Share projects: Quality Sponsorship Network (QSN) Plus

Building on the success of the Share QSN project, QSN Plus aims to further improve the integration of refugees in Europe by strengthening and expanding community sponsorship (CS) programmes.


March 2024-August 2026

This project works within the framework of European resettlement and complementary pathways (CPs) to create a more cohesive approach to supporting refugees.

Co-funded by the European Union and coordinated by ICMC Europe, QSN Plus brings together a consortium of actors running community sponsorship programs in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy and Spain.

Objectives

Expand and Diversify Sponsorship: engage a wider range of actors in refugee sponsorship, including diaspora groups, refugees themselves, employers, housing associations, and students. This will expand programs geographically, reaching rural areas.

Enhance Sponsorship Quality: improve the quality of support offered by sponsors through updated training materials and toolkits adapted to local needs. Training will be delivered through a mix of in-person and online sessions.

Strengthen Coordination: establish stronger connections between community sponsorship and other refugee support programs at local, regional, national, and European levels. This will lead to more consistent and effective policies and practices.

QSN Plus community actions

  • Creation of platforms for dialogue and collaboration between actors involved in community sponsorship, resettlement, and other complementary pathways. This will help to develop more coordinated and sustainable approaches.

  • Sponsorship groups will receive training on best practices for supporting refugees, with a focus on addressing the needs arising from recent emergencies. Training materials will be adapted and translated to meet local needs.

  • Develop targeted strategies to engage new sponsor groups, working closely with local communities and refugee organizations.

  • Ongoing evaluation and assessment of sponsorship programmes, including refugee feedback sessions.

  • Activities with supporting organisations, grassroots sponsors, local authorities and refugees that build leadership and inspire both new and experienced actors to get involved.

  • Creating space to hear the testimonials and stories from the participants on both sides of the experience

  • The European Sponsorship Ceremony gathers grassroots stakeholders from across Europe to celebrate the unique contributions of local communities, volunteers, and refugees and bring the voices of those directly involved in sponsorship to the EU policy level.

  • Organization of transnational roundtables and study visits to share best practices in community sponsorship across Europe. These events will focus on topics such as sponsorship in rural areas, labor market integration, and ethical engagement of refugees.

Share QSN Plus Partnership

QSN Plus Partners

Donors

Publications and reports on Community Sponsorship

Share ‘Sponsorship Stories’

Sponsorship Stories is a series of articles detailing experiences and developments in community-based sponsorship gathered through the Share network. The series, which features sponsors, refugees and grassroots actors involved at a local level, highlights the work and learnings of those currently active in community sponsorship programmes across Europe.

 

Latest stories:

 Latest News and Resources

Want to get involved in community-based sponsorship? We’d love to hear from you!

Anna Coulibaly

Programmes Manager/QSN+ Project Manager