Second 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 the Province of 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 24 June 2021, IOM Poland, in cooperation with 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 Lower Silesia, Poland.

Due to the pandemic and the difficulties in reaching actors in remote areas of the region, only 6 stakeholders joined the two-hour event online to continue the conversation started by the first roundtable and explore further the experiences previously shared and the existing good practices in the field of migrant and refugee inclusion while discussing the upcoming pilot opportunities in the framework of the SHARE SIRA project.

For instance, participants exchanged good practices implemented by themselves or other organizations, such as organization of events raising awareness on cultural diversity, training and engagement of cultural assistants in schools, organization of  “Polish conversation” clubs, provision of assistance to victims of violence in small cities and  support with residency procedures.

However, stakeholders agreed that these actions and initiatives could be amended to increase effectiveness and social impact, in particular with regards to:

• Communication between stakeholders;

• Continuity of programs and initiatives, also from a funding perspective;

• Digitalization of existing databases, so far limited.

The inputs provided by participants fed into the discussion on the pilot actions for the inclusion and integration of migrants in the territory to be launched in the fall. Stakeholders brainstormed about methods to foster the participation of the local community in integration activities. Some of the ideas included:

• Involvement of foreigners in local activities such as sculpting, sewing, woodwork to facilitate integration through action rather than conversation;

• Increased involvement of local authorities;

• Design and implementation of actions on a micro-scale adjusted to local circumstances.

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 Lower Silesia on the regional webpage.