The Regions for Migrants & Refugees Integration – REGIN Project was created to mainstream migrant and refugee integration within social cohesion policies at regional level, by building a common framework to facilitate, guide and improve the performance of regions through innovative tools.
This project, co-funded by the European Union (DG HOME) under the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), was coordinated by the CPMR as leader of a consortium consisting of 10 partners and was implemented in 6 European regions.
To achieve long-term impact, given the geographic coverage of the project and considering regional competences and multi-level governance challenges, REGIN aimed at:
The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) acts as both a think tank and lobby representing more than 150 regional authorities from 24 countries across Europe and beyond. Organised in geographical commissions, the CPMR works to ensure that a balanced territorial development is at the heart of the European Union and its policies. Its core areas of work are cohesion policy, transport, maritime and fisheries, climate and energy, and migration.
As REGIN coordinator, the CPMR ensured the overall management of the project in line with the agreed work plan, deliverables schedule and contractual obligations. It defined the activities, roles and responsibilities of the co-beneficiaries and was responsible for monitoring and evaluating the project activities and results. It also had responsibility for communication, dissemination and capitalisation of the project through its own members’ network and beyond, as well as the development of a database of regional practices and experiences and linked interactive map to highlight the learning process of developing actions and instruments to promote inclusion and integration in European regions
The action of the Regional Directorate for Communities under the Vice-Presidency of the Azores Government is based on the dual aspect of preserving cultural identity and integrating immigrant, emigrated and returned communities. As well as providing public services to these populations, it promotes dialogue between immigrant and emigrated communities and their representatives and encourages their civic and political participation in the societies in which they live.
As one of the six regional partners, Azores tested the tools and instruments developed under REGIN. It informed and worked with public officials and stakeholders to understand the key role of integration in providing social cohesion (training and capacity building sessions), as well as promoted and facilitated interactive activities to foster inclusion.
Migrant integration in Campania Region is managed through the General Directorate for Social and Welfare Policies. The Directorate focuses in particular on policies to promote the integration of non-EU migrants into the labour market.
As one of the six regional partners, Campania tested the tools and instruments developed under REGIN. It informed and worked with public officials and stakeholders to understand the key role of integration in providing social cohesion (training and capacity building sessions), as well as promoted and facilitated interactive and innovative activities to foster inclusion.
The Department for Equality and Feminism is the entity responsible for the Catalan Government’s migration management through the Secretariat for Equality. A cross-cutting approach, consensus, intergovernmental coordination, inter-administrative cooperation and dialogue with civil society are the main features of this management which focuses both on the initial reception of immigrants as well as inclusion and participation in Catalan society as its key cornerstones.
As one of the six regional partners, Catalonia tested the tools and instruments developed under REGIN. It informed and worked with public officials and stakeholders to understand the key role of integration in providing social cohesion (training and capacity building sessions), as well as promoted and facilitated interactive and innovative activities to foster inclusion. In collaboration with CIDOB and MPG, it also coordinated the work on indicators with the other regional partners.
The Directorate General for Social Services and Relations with the Third Sector under the Regional Ministry of Women, Equality, Family and Social Policy is the entity responsible for developing the Region of Murcia’s policies for the promotion and integration of immigrants. Its work includes the preparation, monitoring and evaluation of Plans and Programmes related to Immigration, as well as competences in the field of social services and volunteering. Murcia Region’s strategic approach is one based on coordination between national, regional and local levels and NGOs for effective action on the reception and integration of migrants and refugees.
As one of the six regional partners, Murcia Region contributed to the definition and testing of the tools and instruments developed under REGIN. It informed and worked with public officials and stakeholders to understand the key role of integration in providing social cohesion (training and capacity building sessions), as well as promoted and facilitated interactive and innovative activities to foster integration.
The Division for Citizen Security, Migration and Social Anti-mafia Policies of the Regional Presidency draws up the three-year plans for migration policies. It oversees and coordinates the activities for Puglia Region relating to policies on reception, social and health care, integration and training for migrant populations.
As one of the six regional partners, Puglia tested the tools and instruments developed under REGIN. It informed and worked with public officials and stakeholders to understand the key role of integration in providing social cohesion (training and capacity building sessions), as well as promoted and facilitated interactive and innovative activities to foster inclusion. In collaboration with the CPMR, it contributed to the selection of regional practices and experiences for a database and linked interactive map to highlight the learning process of developing actions and instruments to promote inclusion and integration in European regions.
The Skåne County Administrative Board (Lansstyrelsen) has the mission to promote capacity and preparedness for the reception of newly arrived migrants. It conducts its work through a model called Partnership Skåne which brings together the County Administrative Board, Region Skåne, Public Employment Service, municipalities, universities and civil society organizations. Partnership Skåne acts as a frame for comprehensive inter-sectorial cooperation and methodological development supporting the integration of migrants and refugees in the region, with a focus on health, participation and empowerment.
As well as contributing to the REGIN tools and instruments, Skåne was in charge of conducting a test bed in collaboration with its partner NGOs as part of its previous and ongoing method development regarding health equity and social inclusion. The test bed consisted of an advisory service providing holistic support to newly arrived migrants and a support scheme tailored to individual needs to achieve integration, psychosocial support and empowerment.
CIDOB is an international affairs research centre that, through excellence and relevance, seeks to analyse the global issues that affect political, social and governance dynamics, from the international to the local. CIDOB promotes innovation in the analysis of global politics and addresses migration from a triple perspective: as a subject of politicisation in public debates, as an object of public policy and in relation to its forms of governance
In collaboration with MPG, Instrategies and Catalonia, CIDOB developed a set of indicators designed to measure the effectiveness of integration policies and outcomes at regional level and built up an index based on the MIPEX methodology existing already at national level. They were also involved in the drafting of policy briefs and reports.
Instrategies is a think & do specialised in European and international affairs, focusing on mobility, migration and diversity management. They carry out research and offer strategic support to institutions, companies and organisations that want to develop policies, strategies and projects related to these fields and optimise their European and international presence.
Instrategies was responsible for developing a regional toolkit for fostering integration and inclusion. This included a training for regional staff and stakeholder capacity building. Instrategies also contributed to the development and analysis of outcome indicators and was responsible for coordinating communication and dissemination activities, in collaboration with the CPMR.
The Migration Policy Group is an independent think-and-do tank based in Brussels. MPG’s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.
In collaboration with CIDOB, Instrategies and Catalonia, MPG developed a set of indicators designed to measure the effectiveness of integration policies and outcomes at regional level and built up an index based on the MIPEX methodology existing already at national level. They were also involved in the drafting of policy briefs and reports.
The following REGIN Associated Partners participated in the dissemination and capitalisation of project results: