Human rights think-tank launches two integration projects

Human rights think-tank People for Change Foundation, in collaboration with partners from across the European Union, has launched two projects on integration of migrants in Malta.

The projects, which are co-funded by the European Integration Fund of the European Union, are 'ASSESS', led by the Bulgaria-based Centre for the Study of Democracy; and 'Migrant Integration: Who Benefits?' led by the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB) and the Migration Policy Group (MPG).

The project ASSESS: The Integration of Vulnerable Migrant Groups, aims to monitor and assess the effectiveness of integration measures for vulnerable migrant groups, particularly women, children and trafficked persons.

It does so through identifying the strengths and weaknesses in the application of the Common Basic Principles on Migrant Integration as well as exchanging good practice between EU countries with different migration patterns, regimes and experiences.

The ten EU Member States participating in this project will be looking at integration challenges faced by vulnerable migrants and the way such vulnerabilities are accounted for in the monitoring and evaluation of integration measures. The project will develop methods for monitoring the integration of vulnerable migrant groups across the EU formulate recommendations for improving their integration, and raise awareness among national stakeholders of the need to develop vulnerability-sensitive integration processes.

Integration policies: Who Benefits? The development and use of indicators in Integration debates (MIPEX 2015), aims to inform and engage key policy actors on how to use indicators to improve integration governance and policy effectiveness.

This will be done by identifying and measuring integration outcomes and integration policies, describing the real and potential beneficiaries of policies; and by collecting and analysing assessments of integration policy effects. This information will pertain to the areas of employment, education, political participation, access to nationality, family re-unification, long term residence and anti-discrimination. The results will be available online through a series of interactive tools.  

"These projects come at an important time when integration and vulnerability are both being discussed on the national level. Our aim is to ensure that the rights of migrants, including vulnerable migrants are protected, and that integration measures have the desired positive outcome for all involved," said Jean-Pierre Gauci, co-director of the Foundation.

"These projects continue to build on the work we have been doing in the area for the past 7 years."

Both projects will be taking place over the next 18 months. Further information is available at www.pfcmalta.org.