Second regional multi-stakeholder cooperation platform for migrant and refugee integration in Soria
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 Soria, 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 2 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 Soria, Spain.
23 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 Soria included:
Linguistic barriers hindering the full understanding of the reception process;
Complicated bureaucracy and administrative procedures;
Existence of prejudices towards migrants;
Lack of common spaces frequented by associations of migrants and local people.
Common challenges faced by both people living in rural areas and newcomers were also discussed and are summarized in the table above.
The information 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 thus brainstormed about possible interventions and shared some proposals for upcoming activities, which included:
Intercultural workshops and roundtables to discuss and learn about the respective food, languages, crafts, history and traditions
In small municipalities, encouraging the nomination of a local leader to promote activities that match the local needs with regards to inclusion and social cohesion;
Launch of a social garden;
Promotion of leisure and educational activities open to all to discover the territory.
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 Soria on the regional webpage.