An innovative tool for the inclusion of refugees.

An innovative tool for the inclusion of refugees.

Refu‘In

We are a research project coordinated by CRESCER*, from Portugal, and developed in partnership with other four organizations:

*CRESCER is a non-profit organization, founded in 2001 and its main goal is to reach out to others, promote health and harm reduction, and support people in situations of vulnerability, through community intervention projects.

Our Process

Quantitative and qualitative research tools were developed by the consortium and moments of consultation with the target public, professionals who work with these groups and other different stakeholders were promoted:

0

Questionnaires

Quantitative data was gathered using questionnaires that were distributed to refugees, asylum seekers and professionals who work with this target groups. In total, 511 questionnaires were filled by beneficiaries and 306 by the professionals.

0

Focus Groups

To collect qualitative data related to the integration of refugees and asylum seekers, each institution gathered 3 focus group: one only with beneficiaries, one with only professionals and a third one with both samples.

0

National Forums

Good Practices were presented during the National Forums, by invited stakeholders working with the target group. Portugal, Bulgaria and Sweden organized 1 Forum each. Italy promoted 3 National Forums.

0

Good Practices

Were collected during the project.

These good practices are related with 6 main categories: Housing, Free-Time, Employment, Education, Health and Provision of Information and Prevention of Discrimination. For the Toolkit, we selected 24 practices.

Testmonials

The first year in Portugal was very difficult and we wanted to leave. After MEERU arrived, the team helped us with all aspects of life here: with the documents, supporting us psychologically, calling us, talking to us... That's why we stayed in Portugal.

Participant accompanied by MERUU APROXIMA

This project is like an agriculture course but it’s even more, because we learn a trade but we do it together. Each of us comes from a different country, so one gives an idea, another gives another one, and so we arrive to the best ideia, at what is good for us. For me this project is very interesting, it is something new.

Taraq, 19 Years-Old (Bangladesh) Accompanied by PermaCulture

I learned Bulgarian through a Caritas mentorship programme which paired Bulgarians together with refugees and we had meetings once a week. As a refugee, finding opportunities to connect with Bulgarian people can be really hard, so these regular meetings were really helpful, but it doesn’t happen in one step.

MJ from Syria Refugee in Bulgaria - Owner of small business in Sofia

DISCLAIMER
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SUPPORT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THIS PUBLICATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE CONTENTS WHICH REFLECTS THE VIEWS ONLY OF THE AUTHORS, AND THE COMMISSION CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY USE WHICH MAY BE MADE OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN.