Third 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 25 January 2022, Entraide Pierre Valdo, with the support of ICMC Europe (lead of the SHARE Network), organized the third roundtable of the regional multi-stakeholder cooperation platform for migrant and refugee integration in the department of Saône-et-Loire, France.
22 stakeholders joined the online event including regional authorities and agencies, local authorities, public employment bodies and NGOs.
First, the SIRA project was presented to newcomers in the platform. Then, the field team gave updates on what is happening in the department (new arrivals, new partnerships, etc.). Humanity also gave updates on its pilot action in Saône-et-Loire. Participants stated that the SIRA project is advancing well and is getting concrete with the pilot action. Participants express their interest in the project and say that this allowed them to meet/know Humanity association and its actions.
Breakout rooms were used to enable participants to exchange on 2 subjects:
The development of social link through interculturality and
The mobilization of local and regional authorities.
On the theme of interculturality, participants insisted on the need to have staff dedicated to this topic in order to ensure regular activities focusing on the creation of a social bond between newcomers and the local community, and regular communication on the work implemented by associations working with newcomers. It also means that a dedicated budget must be planned for these roles. The communications ahead of events must also be better planned in order to reach the migrant audience especially in terms of where the information is disseminated and in which language. Volunteers must be trained for this public and interact with them without negative preconceived ideas about their culture.
On the topic of the mobilization of local and regional authorities, the participants explained that there was a need to inform the general public about what a refugee status means in order to promote a better understanding of exiled people.
To facilitate integration, they also discussed the need to:
Invite refugees to participate in the various social and political activities organized by their new town.
Find solutions to mobility issues: Some associations offer to teach refugees how to drive and they organize language lessons focusing on the written part of the French driving test. Moreover, some citizens volunteer to organize carpooling schedules to help newcomers who don’t have access to a car or the right to drive.
Coordinate actions more efficiently between state services, local authorities, services providers, associations working with newcomers and volunteers.
The stakeholders involved in the regional platforms will gather on one more occasion in 2022. You can find more information on the activities in Saône-et-Loire on the regional webpage.