'Paving the Way' Handbook - ICMC

10
1. Increase support for resettlement and expand the number
of resettlement places
Experience shows that when local communities understand the realities of refugees’
lives there is support for resettlement. To widen this support and increase the number of
resettlement places in Europe, more efforts should be invested in raising awareness in local
communities about the need to offer protection to refugees, mobilising support through a
variety of tools including new social media such as Facebook , Twitter, and blogs.
New partnerships with civil society and municipalities offer opportunities to expand and
supplement the range of services and sources of funding for resettlement. Partnerships
can be built between national authorities, municipalities, NGOs and other actors in local
communities such as associations, churches, private businesses, refugee self-help organisations,
volunteer networks, schools, universities, and the media, to develop practical help
and financial support for resettlement.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The European Refugee Fund (ERF) can contribute to increasing resettlement places and
provide incentives for new countries to engage in resettlement. It is recommended that
the ERF funding is made available to fund quality integration programmes and support services
at a local level for refugees. ERF funding should also promote networking, knowledge
sharing and exchange of practices among civil society and municipalities, at European,
national, regional and local levels.
2. Build policies for integration and social cohesion
Governments and other stakeholders, including those at EU level, should coordinate the
integration policy framework for refugees with the policies, programmes and plans drawn
up for migrants. They should take into account the specific needs of resettled refugees, and
reconfirm that integration is a two-way process, which requires efforts of the refugee and
the host community.
Developing integration policies in consultation with the relevant national and local stakeholders
is fundamental to creating welcoming communities. This should involve a structured
collaboration and framework of regional and local actors, including NGOs, city networks and
associations of municipalities.
Permanent residence status and family reunification are key to providing ‘durable solutions’
and security for resettled refugees. Permanent residence must be provided on arrival and