Focus on the transferability of REGIN tools and synergies with other European initiatives

Within the last few weeks, the REGIN Project organised and participated in activities aiming to emphasise the positive use and transferability of the REGIN tools and activities, through its external network and collaboration with European institutions.

On 21^st October, the CPMR gathered its Migration Task Force which provided an opportunity to update CPMR member regions, REGIN associated partners and other external actors on the different REGIN activities.

During the event, Angeliki Petrits, Policy Officer at DG HOME, first gave a comprehensive presentation of the new EU Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion, focusing on the multi-level governance and multi-stakeholder approach. The REGIN Project fully contributes to the objectives set out in the plan, for instance through the capacity building and training of local and regional stakeholders and an inclusive approach towards promoting the participation of diverse groups of actors in regional integration actions.

Carlota Cumella of CIDOB introduced the results of the REGIN indicators (MIPEX-R) which will shortly be published online on the REGIN and MIPEX websites. The analysis consists of two datasets, with a focus on regional integration policies and integration outcomes, designed to identify challenges, strengths and weaknesses, as well as areas where there is room for improvement.

Participants then heard from Navarra, one of the first voluntary regions to join the MIPEX-R study. Leire Rodriguez explained how the region has used the findings to identify strengths and weaknesses and better target and design their actions to promote migrant inclusion. For example, since 2021, thanks to the clearer overview provided by the MIPEX-R preliminary results, the Navarra Government has introduced a comprehensive welcome plan, a strategy on intercultural coexistence and a regional plan to combat racism.

The encounter also provided an opportunity to present the REGIN regional toolkit – Stakeholders’ Capacity Building Guidelines, Training Modules & Evaluation Framework – that can be used and adapted by both regional and local authorities.

An illustration of the transferability of the REGIN tools was facilitated by two representatives from our pilot regions – Azores (André Santos) and Catalonia (Marlen Niubó Edeler) – who shared their experience of using the tools, adapted to their own regional contexts, to build capacities with their stakeholders and develop more effective integration actions. For instance, Catalonia adapted the REGIN training guidelines to focus on interculturality and received positive feedback from the staff of the regional and local authorities involved. Using the REGIN stakeholders’ mapping and capacity building guidelines, the Azores managed to change its perspective towards a more objective and comprehensive approach promoting an enhanced participation of local authorities in the integration actions it is developing under the REGIN Project.

Finally, Nidaa Botmi, REGIN Project Officer at CPMR and Research Consultant Leila Gianetto presented the prototype of the REGIN Integration Lab map and database, soon to be published online, with an example from Skåne Region.  This is designed to be a mutual learning tool to share experiences on migrant integration at regional level, highlighting for each practice the inspiring elements, room for improvement and tips for transferability.

On 28^th October, Puglia Region took part in a workshop on design for inclusion services organised by the Include-EU Project. It exchanged with other regional stakeholders on its REGIN pilot action, that consists of a study on literacy and communication in the schooling microsystem, to reduce the communication gaps between schools and families, as well as to overcome the digital divide which has come to the fore with the COVID-19 situation where foreign families are less favoured in terms of access to digital tools.

Moreover, the participation of the REGIN Project in the European Migration Forum on the topic ‘From pandemic to recovery: challenges and best practices in migration management’, co-organised by the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Commission on 27-28^th October, represented an area of exchange and networking with a large group of civil society representatives, through its thematic workshops and its marketplace.

Thanks to these several occasions, the REGIN Project expanded its outreach to a wider network to exchange experiences and discuss potential synergies beyond the project consortium.