+Solutions in Spain

The Problem

The recent influx in migration has caused unease and fear amongst long-time residents in communities worldwide. These fears are exploited by right-wing movements and foster a strong anti-migrant sentiment and unwelcome environment, hindering the integration process. Incomplete local integration of newcomers, due to a lack of local, multi-sector planning for demographic change and failure to listen to newcomers for the development of local policies lead to a decline in community cohesion in towns and cities experiencing growth in their immigrant and refugee populations. 

The Solution

Welcoming International helps local communities adjust to and understand the benefits of demographic change. The project focuses on host community engagement; an approach that reduces anxiety and increases empathy among long-term residents in communities experiencing rapid growth in migrant populations. The project helps communities go beyond the typical “seed-focused” approach, and direct significant attention to engaging the native-born population in those communities where refugees and other migrants settle. 

The Impact

Welcoming International, established in 2009 (as Welcoming America), works in over 160 cities and towns across the United States, supporting non-profits and local governments to transform their communities into inclusive places that allow everyone to thrive. A network of non-profit and local government members – currently in 85 US communities and including the US White House – is provided with intensive support as they develop plans, programmes and policies to transform their communities. After finding significant success in the US, Welcoming International is now scaling their approach to other countries, amongst which New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and the UK. 

The Problem

In nearly every country with a large immigrant and refugee community, those who are college educated wind up unemployed or significantly underemployed upon arrival in a new country – doctors drive taxis, CEOs work in kitchens. There are few opportunities to work at the equivalent level and adapt professional skills to a new market. Skills are wasted and the lack of opportunity in the new country of residence makes adjustment, comfort and success more difficult. 

The Solution

With Upwardly Global, Jane Leu is breaking down employment barriers and opening up professional career opportunities for skilled immigrants at leading companies, integrating them into the local workforce. Upwardly Global leverages employer partnerships that benefit from access to this breadth of talents. It provides customized training and support to give these new Europeans equal opportunities to find and secure skill-appropriate opportunities and achieve their full economic potential in Europe. The outcome is global talent for employers, culturally competent service providers for diverse communities, and family-sustaining incomes for those who were previously unemployed or underemployed. 

The Impact

Upwardly Global’s services now reach thousands of underserved immigrants and refugees across the United States, who are increasingly being recognised as a valued community asset at city and state level. The programme is active in five metropolitan areas. 45% of refugees arriving in the USA have college degrees and Upwardly Global has placed 5,000+ from 169 countries into skilled jobs with an average income gain of $45,000. Through strategic partnerships, Upwardly Global is now scaling their model to other countries with large refugee and migrant populations.

The Problem

There are 258 million international migrants globally. Almost half of non-EU citizens (48.6%) living in the EU are at risk of social exclusion, resulting in difficulties of finding employment, housing and participation in local culture and social life. Local citizens are often informed by stereotypes and prejudice, leaving them to feel unsafe upon the encounter of ‘different’ people. There is a lack of opportunities to integrate, understand and empathise with migrants and this has sparked tensions between migrants and local communities. 

The Solution

SPEAK promotes the organic emergence of communities in which diversity is valued and cultures are shared in a safe space through peer-to-peer meetings. Locals, refugees and other migrants meet through an online platform and are invited to share cultural experiences and develop meaningful bonds. The project brings together locals and newcomers with the aim of creating a sense of belonging. It allows participants to facilitate informal language learning environments and host community events that engage beyond local migrant groups. Through this network, newcomers obtain access to informal recommendations as well as guidance with specific needs and integration challenges.  

The Impact

Up to date, over 5,700 people have participated in SPEAK events and more than 6,100 people have attended language sharing groups. Nearly 50% of the participants were internationals. SPEAK’s latest impact assessment reported a 15% increase in the sense of belonging of participants after 12 weeks. The report also noted that language was seen as less of a barrier in the integration process for 30% of those that took part in events and language groups during this time period. 

ComParte

Maria Minas

The Problem

Migrants and local communities lack support for integration, which often leads to segregation and feelings of isolation. Additionally, decision-makers use language that refers to integration as the sole responsibility of migrants. They have a limited understanding of how to foster integration and this stands in the way of successful integration processes.   

The Solution

ComParte is an initiative that invites citizen participation. It develops participatory methodologies with users of different infrastructures – refugees in the integration system and students in the education system – and brings them together with decision-making entities. ComParte invites refugees in Portugal to reflect on their reception and integration in the Portuguese community and to contribute with proposals and ideas to improve it. It brings refugees together with public and private entities that can take decisions on a larger scale. Through its process, involved communities have a real and direct impact on the existing systems in place.    

The Impact

ComParte has impact on three different levels: the individual, the relational and systemic change. On an individual level, the project has helped refugees gain confidence and improve communication skills. The project fostered better collaboration between communities and decision-makers, emphasising the relevance of a horizontal approach.  On a macro-level, the project has gained insight about the situation of refugees and influenced social policies to be more closely aligned with their needs. This has also provided decision-makers with access to innovative solutions of refugees, such as increased support during the transition from the refugee centre to new accommodation.   

The Problem

The media discourse is prominently featuring false information, which is affecting public opinion and connectivities between people in society. Dominant opinions have been endorsed through different media channels, allowing for segregation and disintegration of migrants and local citizens.  

The Solution

Maldita is a media outlet with a focus on fact-checking and data journalism techniques. Maldita provides accurate and reliable information that reassures citizens of thorough research and facts, on which they base their opinions and make informed decisions. Maldita developed innovative formats which focus especially on social media and has developed a community that collaborates on the project. Additionally, Maldita aims to promote media literacy and to build technology that helps citizens become aware of the dangers of false information. 

The Impact

Maldita has over 500,000 followers on social media, through which it creates a strong and committed community which actively participates in reporting misinformation.