Integration of Social Groups

Communal Action Plan for the Social Integration in the City of Tarnowskie Gory till the year 2015

The document defines the main goals and directions of development of social integration for the City of Tarnowskie Gory till the year 2015.

Communal Strategy of the Integration and Social Policy of the City of Cieszyn for the year 2004 - 2013

The document defines directions of activities of entities responsible for social aid in the premises of the city of Cieszyn in the years 2004 - 2005

Overview of integration policy in France (2002-2005)

In the wake of the address given by the President of the Republic in October 2002, integration policy in France was subjected to a major overhaul with respect to the following principles: a contract-based definition of integration, common law, and challenges like social development, anti-discrimination, and equal opportunity.

Women's employment and local regeneration programmes

The report 'From getting by to getting on', published by Renew Northwest, critically explores the effect of regeneration plans on the employment needs of the poorest women in the Northwest of England. Although regeneration programmes often state to be able to create employment, new jobs do not always go to local people. In some deprived wards, women's inactivity rates have even increased between 1991 and 2001, even though these ten years were characterised by considerable job growth. What are the answers? This report presents practical strategies for practitioners and policy makers in order to make it more likely for employment to reduce poverty.  

Outcomes Swedish Presidency's Conference on Integration

Between 14-16 December 2009, the Swedish Presidency organised a conference on integration in Malmö: 'Integration of New Arrivals: Incentives and Work in Focus'. The aim of the conference was to contribute to the exchange of knowledge and experience related to the integration of new arrivals with a particular focus on the importance of incentives for faster entry into the labour market.The conference was targeted at a number of different actors: researchers, politicians, practitioners, representatives of non governmental organisations, as well as employers. Around 200 people participated. The following article summarises the results of this conference. All details can be found on the website of the Swedish Presidency. 

Dialogue: Rotterdam Verkeert

Can discussions between youth workers from different backgrounds counteract the negative image that young people from ethnic minority backgrounds have of homosexuality?

Mensenbieb - A people’s library

The project provides an alternative approach to address prejudice and discrimination, showing that simplicity and humour are excellent tools to address serious subjects.

Contemporary street art

What began at the end of the eighties as drawing on Perron 0 (Platform 0) has grown into Via Kunst: a gallery and studio for street artists in Rotterdam.

Reading Express

Language skills enhancement for immigrant children in Utrecht, TheNetherlands.

Social and employment insertion for people in a situation of exclusion - Pamplona, ES

The goal of the project is to fight against the causes of social exclusion in the city of Pamplona (Spain).

Brussels embraces its expats by providing special masterclasses

Every year, 1500 expats come to Brussels to work for European institutions or international companies. At the moment, there are about 150.000 expats living in the city, who strongly define its outlook and atmosphere. They therefore play an important role in the development of Brussels. From November onwards, newly arrived expats will be able to attend special masterclasses to get to know the city. The Brussels government is providing a 60.000 Euro subsidy to set up this programme, run by the two universities and the Brussels-Europe Liaison Office. Increased knowledge about their city should make expats more committed to the development of Brussels.

Municipal Integration Office as 'One-Stop-Agency’ - Arnsberg, Germany

The Expert group 'Round Table Housing' (1) and the Municipal Integration Office as 'One-Stop-Agency’ (2) are two projects in Arnsmberg, Germany. The goal of the round table (1) is to reduce and prevent ethnic and social segregation, the municipality has installed an expert group that is charged with gathering expertise in the areas of social housing construction, construction and urban planning, as well as in areas like youth, family and immigration. This ‘round table housing’ developed measures and regulations to counteract segregation tendencies. The most important regulation: financial support for social housing is only given for smaller housing units in non-segregated areas. The municipal Office for Integration and Immigration (2) is a ‘One-Stop-Agency’: migrants can address all sorts of affairs, including housing-related matters, to the officers.

Diversity Policy for the staff of the Amsterdam administration

The Amsterdam administration wants its workforce to become a representation of the Amsterdam labour force in terms of gender and ethnic background and therefore needs to employ more women, immigrants and disabled people, especially on higher levels in the administration.

Integration Service (Antwerp Integratiedienst)

The Integration Service was created by the combination of the Reception Office, the Interpreters Service and the Integration Officer. It want to combine the diversity management and the equal opportunity policy. Diversity management is considered as an inclusive task for all city services, with the Integration Service as supporting element. The IS and in particular the IS diversity consultants developed intensive contacts with some other services such as the Urban Poverty Department.

Intercultural summer festival ‘DIES Internationalis’ - Arnsberg, Germany

The DIES Internationalis is the city’s international summer festival. It takes place annually and has become a significant regional event. The focus of the festival lies on offering numerous culinary and cultural highlights. It is organised by the NGO Internationaler Arbeitskreis and the Foreigners’ Council; these are supported by civil initiatives, the migrant organisations, the city of Arnsberg, and the local media.

Ausbildungsorientierte Elternarbeit and the intercultural opening of the city’s offices and companies in Frankfurt

1. The project AOE (‘Ausbildungsorientierte Elternarbeit’) aims to inform migrant parents on the German educational and training system. Thereby, the municipality cooperates with migrant organisations and schools: the municipality trains interested migrants as mediators who conduct workshops and counsel migrants.
2. Within the framework of the European Programme ‘XENOS – Living and working in diversity’, the city organised the project ‘XENOS – Intercultural opening of the city’s offices and companies’ that aims to strengthen the cultural competence of the municipal staff and to increase the number of migrant employees.

Izmir's Karsiyaka Children Training Centre

The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) sustains several training centres which are offering the children during their school-free time mentoring and leisure activities.

Liège's Equality Diversity Label

The Equality Diversity Label has been created in collaboration with theBelgian Regions. Its main objective is to strengthen diversity in the workingplace and to fight against discrimination and stereotypes by creating andimplementing a diversity policy inside the company. It targets any public andprivate sector and association located in Belgium. Since 2006, 15 organisations(companies and cities) have committed in promoting diversity and equality withintheir organisation and in 2007, the Equality Diversity Label has been granted tosome of them and particularly to three cities: Gent and Leuven in Flanders andLiège in Wallonia.

Luxembourg's Bierger-Center Info-Conseils

The Bierger-Center was created in 2001 in order to concentrate and facilitate the adminsitrative steps of the Luxembourgian population. In the Center, a cell called "Info-conseils" has the task to help every person.

Budapest diversity policy

'Diversity' as an elaborated political concept or 'diversity management’ as a concrete implementation of it doesn’t exist yet. Within the municipality’s mission statement ‘diversity’ as a concrete term is still also lacking. As a consequence of this, neither an office/department can be found that would be responsible or deal with ‘diversity’ issues, nor any implemented measures directly concerning that issue. Even on national level, diversity policy isn’t picked out as a central theme yet.

Mataro's Council of Living Together

The Council of Living Together (Consell Municipal per a laConvivencia) has a consultative and advisory funcion and bridges the gap between communities of immigrants and the city's administration. In this manner NGOs that work for immigrants have an impact on policy development and implementation. The best methods of cooperation in reaching the community and organising language courses are discussed for example.

Prague's House of National Minorities

The House of National Minorities is an institution where the 11 officially approved national minorities have office-space for their civic associations. Administratively this institution is under the Center of Social Services which is a municipal department. It is a place of cooperation and meeting of national minorities with one another, within their own community and with the major society. Furthermore, it is a place where civic associations of foreigners can promote their work. It is co-financed by the national minorities, the Advisory Board on National Minorities and the Czech Government. Each minority is represented by two honorary officials.

Stuttgart Pact for Integration

Since the beginning of the new century, the city of Stuttgart has explicitly considered immigration as desirable for the development of the region; the large percentage of people with a migration background has been seen as a benefit and resource for the city as a whole. Hence, the municipal integration policy has been re-orientated towards a resource approach. The target groups of the municipal integration policy are newly arrived migrants, established immigrants as well as the autochthonous population.

Cultural diversity in European cities

Today most people live in cities and larger urban areas - at the global level 50% and at the EU level 80%. In other words, today cities constitute a mix of people, cultural and social life and different important societal functions such as trade, investments, education, knowledge.

European Handbook on Integration

The handbook depicts best practices and offers lessons drawn from practices in Member states on two kinds of integration programmes, namely introduction courses for newly arrived immigrants and recognised refugees and civic participation.

Migrants, minorities and employment in Europe

How do individual EU member states compare with other member states in terms of the situation for minorities in the labour market?

The impact of immigration on Italy’s society

This report addresses the systematic outlook on the immigration phenomenon inItaly and the discussion on immigration issues in a more aware and informed way.

Participation and integration in urban immigrant self-help organisations

The research was performed by Regioplan Beleidsonderzoek (Regional Plan Policy Research) by order of the Social Development Department of the City of Amsterdam. The city wants to gain a better insight into the contribution of self-help organisations to the integration process, as the granting of subsidies is based on activities that promote integration.

The dynamics of international migration and settlement in Europe

This comprehensive overview of migration research conducted throughout the IMISCOE network of European research, analyses the influx of various types of immigrants in Western Europe post World War II, mostly to large cities, as well as the reactions of the native populations and governments to the changes and pressures brought about by immigration.

Barriers to access to essential services

Sets out the findings of a survey which explored people's experiences of barriers to accessing essential services, focusing on people who are socially excluded or grouped under Section 75 (promoting equal opportunities) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Planning and engaging with intercultural communities: building the knowledge and skills base - UK

Offers advice on how the new planning for intercultural communities can proceed, emphasising the importance of skills for effective engagement.

Education policy and ethnic segregation in two cities (Miskolc, Nyiregyhaza)

Two cities are having different approaches toward the integration of the roma population through urban development strategies, and their consequences are seen in the educational policies and educational outcomes as well.

Improving opportunity, strengthening society - UK

A progress report on the government’s strategy for race equality and community cohesion.

Towards community cohesion: a guide for local authority leaders - United Kingdom

This publication aims to contribute to the understanding of how communities work, and provides guidance for local authority leaders and chief executives on building and maintaining community cohesion.

Research-Action “legal-illegal relations among young people”

In 2001, the town of Gennevilliers called in a psychosociologist to set up a working group of professionals in the social and educational fields with the task of observing and analysing the problems of an informal economy and affirmation of identity encountered in the district of Luth.

Multiculturality and Integration in Angers, Haarlem and Osnabrück

This work is the result of a conference held by the twinned towns of Haarlem, Angers and Osnabrück on the theme of multiculturality and integration in Germany, France and the Netherlands. After the conference it was decided that a report should be written describing the integration policy of the three towns.

Living apart together – British Muslims and the paradox of multiculturalism

The report ‘Living apart together’ describes the attitudes of British Muslims towards their religion and the British state. The authors warn not to treat the entire Muslim population as a monolith with special needs that are different to the rest of the population. Based upon their observations the authors stress that it is important to view Islamism and radicalisation amongst British Muslimsnot as an ‘imported’ problem, but as an issue that has it roots in British society. The report, published by the independent British think tank Policy Exchange, recommends to no longer approach British Muslims based upon their religious denomination, but to treat them as individual citizens.

Connecting communities in neighbourhoods: the ‘what works guide’ for organisations working with refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers in neighbourhood renewal areas

This guide is about how to make communities more connected, so that potentially vulnerable or excluded groups are not marginalised.

Learning lessons from thematic social inclusion partnerships (SIPs)

This research report identifies the lessons which emerged from the practices of the Scottish Executive's thematic Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs), which aimed to tackle social exclusion experienced by particular groups across the country.

A literature review on multiple and complex needs

The study reviewed evidence from research literature on service provision for people with multiple and complex needs.

The multi-dimensional analysis of social exclusion

The purpose of this study was to explore the scope for the analysis of ‘deep exclusion’ or multiple disadvantage across a range of existing data sets, and to identify gaps in the knowledge base and potential strategies for filling those gaps.

An overview of the social inclusion partnership (SIP) programme

This report synthesises the available research on the general impact, delivery issues and policy implications of the Scottish social inclusion partnership (SIP) programme.

Population mobility and service provision: a report for London Councils

This report presents the findings of an investigation into the impacts of population mobility and transience on London borough councils.

How can we unlock the potential of cultural diversity in cities?

This paper summarises the results of research conducted into ways of unlocking the potential of cities' cultural diversity and identifies practical strategies to encourage intercultural exchange between different groups.

Yorkshire Forward: End of Programme External Evaluation Report. Period: October 2002-March 2005

Evaluation of the Fair Play Partnership which delivered a range of services on behalf of Yorkshire Forward to act as a regional information and innovation point, which supports Yorkshire Forward in meeting its diversity and equality targets.

Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX)

There are 20 million third country nationals living in Europe today, a fact that has made migration a major challenge and opportunity for the European Union. It is therefore interesting to compare migration policies across different EU countries in order to find out which policies various countries apply to address the issue of migration and in how far these policy measures are successful in creating opportunities for migrants to participate in society. In this respect not only national governments have a role to play, but also local communities, civil society and individual migrants play an important part.

The Causes and Consequences of Residential Segregation

This paper presents a new equilibrium framework for analyzing economic and policy questions related to the sorting of households within a large metropolitan area.

Local integration policies for migrants in Europe

Successfully integrating immigrants and ethnic minorities remains a challenging task for European cities. Because they are often dependent on national and federal legislation, local policies sometimes fail to address integration issues effectively. For this reason, cities and municipalities have a genuine interest in following successful local integration practices. This report of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, provides an overview of (local) integration policies in Europe. The report describes the historical and institutional factors which shaped migration policy in twelve EU Member States and analyses local integration policies in fourteen European cities.

Community cohesion: an action guide - guidance for local authorities

This guidance provides advice to local authorities on how to build and strengthen cohesive communities. 

Immigration and Integration Policymaking in Spain

Foreign migration to Spain is relatively recent and consequently so are policies related to both immigration and the integration of immigrants. This paper provides an overview of policymaking in Spain relying upon bits and pieces of research conducted from angles other than the one adopted in this study.

Migration Policymaking in Germany: Between National Reluctance and Local Pragmatism?

Germany’s long-lasting view of itself as a non-immigration country resulted in the absence of a comprehensive national migration policy up till the new millennium. In reality, throughout its history, Germany has been a typical immigration country. This paper reveals the multitude of policymaking arenas that exist at different levels of society and offers new insight into policymaking and outputs.

State of the Art of the Migration Research in Poland

Scoping the widest possible picture of migration research in Poland after 1989, this report presents output by scientists published in Poland and abroad, both in Polish and in English. Over 300 scientific texts were reviewed, categorised, summarised and assessed on the basis of their research results and applied methodologies. The contributors to this collection concentrated on articles culled from published books, reviewed journals, research reports and working papers; unpublished works were not considered. Encyclopaedic in its approach, this study will provide valuable literature to Polish researchers in the field of migration as well as prove extremely useful to those seeking an overview of migration research in Poland.

How should liberal-democratic states accommodate religious diversity?

By using policy briefs the Network of Excellence IMISCOE (International Migration, Integration and Social Cohesion) aims to bring research to the attention of policy makers and at the same time translate the results into meaningful and useful messages to them.

International research project: Access to housing and building inclusion in Europe

How do different European countries deal with the inclusion of immigrant groups and ethnic minorities? That is the central question of the international research project 'Building inclusion: Access to housing and building inclusion in Europe'. The project mainly focuses on housing and the social protection of the various groups mentioned above. The strategies and problems in cities receive particular attention. The project is supported by the European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity (2007-2013) managed by the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the European Commission. Seven EU Member States participated in the initiative.

Caught between Scylla and Charybdis? Changing orientations of migrant organisations in the era of national states, from 1880 onwards

The paper by Leo Lucassen and Rinus Penninx presents the main result of an ambitious research project on the dynamics of German, Polish and Turkish migrant organisations in the Netherlands over a period spanning more than a century. It constitutes a very relevant contribution to the study of migrants’ social and political mobilisation in the Netherlands and across Europe.

Los Angeles on the Leading Edge: Immigration Integration Indicators and their Policy Implications

The report 'Los Angeles on the Leading Edge', published by MPI (Migration Policy Institute) analyses immigrant integration in Los Angeles. The report makes clear that the particular demographic trends that have shaped the population of the city, place it on the leading edge of issues related to the integration of immigrants and their families into the mainstream of the US economy and civic life. Los Angeles is unique in the size of its immigrant population, the large presence of unauthorized and mixed-status families, and the growing size of the second generation and its concerns. As the city engages and responds to the opportunities and challenges these trends prsent, LA is illuminating the path for elected officials, community leaders and other stakeholders across the United States.

Community-Based Organizations and Immigrant Integration in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area

Demographic shifts have changed the region’s—and the nation’s—social, economic, and political landscape. While public discourse and immigration policies have mainly addressed law enforcement and border control, and, to a lesser degree, employment and access to public programs, scant attention has been given to how immigrants weave their way into the civic and political fabric of American life. This study seeks to address this gap.

Progress and challenges of the UK's new Europeans

The recent enlargement of the European Union has fundamentally changed migration patterns to the United Kingdom. Over the past five years, it has brought hundreds of thousands of new EU citizens into the UK’s society and its labour market. The new migration poses distinctive new challenges to those who work to promote equality in the UK. The report 'The UK's new Europeans: Progress and Challenges five years after accession', written by the Migration Policy Institute for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, explores the various impacts of the immigration of so-called 'New Europeans' from Central and Eastern Europe on the UK's society. It also looks into the quality of life of these recent immigrants.

Indigenous Peoples’ Right to Adequate Housing: A Global Overview

This publication is a preliminary effort to identify whether, and to what extent, indigenous peoples enjoy the right to adequate housing in different regions of the world.

Centre of Validation of occupational skills Malmö

The City of Malmö has a Centre of Validation, where diploma verification takes place and where clients works on their 'qualification portfolio', is part of the introduction program for new immigrants to Sweden. In this manner immigrants are better prepared for the labour market.

EUKN 2010 conference page, 'Effects of demographic change on urban structures' - Budapest, 13-14 September 2010

Social Impact Assessment: Social inclusion and protection through public policy

The EU2020 strategy promotes inclusive growth, but how can developments in this area be monitored? A Social Impact Assessment, a tool and process to estimate likely future impacts of policy proposals, can play an instrumental role, but its implementation is still in its infancy in most European countries.

Report on Social Protection and Inclusion 2010

The Council of the European Union and the Social protection Committee have produced a joint report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion in 2010. The human costs of the economic crisis are still unfolding, and cities and regions will need to develop different types of policies in order to mitigate its effects.

“My mentor has been a huge help to me”- Guide to running a mentoring programme

Integration is all about inclusion: social, political, economic as well as cultural. Through a local mentoring programme, immigrants were helped to face any obstacles they might come across in realising their participation in society. At the same time, the mentors gained an enriching insight in another culture and a migration experience. This guide provides support and practical tips for organisations who wish to undertake a similar programme in their communities.

Mentoring immigrants: 'As much about my own development as it was about the mentee's'

The Immigrant Council of Ireland has implemented a mentoring programme for immigrants in order to promote their integration into the Irish society. The ICI emphasises the link between immigration and integration and has
developed a number of programmes which promote the economic, political and social participation of people who have migrated to Ireland. The evaluation of their mentoring programme contains valuable lessons learned and general pointers for developing a mentoring programme in other societies.

Cities and active inclusion: quality of social services and the social economy

The latest report by EUROCITIES is called ‘Cities and active inclusion: quality of social services and the social economy’. The report provides an analytical overview of trends, challenges and innovative practices on active inclusion at local level in 10 cities throughout the European Union. It is based on 10 research reports produced by 10 cities. 5 cities looked at the issue of providing quality social services (Barcelona, Birmingham, Brno, Copenhagen, and Sofia), and 5 cities focused on the role of the social economy in supporting active inclusion (Bologna, Krakow, Lille Métropole-Roubaix, Rotterdam and Stockholm).

Europe for citizens – CEMR launches consultation on a new European citizenship

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has launched a public consultation in order to put forward recommendations for the future post-2013 European programme “Europe for citizens”.

European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals

On 20 July 2011 the European Commission (EC) adopted a European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, a contribution to the debate on how to understand and better support integration in European countries.

Creating an effective enforcement system

As the United States moves through an extended period of economic difficulty, characterized by high rates of unemployment and “involuntary” part-time employment, enforcement of labour laws has become an even more critical concern. The presence of vulnerable workers, including those without immigration status, influences labour standards compliance, as does the necessity of many businesses to cut costs. Yet budgetary limitations — at both federal and state levels — constrain the ability of enforcement agencies to carry out their mandates. These are some of the findings in the research titled ‘Labor standards enforcement and low-wage immigrants: creating an effective enforcement system’ by Donald M. Kerwin and Kristen McCabe.

Growing amount of Polish immigrant workers seek mental help in the Netherlands

A growing number of Polish immigrants get psychiatric and psychological help in the Netherlands. In the past 2 years 700 new cases were encountered at the Dutch Mental and Health Organisation (GGZ), where Polish-speaking employees work and are better able to communicate with Polish immigrant workers with mental issues. In general it can be said that they suffer from loneliness, bad housing and discrimination.

Justus Uitermark winner of IMISCOE's Maria Ioannis Baganha Dissertation Award for Dynamic of Power in Dutch Integration

The IMISCOE Research Network functions not only as a framework for developing research on international migration, integration and social cohesion in Europe, but also provides training to PhD students working within these themes. Yearly IMISCOE awards the Maria Ioannis Baganha Dissertation Award to applicants with the best dissertation in the field of migration, integration and social cohesion in Europe. Justus Uitermark is the winner of this year’s award for his dissertation titled ‘Dynamics of Power in Dutch Integration’.

City of Hodonín: System of Social Integration in the town

Increasing the role of NGOs in the social integration of labour migrants in the Czech Republic

The project aims to eliminate problems related to social integration of foreigners from third countries who lawfully reside in the Czech Republic and are or will be active at its legal labor market.

Barcelona dispels rumours, misconceptions and the prejudices about minorities and immigrants

In November 2010, when the Barcelona City Council unveiled its long-term strategy to improve coexistence among local and new immigrants, it launched a clever public service campaign to dispel rumours, misconceptions and the prejudices that many local people held about minorities and immigrants.