P. 24 P. 05 INTRODUCTION PLURALPS Throughout 2020, we celebrated 30 years of Interreg and cooperation in all Therefore, medium to long-term integration needs are to be supported through Enhancing Capacities for a Pluralistic Alpine Space its shapes. As the second pillar of the Cohesion policy, European Territorial the European Social Fund+ and the European Regional Development Fund Cooperation is at the heart of the European spirit because it encourages regions – also throughout Interreg Programmes – by means of actions focussing on INDEX P. 06 P. 26 ARC vocational training, education, housing, just to mention a few. Active Refugees in the Community REGI and countries to tackle challenges they can solve only by working together. Reacting to Growing Immigration Several activities throughout 2020 provided the opportunity to demonstrate the It becomes clear that partnership and cooperation with our neighbours and P. 08 achievements so far, but also the chance to focus on the future of cooperation third countries plays a key role, being an essential component of the European ARRIVAL REGIONS P. 28 SEE ME IN policy beyond 2020 as we enter a crucial phase to shape the future of the Union’s migration and asylum policy. programming period. P. 10 BEGIN The present publication follows the desk research analysis that Interact Boost Environmental Guardianship for Inclusion P. 30 SlforREF It is time to rethink and breathe new life into what we consider a fundamental published in June 2016 and November 2019 in the framework of its Thematic Integrating Refugees in Society and the Labour Market Through value in the : cooperation between people, regions and countries 1 Social Innovation Network “Interreg response to migration-related challenges” . P. 12 close to us. DRIM The aim of this publication is to offer an overview and evidence of Interreg Danube Region Information Platform for Economic Integration of P. 32 Migrants SIREE At a time when the European Union is facing a lot of changes, when political Social Integration of Refugees through Education and Self contribution to migration-related challenges through the stories of 18 symbolic Employment dialogue often questions its function, when new European leaders and new and outstanding projects financed by Interreg. P. 14 EUMINT priorities are emerging, Interreg has been acting for 30 years to leave no one , Migration and Integration P. 34 TELL ME ABOUT IT behind and to build brick by brick. No. of projects financed over the last three programming periods. Following the refugee crisis of 2015 and 2016, the EU financial support provided 2000 - 2006 P. 16 2007 - 2013 2014 - 2020 FEM to member states under pressure proved to be essential. It ensured an effective Interreg A 9 22 11 Female Estonian Migrant P. 36 URBAN DIVERSITY EU response by developing search and rescue capacities, increasing reception 8 4 7 capacity and step up returns. Interreg B P. 18 MINPLUS P. 38 WOHEALTH In this regard, the EU has allocated for the management of migration and asylum Interreg C 4 4 0 Empowering Immigrant Women in Supporting Their Family’s Health and Wellbeing – under the Asylum and Migration Fund – a budget of EUR 11.3 billion for the IPA CBC 4 2 0 P. 20 MINTEGRATION next programming period, compared to EUR 7.3 billion for the current 2014-2020. Migration and Integration in the Bavarian-Czech Region ENPI CBC 2 2 0 P. 40 YOUMIG The Asylum and Migration Fund, as in the past, supports the very early integration Youth Migration Total 27 34 18 P. 22 PAIONAS of migrants and asylum applicants. But it is well known – not only by academia but especially by practitioners – that integration is a long-term process. P. 42 CREDITS & https://www.interact-eu.net/networks#2584-Migration ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1.

Total ARC EUROPEAN UNION Active Refugees in the Community

“The Urban Farmer Area Certificate was a huge • Finland - Pirkanmaa motivational factor for • Sweden - Östra Mellansverige immigrants to take part Budget in the project activities.” Total Budget: 169 956 € Project webpage Project on Keep In Hiedanranta, Finland, an urban farming project After all, watching a small seed grow into food is EU Contribution: 127 467 € planted the seeds of greater social integration, all the more joyful when the experience is shared. bringing local communities and newly-arrived A common barrier for refugees in a new country Partners 4 refugees together to grow, prepare and share is the lack of formal certificates to enable them food. The former 19th century vegetable garden to seek employment, and in turn become part at Lielahti Manor was transformed into an ‘edible • Tampere Region Martat (Lead partner), FI of the local community. Inspired by the Swedish • Tampere Region Design Association Modus, FI park’, including eight greenhouses built from • ISSS Resilience Centre, SE partner’s strategy, ARC devised the Urban Farmer • Institute of Swedish Safety & Security, SE recycled materials. Certificate in response to this challenge, which The project organised 86 events, attended by a allowed volunteers’ skills and hard work to be total of 941 people; including 506 from immigrant formally recognised. communities. To overcome language barriers, Since the project closed, the City of Tampere video tutorials and an online vocabulary test Social Department has guided its clients to were created and are still being used in the the garden’s activities, and the community has garden’s activities. A WhatsApp group connected continued to organise gardening evenings through volunteers working on partner growing projects in involved areas the summer months — demonstrating that you can neighbouring countries; participants found unity still harvest the fruits of your collaborative labour through sharing advice, photographs and updates long after a project is over. from the gardens.

P. 06 P. 07 ARRIVAL REGIONS

“In-migration of non- EU nationals, especially of refugees and asylum Area • Germany - Leipzig, Sachsen-Anhalt • Czech Republic - Jihozápad seekers, is frequently Most international migrants leave rural areas Next up is the creation of a toolkit of successful • - Zahodna Slovenija, Vzhodna Slovenija for cities – a trend that Arrival Regions seeks to strategies and measures – currently being tested • Poland - Łódzkie, Zachodniopomorskie framed as a “problem”... counteract. Instead, this project is working with • Italy - Piemonte in pilot initiatives. Joint study trips across Europe • Croatia - Kontinentalna Hrvatska we want to contribute to rural regions in need of revitalisation, guided have also been fruitful, with mutual learning by the conviction that non-EU migrants are in and cooperation with stakeholders within and a change of perspective fact essential to kick-starting declining local beyond Central Europe. Building relationships with Budget economies. stakeholders has also led to valuable cooperation by highlighting the Total Budget: 2 204 872 € Based in Leipzig, Germany, the project involves between local partners previously unaware of involved areas EU Contribution: 1 811 190 € benefits of migration to 13 partners working across ‘new immigration each other. Because migration is a very sensitive declining rural regions.” destination’ regions in Italy, Croatia, Czechia, topic, the pilots are specially designed to give Slovenia, Germany and Poland. It aims to make partners flexibility to address specific local Partners 13 Project webpage Project on Keep them more attractive to migrants who can fill needs and challenges, across different groups of • Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (Lead partner), DE vacancies in labour markets often left open by migrants — from unaccompanied minors to labour • Westpomeranian Region, PL migrants. • Lodzkie Region, PL ageing rural populations. • Municipality of , SI • Burgenland district, DE The first step has been completed: the This is done through collaboration with local • Center Rotunda, Koper, SI stakeholders, NGOs, public administrations and • Information legal centre, HR Transnational Strategy is an invaluable framework • University of Szczecin, PL to guide project partners in their day-to-day local businesses. All being well, this vital project • National Union of Mountain Municipalities and Mountain Communities – UNCEM Piemonte, IT work. It offers socially innovative solutions for will re-energise rural regions. The goal is making • Mountain Union of Mongia e Cevetta Valley Langa Cebana Alta these areas more welcoming to newcomers, Valle Bormida, IT the integration of non-EU nationals, whether in • University of West Bohemia, CZ Piemonte, Italy or the Plzeň region in Czechia. resulting in smoother integration of migrants keen • LAG Escartons and Waldensians Valleys, IT to make these rural locations home – for good. • City of Osijek, HR P. 08 P. 09 BEGIN Area Boost Environmental Guardianship for Inclusion • Italy - Emilia Romagna, Puglia, Sicilia • Slovenia - Zahodna Slovenija • Croatia - Jadranska Hrvatska • Bosnia Herzegovina - Moravica • Serbia - Šumadija and Western Serbia • Montenegro - Herceg Novi “Social enterprises, in Imagine the possibility of a workplace that is Together, project partners have shared Budget Partners 9 their various forms, genuinely diverse. A workplace in which employees knowledge about territorial development agencies, municipalities, third-sector bodies, and Total Budget: 1 150 200 € represent an opportunity from migrant or disadvantaged backgrounds • Regional Development Agency of Northern Primorska Ltd. Nova (Lead facilitators specialising in social business models. EU contribution: 926 246 € partner), SI aren’t in the minority. A workplace in which people • Consorzio Emmanuel Società Cooperativa Sociale Onlus, IT for greater inclusion of with disabilities or impairments outnumber • Consorzio Sol.Co. Rete di Imprese Sociali Siciliane, IT As a result, BEGIN has defined clear local • Public company of social services to the person of the Romagna those without. This is what the BEGIN project action plans to support the creation of social Faentina, IT workers with disabilities • City of Labin, HR is working towards. A coalition of partners in economy and social inclusion enterprises. • Municipality of Herceg Novi, ME and from disadvantaged Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, • City of Cacak, RS It is hoped that future projects can build on • City of Gradiska, BA Serbia and Montenegro, BEGIN is supporting the • European Institute for Local Development, GR this work, broadening scope to involve for- backgrounds.” creation of inclusive social enterprises within the profit organisations, too. The ultimate goal? To Project webpage Project on Keep environmental sector. ensure that disabled people and those from In each partner country, at least two social disadvantaged backgrounds feature far more business models have been defined, with the aim prominantly – and feel valued, supported and of a majority ratio of 3:1 workers with disabilities welcome – in our workplaces. to non-disabled workers. involved areas

P. 10 P. 11 DRIM Area Danube Region Information Platform for Economic • Slovenia Integration of Migrants • Croatia Like much of Europe, the Danube region has It is implemented in eight countries across the • Serbia • Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced increased migration and refugee Danube region and has reached two target • Austria groups – migrants and the public institutions • Germany movements in recent years – but it lacked multi- • Slovak Republic level governance support structures to ensure that work with them. The partners worked with • Czech Republic “All partners had an • Hungary migrants’ integration into society. Enter the national and local stakeholders to improve Partners 18 extensive track record DRIM partnership. Its goal? To enhance public local information services via pilot actions, institutions’ capacity to improve fair access to jobs workshops and training. They strived for clear Budget of working on migration and skills for new and existing migrants. communication every step of the way. As Total Budget: 1 522 169 € a result of the project, cooperation among • Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts or broader social 18 cross-sector partners from Slovenia, Austria, EU Contribution: 1 293 843 € Beneficiary(Lead partner), SI Partners: institutions working with migrants improved • Caritas Academy of Diocese Graz-Seckau, AT Croatia, Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, • SPF Group, Ltd., CZ cohesion – which played significantly. • GS gain&sustain OG, AT Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina worked • Employment Service of SI a significant role in the together on trans-national solutions; namely Another success was that high-level decision- • Centre for Peace Studies, HR • Institute of Ethnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, SI providing better access to information for these makers recognised the importance of making • Central Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency, HU project’s successful information straightforward and easy to access. • City of Munich, Department of Labour and Economic Development, new communities. Local Employment and Qualification Policy, DE Most significantly, Danube Compass solved the • Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, RS implementation.” The Danube Compass tool, an information-sharing previous challenge of limited and fragmented platform available in 21 languages, was created to Project webpage Project on Keep information across the region – and has address the unique needs of this trans-national area. since gone on to be adopted outside of the • Office for Human Rights and Rights of National Minorities, AssociatedGovernment of thePartners: Republic of Croatia, HR partnership countries. • Department of Integration of the City of Graz, AT • Commissioner for the Protection of Equality of the Republic of Serbia, RS • The Municipal Authority of Prague-Libuš, CZ могућности • META, o.p.s. – Association for Opportunities of Young Migrants, CZ • Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, SI • Institute for Labour and Family Research, SK lehetőségeketChancen • Agency for Labour and Employment of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BA

příležitosti

P. 12 P. 13 EUMINT Area • Italy - Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige Euroregions, Migration and Integration • Austria - Tirol, Kärnten

Budget

“There’s huge potential to Total Budget: 1 174 728 € Partners 17 replicate eumint’s tools and Working with the Tyrol–South Tyrol–Trentino and The 17 project partners strived to involve EU Contribution: 998 519 € Senza Confini Euroregions, the EUMINT project multi-level institutions in all phases. As such, materials to foster better responds to the regional effects of the European it undertook initial research to interrogate the migration crisis. The project created tools, status quo of integration measures and future • Eurac Research (Lead partner), IT cohabitation within diverse Beneficiary• ZeMiT - Center for Partners: Migrants in Tyrol, AT materials and processes to strengthen cross- perspectives. Partners met with different working • Institute of Geography, University of Innsbruck , AT populations in Europe and • EGTC - Euroregio Without , IT, AT border cooperation, focussing on civic and labour groups, migration experts, social sector workers • Regio Wipptal, AT beyond. They would be integration of asylum seekers and refugees, and and interviewed asylum seekers, refugees and • ARLeF - Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia , IT wider social cohesion. associated actors to inform the project framework. Administrative Districts of: very useful in societies • Burggrafenamt/Burgraviato, IT, Salten-Schlern/Salto-Sciliar, IT, with asylum seekers and Two important principles guided the project. The The Ideas Lab also contributed useful ideas from Eisacktal/Valle Isarco, IT, Vinschgau/Val Venosta, IT first was bottom-up participatory methodology previous cross-border integration projects. In total, refugees – but also more involving local residents, refugees, asylum seekers EUMINT’s activities reached over 1,000 people and beneficiaries every step of the way. The second – including asylum seekers, refugees and local • Autonomous Province of Bolzano. Department of Social Affairs, IT generally for diverse Associated• Cinformi, IT Partners: was consideration of gender equality at all levels. populations across the six associated Italian and • Autonomous Province of Trento, IT groups with different Austrian regions. • Land of Tyrol, AT EUMINT identified three key areas through which • Municipality of Innsbruck, AT • EGTC - Tyrol - South Tyrol - Trentino , IT language, religious and to achieve integration: institutional cooperation, The project was invited to present at the Project Fair, • Autonomous Province of Bolzano. Department of Education, German civic integration and labour integration. Within Bolzano and was one of five finalists for Regiostars Culture and Integration, IT cultural backgrounds.” • Municipality of Bolzano. Department of Services to the Local Community, each of these three pillars, replicable tools and 2019 in the Combatting Inequalities and Poverty IT Project webpage Project on Keep materials were produced – among them an Ideas category. It was runner-up in the Public Choice Award, Lab forum, an interactive ‘House of Common which recognises Europe’s most innovative regional involved areas Values’ board game and accompanying library of projects, and selected for the Paris Peace Forum supporting materials, and an innovative evaluation 2019. Overall, EUMINT leaves a legacy of innovative check for hard and soft labour skills. learning, toolkits, materials and training for future projects to put to good use.

P. 14 P. 15 FEM Area EUROPEAN UNION • Finland Female Estonian Migrant • Estonia

Budget

Total Budget: 210 144 € “The project results In 2019, almost half of all Estonians registered as Peer counselling techniques enabled EU Contribution: 166 204 € exceeded our living abroad were residing in Finland. However, knowledge-sharing and emotional, practical integration into Finnish society is often difficult, and social support. Data collection, expectations, and as especially for female migrants who can be more communication activities, new walk-in Partners 3 socially and economically vulnerable than the information points in Turku and Helsinki, a FEM progressed we local population. Not enough research existed Facebook community group and a project • Chamber of Estonian Societies in Europe (Lead partner), EE web site also strengthened a sense of • Estonian Center of Southwest Finland, FI learned that there was to understand why this is; so the FEM (Female • The Association of Estonia-Societies in Finland, FI Estonian Migrant) project was created to address community amongst the women, who shared a much bigger picture the knowledge gap and improve integration of advice, experiences and questions about the regarding the issues female Estonian migrants in Finland. relocation process. FEM involved two target groups in project Thanks to the project, Estonian female faced by Estonian activities; Estonian women already living and migrants now have better tools for integrating migrant women.” working in Finland, and Estonian women planning into Finnish society – and they’re able to to move to Finland. Those planning to migrate are make better decisions in advance. FEM also Project webpage Project on Keep often unable to foresee or prepare for associated succeeded in making these challenges more challenges, so activities were designed to ensure widely understood and acknowledged in each those relocating heard first-hand stories to help of the countries, across local government and involved areas them prepare. society. The results are being used in advance of the Global Estonian Program 2021-2030 to Three peer groups were created in Tallinn, Estonia, ensure that the needs of female Estonian migrants and Turku and Helsinki, Finland; both home to feature more prominently on the agenda. large Estonian populations.

P. 16 P. 17 MINPLUS Area • - Canton Ticino • Italy - Piemonte Region Budget Knowledge shared from previous European projects MinPlus, which is still ongoing and involves six partners, is promoting positive relations between “We are very proud to was the catalyst for MinPlus, which seeks to develop Total Budget: 867 298 € a welfare system governance model across the Italian local communities and migrant foreigners through EU Contribution: 552 739 € have followed a model and Swiss cross-border region. The project focuses on public communication. It is also using awareness- Partners 6 the unique situations arising from mass migration into raising initiatives that encourage a sense of that’s both academic communities in Piemonte and Ticino. These are small common feeling within the host communities. • Cantone Ticino - Dipartimento dell’educazione, della cultura e dello sport (Ticino) (Lead partner), CH and pragmatic in mountain areas, which have a strong sense of social This has involved photographic exhibitions, videos • Consorzio Intercomunale Servizi Sociali Ossola - Domodossola (VCO), IT control on a community level, and which can experience sharing the stories of second and third-generation • Integra società cooperativa sociale - (Novara), IT its research, case racial tensions and a fear of the ‘other’. • Centro di ricerca e documentazione Luigi Einaudi - (Torino), IT migrants, targetted working with decision makers • Regione Piemonte - DG Coesione sociale (Torino), IT and stakeholders, webinars for local media and • Formazione inserimento lavorativo orientamento servizi società collection, co-design and These factors have especially created difficulties for cooperativa - (Novara), IT older unaccompanied foreign minors who are on research papers. A report, titled “The Governance of communication.” the cusp of adulthood. It’s hoped that a cross-border Reception of Asylum Seekers and Unaccompanied Foreign Minors -– Good Practices From the Canton Project webpage Project on Keep structure of governance can solve these common challenges, through pragmatism and research informed Ticino to Piemonte” is also a key part of this by European success stories. communication toolkit. involved areas Projects of this kind are an opportunity to reflect on the wide-ranging issues that arise from creating totally new models. It’s also a chance to move away from the self-referential thinking that can exist within organisations. So far, MinPlus has successfully dedicated time and space to the larger questions that have cropped up along the way, despite the limiting consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

P. 18 P. 19 Sure, it may sound obvious, but networking and MINTEGRATION productive cross-border communication so often Migration and Integration in the Bavarian-Czech Border leads to incredible lightbulb moments. That was Region the case for the Migration and Integration in the Bavarian-Czech Border Region project, which concluded in 2020. Rather than working in “The project led isolation, partners realised what could be achieved Local networks were established too, notably with when they talked to each other. This led to new the city of Weiden in der Oberpfalz. In collaboration partners to deepen conversations about migrant integration between with Diakonie Weiden, strategies to tackle local Area cross-border and interregional institutions, the problems were developed with partners across • Czech Republic - Jihozápad (Southwest), Severozápad (Northwest) their research public sector and NGOs. The project encouraged • Germany - Niederbayern (Lower Bavaria), Oberpfalz (Upper economy, administration, government, education Palatinate), Oberfranken (Upper Franconia) into international vertical networking, offering meeting spaces for and volunteering. national and regional institutions to collectively migration and solve common challenges. The project also held The wealth of shared expertise gathered Budget even motivated fruitful networking workshops for the likes of Upper throughout this project was put to good use when Franconia’s police force and the Refugee Facilities partners established the new Migration and Total Budget: 495 920 € the creation of a Administration of the Ministry of the Interior, Czech Integration Research Centre at the University of EU Contribution: 421 532 € Republic (RFA MOI). This led to mutual visits to West Bohemia. The centre is offering valuable specialised institute.” migrant-related facilities and activities on both workshops to institutions including the Czech Partners 2 Republic prison service, and RFA MOI, all in the Project webpage Project on Keep sides of the border. spirit of interdisciplinary and interdepartmental • University of West Bohemia (Lead partner), CZ cooperation. The University of West Bohemia has • University of Bayreuth, DE since become a project partner in another Interreg project, Arrival Regions, ensuring that yet more great work will continue.

involved areas

P. 20 P. 21 PAIONAS Area • Greece - North Aegean, South Aegean • Cyprus In Greek mythology Paieon was the physician of the Gods – known for his ability to bring relief through healing. The Paionas project pays homage to this idea, Budget through its name and its actions. Led by the Special “For Greece, it’s Meanwhile in Kokkinotrimithia, Cyprus, the capacity Total Budget: 3 450 466 € Service of European Union Structural Funds for the 3 of the temporary refugee host area was increased EU Contribution: 2 932 896 € Partners Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy in Greece, anticipated that more to accommodate more people. Creating suitable, partnering with Cyprus Civil Defence and the National • Special Service of European Union Structural Funds for the welcoming conditions in accordance with the effective incident Emergency Center (Greece), Paionas set out to better Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy (Lead partner), GR European Directive was the priority. Existing facilities • Cyprus Civil Defence, CY confront the humanitarian refugee crisis taking place in • National Emergency Center, GR handling will occur were improved and new spaces were created – Greece and Cyprus – and invest in its infrastructure. both at sea and on including a kitchen, dining room, laundry room, In Greece, this involved supplying a new fleet of pick- warehouse, administration office, sanitary spaces, land, while in Cyprus, up trucks to better assist refugees arriving onto craggy worship sites and a playground. coastlines, boats specially designed for medical This has led to improved conditions for those the improvement of equipment and assistance, and the recruitment of passing through the host area at a personally ambulance crew members. the temporary refugee traumatic time. Together the partners worked to improve the countries’ migrant crisis toolkits, host area will ensure resulting in stronger cooperation between Greece greater flexibility to and Cyprus as they continue to efficiently tackle this accommodate people who humanitarian disaster. involved areas need protection.” Project webpage Project on Keep

P. 22 P. 23 PLURALPS Area For many Europeans, the sight of Syrian refugees • Styria Enhancing Capacities for a Pluralistic fleeing the war left an unshakeable impression. In the • Upper Bavaria Alpine Space • Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen, Alpine region, the Regional Development Vorarlberg • Piedmont Region • Autonomous Province of Trento and like-minded organisations believed that concerted • Western Slovenia regional efforts were needed to ensure the successful Seven pilot cities developed action plans to • Rhône-Alpes Region • Central Switzerland “We should not integration of these migrant communities. improve social and economic integration of immigrants in Les Belleville and Guillestre, As such, the PlurAlps project was born as a Budget Partners 10 underestimate the France; Sattel, Switzerland; Ruggell, ; consortium of partners united in purpose across the Gaschurn, Austria; Aschau im Chiemgau, Germany, Total Budget: 2 429 998 € power of inspiration. Alpine Space. With an ageing population and the need • Auvergne Rhone-Alps Region, FR and Budoia, Italy. Pilotted services included regular EU Contribution: 2 065 498 € • CIPRA International Lab GmbH, AT Regions often compare for social innovation, these regions saw migration • Community Network Alliance in the Alps, DE welcome events and information delivery for • European Academy of Bolzano, IT as an opportunity for positive change, rather than a themselves to other newcomers, intercultural mediators on issues like • Franco Demarchi Foundation, IT source of fear and conflict. • Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, CH jobs and housing, local and migrant volunteers • Piemonte Region, IT regions and don’t want • Regional Development Agency Upper Styria East GmbH, AT There were three objectives: first, improve strategies to support integration, and language training for • Regional Development Vorarlberg eGen (Lead partner), AT to fall behind. Therefore, and practices for social planning and the integration of women; with provisions for child care. The action • Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, SI transnational cooperation migrants; second, improve multi-level, multi-actor and plans led to concrete changes and improvements cross-sector cooperation and third, increase public on a municipal level, and improved access to within Interreg projects awareness to ensure bottom-up policies. services. They demonstrated that integration like PlurAlps stimulates issues can – and should – be tackled at local government level, where they can be consciously conversations and designed to bring local partners together. ideas-sharing between Other outcomes included the Alpine Cooperation regions.” Potential report, the Social Planning Instrument, the PlurAlps white paper, the creation of the Alpine Project webpage Project on Keep involved areas Pluralism Award, and the PlurAlps innovation toolbox, which summarises the pilots’ key lessons for easy replication. Thanks to PlurAlps, these local communities are actively engaging in diversity and seeking bespoke solutions to local needs and challenges.

P. 24 P. 25 REGI EUROPEAN UNION Reacting to Growing Immigration

Work-related migration can come with or tools to support such families. This is where “Close cooperation considerable challenges for family units; an issue REGI came in, encouraging collaboration between between Estonia that the REGI project aimed to tackle in Estonia public officials, NGOs and education institutes Area and Finland. When the project was planned in across the two countries. Heivi Mäekivi, a • Finland - Etelä-Suomi and Finland’s social 2015, 48,000 Estonians were living permanently psychologist who trained Estonian social workers • Estonia - Eesti authorities was vital in in Finland, with as many as 17,000 additional and teachers, stressed that an ideal community undocumented work migrants, according to the provides support to its resident families when they Budget tackling the issues that Estonian Embassy in Finland. But for families in face challenges. REGI sought to create such an which one or both parents are working in Finland environment of associated parties ready to step in Total Budget: 252 249 € work-related migrants while their children (and potentially one parent) and help. EU Contribution: 194 765 € continue living in Estonia, this situation can be and their families face.” The project aimed for a more comprehensive and untenable. It can lead to emotional distancing, 4 visible understanding of work-related migration Partners Project webpage Project on Keep family breakdowns, social exclusion, negative challenges, and new methods to reach and impacts on education, and wider discord within • Turku University of Applied Sciences (Lead partner), FI support these communities. As a result, Estonian • Tallinn University Rakvere College, EE communities. • Estonian Center of Southwest Finland, FI migrants and their families gained a wider support • Baltic Region Healthy Cities Association, FI While these challenges have been visible on an network in both countries, increased peer-to-peer anecdotal level for years, they weren’t sufficiently support and better access to services. It led to addressed by either country. As such, teachers, overall improved wellbeing of Estonian migrants Children E-book social workers and the professionals in Estonia and their families, and a greater commitment and Finland didn’t have the proper knowledge to the societies they were living in. A book was involved areas also created for migrant children, which was a wonderful tool for communicating these personal issues within families.

P. 26 P. 27 SEE ME IN Area • Italy - Regione Lombardia • Slovenia - Zahodna Slovenija and Vzhodna Slovenija • Croatia - Kontinentalna Hrvatska • Hungary - Közép-Magyarország and Nyugat-Dunántúl • Germany - Freiburg Migrant entrepreneurs are crucial to the rich tapestry Next, the 10 partners, which represent cities across “Thanks to of a city – but they often face cultural, legislative and Northern Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia and parts language barriers when trying to get their business of Germany, put their heads together to evaluate Budget co-developed off the ground. The SEE ME IN project was created to the needs of enterprises and check that existing improve the support offered to migrant businesses in activities and reciprocal tools adequately support immigrant businesses. Total Budget: 2 126 052 € central European cities. Whether it’s a falafel seller, a A transnational framework was then created with EU Contribution: 1 751 142 € exchange between migrant beachwear designer or a talented leatherworker, the tailored guidelines and actions according to the needs and existing businesses, aim is for these entrepreneurs to have the tools they of different sectors and regions. Italy and Hungary, for need to fulfill their potential. Such business owners example, currently have large numbers of migrant-run Partners 10 the socio-cultural gap within enrich the market with innovation, creativity and the businesses, while Slovenia and Croatia have less. creation of new jobs, so they deserve to be properly • Fondazione Politecnico di Milano (Lead partner), IT One of the most important elements of this work has • Association Social Economy Slovenia – social company, SI central European cities and supported, and visible in local open markets, high • ACT Group, HR been building networks between public authorities • Municipality of Nova Gorica, SI streets and internationally, too. • Municipality of Milan, IT regions will narrow.” and stakeholders. This has allowed them to improve • Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry, HU • Aiforia GmbH, DE An important first step was defining the target their ability to prioritize migrant-focused policy and • Cooperative Group CGM, IT Project webpage Project on Keep • School of Advanced Social Studies in Nova Gorica, SI demographic, which in this case is non-EU natives strategy within business. A modular, easy-to-use • West Pannon Regional and Economic Development Public Non-Profit Ltd., HU with the right to live in a EU country, and who either platform will be built to deliver support, marketing involved areas already run a business in the food, fashion or craft and communication tools, as well as management sectors, or are trying to do so. training. This will update previous services that failed to serve migrant-run businesses. SEE ME IN, which is still in progress and funded under Interreg Central Europe Programme, will offer a joined-up approach, allowing metropolitan cities to properly support a new generation of talented entrepreneurs.

P. 28 P. 29 SlforREF Area Integrating Refugees in Society and the Labour Market • Italy - Veneto, Emilia-Romagna through Social Innovation • Austria - Vienna • Slovenia - Zahodna Slovenia • Germany - Berlin

During the peak of Europe’s refugee crisis, SIforREF The regions covered by the project are across the “We are proud of was founded on the urgent desire to create a new, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna, Italy; Vienna, Austria; Budget Western Slovenia; and Berlin, Germany. Sharing 9 inclusive mindset towards refugees. Its mission? To Total Budget: 2 2213 206 € Partners introducing social best practice and creating strong connections create inclusive cities, where integration is part of policy EU Contribution: 1 788 503 € innovation into the makers’ agenda – rather than an afterthought. between the project partners has significantly • Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Lead partner), IT benefitted the ability to deal with the same issues • University of Vienna, AT This came from the nine project partners’ belief that • Public Company for Personal Services – ASP City of Bologna, IT discourse around the across regions. • ISI-eV Initiative for Self-Employment of Immigrant Women, DE not only refugees, but all European citizens stand to • Gmajna Cultural Association, SI • Municipality of Parma, IT integration of refugees, benefit from a more inclusive environment. It was also Although there have been challenges – namely the • Caritas Vienna, AT felt that existing regional and local official policies failed Covid-19 pandemic and the complexity of navigating • Berlin University of Technology, DE because it is poorly • Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Science and Arts, SI to properly address the smooth transition of refugees hostile government policies - cooperation and addressed by within their new communities. mutual learning has so far made it all possible. official policies.”

Project webpage Project on Keep

involved areas

P. 30 P. 31 SIREE Area Social Integration of Refugees through Education and Self • Belgium Employment • France - Nord-Pas-de-Calais • UK - East, South and Southwest of England • Netherlands - West Netherlands “The teachers are now In 2015, 1million refugees and migrants arrived Activities included teaching young people about on European shores, with some 3,735 people self-reflection, inviting parents to share recipes Budget more accessible; [before] missing and believed to have drowned or died from different countries, and celebrating diversity. en route. This significant migration rise led to One parent noted that the activities made the Total Budget: 4 880 801 € it was a bit difficult to widespread media attention on the refugee teachers more accessible, and the children liked EU Contribution: 2 928 480 € crisis. In response, SIREE (Social and Economic to see their parents at school. talk to them… I also Integration of Refugees through Education Together with the online toolbox, these 9 and Self Employment) planned to highlight the Partners notice that more parents experiences will provide educational professionals benefits that migrants contribute to society. It with a clear vision and practical guide for social • University of Greenwich (Lead partner), UK are present at the focussed on the value that a family unit brings • Huis van het Leren, BE and educational integration for newcomers. • ARhus (vzw Het Portaal), BE when it’s better integrated into educational and • Muncipality Middelburg, NL school’s activities.” The work within entrepreneurship saw over 100 • Association pour le Développement des Initiatives Citoyennes et entrepreneurial systems within their new home Européennes (ADICE), FR Nadia Zeroual, countries. ‘Co-creation’ was also essential in this individuals create action plans to develop and • City of Mechelen, BE • University College Roosevelt, NL project – ensuring that actions were designed in test their business ideas. Over 10 new businesses • Medway Plus, UK a parent at the collaboration with the refugees and migrants they were started, which SIREE will continue to support • Vives Zuid, BE AbeelProject webpage LearningProject Community on Keep in Belgium. would impact. until the end of the project. A website designed to teach newcomers about starting a business was Although the Covid-19 pandemic forced the created in three languages and has been used by postponement of some activity, much had already over 350 people. involved areas been achieved. In education, 46 ‘Learning Communities’ were set up to create an inclusive The learnings and successes of this project, which educational environment, with 340 meetings so far. were all down to partner collaboration, will be turned into an e-book and dissemination guides to help organisations to replicate and understand tools for social integration.

P. 32 P. 33 TELL ME ABOUT IT EUROPEAN UNION

“The participants reported that they Area • Finland - South-Eastern enjoyed the workshops • Sweden - Uppsala and wanted more Budget of them because they When two communities find themselves facing Through research methods and drama-based the same challenges, and they’re both seeking lessons designed to improve their language Total Budget: 266 567 € could see themselves a common goal, it makes sense to collaborate. learning, participants were encouraged to share EU Contribution: 199 925 € learning new things.” That’s what led Xamk (South-Eastern Finland their experiences and stories with the others. In University of Applied Sciences), Uppsala Finland, these sharing activities empowered and Partners 2 Project webpage Project on Keep Folkuniversitetet, Sweden and Ekami (Etelä- united the participants, especially because many Kymenlaakso Vocational College), Finland to work of them heard similar stories from one another. • South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Lead partner), FI together. Meanwhile in Sweden, participants reported that • Folkuniversitetet stiftelsen kursverksamheten vid Uppsala universitet, SE Both countries shared similarities in the immigrant they enjoyed the workshops and would like to have situation since the 2015 refugee crisis. Their more because they could see themselves learning common goal? Social inclusion, by enabling new things. One of the activities in Sweden involved immigrant communities greater agency in their a ‘human rights game’ which enabled discussion new adopted homes, and to grow their self-esteem and development of new approaches to social as citizens. Both of the organisations wanted inclusion. to amplify the voices of immigrant youth, and The Tell Me About It project results will be fed let these newly-arrived communities share their into immigrant integration practices locally and involved areas stories with local people. nationwide in both Finland and Sweden. Happily, there are plans to extend the project outcomes in the next programming period, which will be outlined in early 2021. P. 34 P. 35 URBAN DIVERSITY Area • Austria - Styria • Slovenia - Western Slovenia

Budget In 2016, project partners in , Slovenia and The project successfully educated Ljubljana and Graz city officials on issues relating to migrant Graz, Austria began discussing how to meet the needs Total Budget: 839 934 € “We’re proud of entrepreneurship. It also created pitching of new migrant communities arriving in each city. EU Contribution: 713 944 € opportunities in co-working spaces, creative our network of Migrant entrepreneurship and creativity were identified Partners 4 as two key areas for better supporting integration – and ‘vouchers’ to facilitate young migrants developing people – they so with the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy business ideas, diversity study tours, and facilitated involvement of target communities in Design Month • Znanstveno raziskovalni center Slovenske akademije znanosti in continue to create of Sciences and Arts as lead partner, the Urban umetnosti (Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts) (Lead partner), ZRC SAZU, SI Diversity project got to work. events. It also launched multiple initiatives for • Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region, SI new opportunities • Abteilung für Wirtschafts- und Tourismusentwicklung der Stadt Graz The project established a network of educational, migrant and non-migrant entrepreneurs within the (The Department for Development of Economy and Tourism of the City publicly prominent spaces of Trubarjeva Street, of Graz), AWTSG, AT for migrants within municipal, research and regional institutions to • Land Steiermark, Abteilung 10, Bildungshaus Schloss St. Martin, AT society and the work with local NGOs and grassroots movements to Ljubljana and Griesplatz, Graz. open up local spaces and opportunities to migrant Consistent attendance of migrant entrepreneurs labour market – entrepreneurs. Co-working spaces, technology parks, and families on creative workshops at Schloss St. creative, educational and research institutes, galleries, Martin, Graz, was recorded, while guidelines to help even after the end streets, parks and municipal halls became important entrepreneurs open and conduct business offered of the project.” sites for established migrant entrepreneurs, and invaluable support. asylum seekers and refugees who wanted to explore Overall, stakeholders responsible for the inclusion Project webpage Project on Keep starting a business. and support of migrant entrepreneurship gained knowledge and developed strong collaboration involved areas between the cities. With an increased presence of migrant entrepreneurs in the city hubs, and established relationships between partners long after the close of the project, there is plenty of scope for future work together.

P. 36 P. 37 WOHEALTH EUROPEAN UNION Empowering Immigrant Women in Supporting Their Family’s Health and Wellbeing

Migrants communicating with healthcare In Finland, partners are working with local migrant professionals in their adopted country can face women who have lived in their adopted country for “The project is ongoing, all sorts of challenges; from language barriers to many years, to create a peer support system for but we are happy that cultural differences. WOHEALTH, a partnership newer arrivals to the country. The scheme pairs between Turku University of Applied Sciences, volunteers from migrant backgrounds with newly- Area • Finland - Etelä-Suomi groups of immigrant Finland, and Flyktingmedicinskt Centrum, Sweden, arrived women with similar needs and backgrounds. • Sweden - Östra Mellansverige women have had a seeks to resolve these barriers, which commonly Meanwhile in Sweden, a multicultural health advisor affect migrant women using healthcare services for undertaking WOHEALTH’s training programme will Budget chance to participate in themselves or their families. be equipped with the proper tools to help immigrant empowering, informative WOHEALTH is striving to increase health and women within the healthcare system by taking care of Total Budget: 265 833 € EU Contribution: 199 375 € workshops and study wellbeing standards for these communities through their wellbeing. the development of a training programme and easy- Turku University of Applied Sciences’s history groups.” to-read health communication materials. of working with multicultural communities, and Partners 2 Sweden’s advanced practice working with women • Turku University of Applied Sciences (Lead partner), FI Project on Keep and families from migrant communities formed • Region Östergötland,Flyktingmedicinskt centrum, SE the basis of the partnership. Because of its vast experience integrating immigrant women into society, Sateenkaarikoto, a Turku-based NGO, was also informally involved. Although the project is still in progress – it is due to finish in spring 2021 – early signs show that immigrant women who have participated in workshops and study groups enjoyed and benefited involved areas from the experience, while their feedback has been useful to the direction of the project itself.

P. 38 P. 39 YOUMIG Area • Austria - Styria state Youth Migration • Bulgaria - Southeastern planning region • Germany - Karlsruhe government region • Hungary - Csongrád-Csanád county • Romania - Southeastern region • Serbia - Vojvodina region • Slovakia - Bratislava oblast “Bringing together • Slovenia - Eastern Slovenia macroregion Partners 16 researchers, statisticians Budget • Hungarian Central Statistical Office (Lead partner), HU and local decision-makers • National Statistical Institute of the Republic of Bulgaria, BG Total Budget: 2 574 202 € • University of Vienna, AT • Municipality of Sfantu Gheorghe, RO Migration policy tends to be made at the national Some of the ideas involved a virtual business EU Contribution: 2 311 025 € with diverse perspectives • INFOSTAT - Institute of Informatics and Statistics, SK level. But without localised data about migration incubator in Burgas, a mentoring programme • Development Agency, SI on the same theme made patterns, local authorities are often left in the dark for migrant girls choosing technical careers • Institute for Economic Research, SI • Burgas Municipality, BG about their own situation. These twin challenges in Graz, co-working spaces and programmes • Municipality of the City District of Bratislava- Rača, SK for an overall richer • Municipality of Szeged, HU led to the creation of YOUMIG, a project with boosting creative entrepreneurship in Maribor • Institute for East and Southeast European Studies, DE and Kanjiža, an online platform for returnees • Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, RS cooperation.” 19 partners working across the Danube region • Romanian Institute for Research on National Minorities, RO between 2017-19. The project, which focussed in Sfântu Gheorghe, multicultural training for • City of Graz, AT Project webpage Project on Keep • Institute of Social Sciences, RS on youth migration (ages 15-34) saw statisticians preschool teachers in Szeged, and language • Municipality of Kanjiza, RS and academic organisations analyse how youth courses for migrant communities in Bratislava- migration affects local communities across seven Rača. cities; Burgas, Bulgaria; Graz, Austria; Maribor, By the end of the project, YOUMIG partners Slovenia; Kanjiža, Serbia; Sfântu Gheorghe, had together created well-targeted, high- Romania; Szeged,Hungary; and Bratislava-Rača, quality solutions at a municipal level, as well Slovakia. as invaluable data about local youth migration. Each city was given the chance to test an idea that This spells a bright future for the lives of young, involved areas stakeholders expected to be helpful in managing mobile people in the Danube region, and for the city- youth migration locally. Using The Good Practices level professionals who now have the appropriate Guide, which offered examples of success stories tools to understand and work with them. from elsewhere, YOUMIG partners each designed their pilot action.

P. 40 P. 41 CREDITS & EDITORIAL TEAM CONTACT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Editorial team: Interact Office Viborg Besiana Ninka, Ivano Magazzu and Guillaume Terrien, with Toldboden 3, st. E. the contribution of Stevie Mackenzie-Smith. DK – 8800 Viborg We would like to thank all the Interreg programmes and projects which Publisher: Interact Programme provided us with data, information and illustrations. Your cooperation is Phone: +45 78 41 13 84 Graphic design: email: [email protected] very much appreciated! ThisProjectWorks – www.thisprojectworks.com

PROGRAMMES PROJECTS Interreg Alpine Space: Stefania Amorosi and Clotilde Mahé Youmig: Marcell Kovács and Zoltán Csányi This publication related to the Interact’s Thematic Interreg Central Europe: Chiara Casarella WoHealth project: Sirppa Kinos Network “Interreg response to migration-related Interreg Danube transnational programme TELL project: Sirkka Komulainen challenges” is financed by European Regional Interreg Adrion Urban Diversity project: Jure Gombac Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interact Programme 2014-2020. Interreg Italy – Austria: Lisa Stuefer and Petra Hedwig Amalia Caldonazzi SIREE project: Elaine King Interreg 2 Seas: Céline Van Den Abeele SiforREF project: Pamela Pasian Interreg Italy – Switzerland: Elena Romanelli See me in: Maria Cristina Collini Interreg Slovenia – Austria REGI project: Kaisa Jokela and Anita Narbro Interreg Finland - Estonia - Latvia - Sweden (Central Baltic): Tiina PlurAlps project: Robert Moosbrugger and Aurelia Ullrich-Schneider Keinänen Paionas project: Ioannis Apostolopoulos, Lt Cdr HCG Andreas Lykoudis Interreg Germany/Bavaria - Czech Republic MinPlus Project: Elena Romanelli and Massimo dell’Oro Interreg Greece – Cyprus: Vaya Tsiagande Mintegration: Mgr. Jan Pěchota FEM: Liia Urman EUMINT: Anna-Kira Pirhofer, MSc, Roberta Madda, Zeqo Erjon and Laura COPYRIGHT / DISCLAIMER Dellagiacoma Unless otherwise stated, the copyright of material published in this publication is owned by the Interact Programme. You are permitted to print or download extracts from this material for your personal use. DRIM: Nataša Rogelja and Martina Bofulin This material can be used for public use, provided the source is acknowledged. None of this material may be used for any commercial purposes. BEGIN: Jasmina Nikic and Greti Manfreda The information and views set out in the Interact publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect institutional opinions. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this lies entirely with the authors. Arrival region: Tim Leibert The copyright of the pictures stays on the Programmes/Projects rights according to each specific subsidy contract, unless stated differently. Interact is ARC project: Heidi Ovaska not responsible for any infringement, if not previously authorised by the author/Programme/Project.

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