Second regional multi-stakeholder cooperation platform for migrant and refugee integration in Saône-et-Loire
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 Saône-et-Loire, 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 20 September 2021, Entraide Pierre Valdo, 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 department of Saône-et-Loire, France.
21 stakeholders joined the online event to continue the conversation started by the first roundtable and explore further the existing good practices in the field of migrant and refugee inclusion while discussing the upcoming regional factfiles, regional trainings and pilot actions in the framework of the Share SIRA project.
Two members of the platform shared their experience in working on integration in rural areas in Saône-et-Loire. They both focused on mobility and French language learning. The first intervention was animated by the director of Villages Solidaires and the second was conducted by CLEFS71. They highlighted the fact that mobility issues and language acquisition are always the main difficulties in rural territories, it is therefore a priority for the NGOs working in the field. Another major concern for NGOs is funding. Non-permanent grants make it very difficult to plan ahead, and the grants are often for beneficiaries of international protection only, which means that many actions cannot be set up for people without status.
The roundtable was also the opportunity to introduce the winner of the call for proposal for the pilot action in Saône-et-Loire. The association Humanity presented its “Make a wish” project, the objective of the pilot action is to support exiled people in the implementation of a personal project which highlights a talent or a skill. It is a project focused on empowerment as well as the involvement of the local community through partnerships with professionals, artists, artisans, etc.
They were able to give a concrete example of what these personal projects could look like with the intervention of Anouar, a refugee who is currently being trained in photography with the photographer Jean Michel Landon. After this first experience, Anouar will also be able to work with another photographer based in Montceau-les-Mines and will discover another aspect of the job. The exhibition of Anouar's photos was also made available in Humanity’s premises.
The stakeholders involved in the regional platforms will gather on two more occasions over the course of 2021/2022. You can stay updated on all the activities in Saône-et-Loire by visiting the regional webpage.