NGO Network of Integration Focal Points
June 2005 - February 2007 The NGO Network of Integration Focal Points brings together over 27 non-governmental organisations in 19 countries in the refugee- and migration field with the aim:
The Network is coordinated by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) in liaison with Caritas Europa. The Network was established in June 2005 and received financial support from the European Commission (INTI preparatory Actions 2004) and the Network of European Foundations (European Programme for Integration and Migration) from September 2006 to February 2007. The project includes the following activities:
The NGO Network of Integration Focal Points organised four seminars which were used as a basis for partner agencies to meet and network as well as engage in exchanging information and good practice on different aspects of integration. The first seminar of the NGO Network of Integration Focal Points took place on 18 and 19 November 2005 in Warsaw (Poland). The first day focused on the link between developments on integration issues at EU level and national / regional / local integration policies and practices. The second day focused on integration measures for asylum seekers, covering topics such as housing, assessment of skills and recognition of professional qualifications, access to vocational training and (higher) education and access to employment.
The discussions at the seminar focused on introduction programmes including issues such as the advantages and disadvantages of integration contracts and the level of information available to newly arrived immigrants.
At the final conference of the project, key recommendations were presented on six main areas of integration including Induction Programmes, Civic Participation, Housing, Employment, Recognition of Skills and Qualifications, Access to Vocational Training and Higher Education. Evidence was presented to show how the integration work that non-governmental organisations do can inform policy makers and practitioners in their daily work. Participants ranged from a variety of backgrounds including representatives from Refugee and Migrant Community Organisations, national, regional and local government and EU officials.
The purpose of the seminar was to promote common policy messages and recommendations on the practical implementation on national and EU level of Common Basic Principles (CBP) 9. It was also foreseen as a platform to exchange and promote experiences and models of good practices with EU officials, local authorities, refugees and migrants associations, and key stakeholders in the host society on civic and political participation.
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Integration Policy Briefings - National Reports
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