Migrants for Migrants : Using the buddy system to foster integration of asylum seekers in the society Erasmus Project

Project Title

Migrants for Migrants : Using the buddy system to foster integration of asylum seekers in the society

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Integration of refugees; Inclusion – equity; Migrants’ issues

Project Summary

M4M is focused on fostering the inclusion of asylum seekers in their host society by using the Buddy System.

Trying to settle in an unknown country might prove challenging when facing language barriers, social norms differences or educational gaps preventing access to employment. It has been established that migrants face an unequal access to the society, the city and its services. As they might be seen as a burden that needs to be sorted out and taken apart of the society, they face space relegation, insecurity (J. Le Bars, 2018), marginalization (F. Torres Pérez and M. Monsell Liern, 2018) or even violence (M.Brault, H. Daccord, J. Lenouvel, 2018) that can lead to isolation and a failure in integration.

When it is claimed that it is the responsibility of the States to create and implement integration policies in order to allow the migrants’ economic potential and societal participation, it must be acknowledged that both asylum seekers and host communities also have to be engaged.
When it comes to simple acts leading to autonomy such as how to get around the city in public transportation, where to find public services, to get advice on how to get/do well in a job interview, how to get an internet contract, etc. a hand from a community volunteer is the best fit for the job.

M4M is focused on fostering the inclusion of newly-arrived migrants in their host society. As it is stated in the 2016 EU Action Plan on the integration of third-country nationals: “Developing welcoming, diverse and inclusive societies is a process that needs the engagement both of the third country nationals and of the receiving society.”
Experience shows that it would have benefits on both sides. For newly-arrived migrants, it would help fostering the feeling of being part of the community and the participation in the hosting society. For the host communities, it would help building a welcoming society, increase acceptance and a better integration of migrants in the work force, which is a core EU priority defined in the Europe 2020 Strategy.
This project intent is to promote the inclusion of migrants in their host communities by facilitating their empowerment and by creating links and sustainable contacts between refugee associations, social services, local administrations and volunteer associations. The project targets newly-arrived migrants in the process of settling in a new host country and Integration Services Professionals.

As “the innovative use of technology, social media and the internet needs to be harnessed at all stages of the integration process” (EU Action Plan on the integration of third-country nationals, 2016), the project aims to create a course curricula including e-learning capsules available for Integration Services Professionals, educational staff, community mentors, volunteers who work on newly-arrived migrants’ integration.

Project Website

https://www.migrants4migrants.eu/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 375853 Eur

Project Coordinator

AFEJI & Country: FR

Project Partners

• ASSOCIATION REGIONALE DU TRAVAIL SOCIAL HAUTS DE FRANCE (A.R.T.S)
• Asociatia Profesionala Neguvernamentala de Asistenta Sociala ASSOC
• SAN GIUSEPPE ONLUS
• VEREIN MULTIKULTURELL
• KENTRO MERIMNAS OIKOGENEIAS KAI PAIDIOU
• APROXIMAR- COOPERATIVA DE SOLIDARIEDADE SOCIAL, CRL
• Compass – Beratung, Begleitung und Training Gemeinnützige GmbH