In addition to that, the information provided by participants fed into the discussion on the pilot actions for the inclusion and integration of migrants in the territory, which are to be launched in the fall. Stakeholders thus brainstormed about possible interventions and shared some proposals for upcoming activities, which included:
Socio-labour orientation programs, emotional accompaniment, and attention ;
Activities to involve migrants in village improvement projects where they can collaborate with local people. For example, volunteering in environmental projects, community gardens ;
Workshops to connect the skills of migrants and those of local people ;
Enhanced mobility between villages via "rural cars" ;
The creation of intergenerational spaces.
The stakeholders involved in the regional platforms will gather on two more occasions over the course of 2021/2022. You can find more information on the activities in Guadalajara on the regional webpage.