São Paulo developed a Referral and Assistance Centre for Immigrants, a specialized public service that provides, among other services, guidance on the regularization of documental status, legal counseling, social assistance, as well as referral to Portuguese classes in public schools, job intermediation services, and short-term shelter.
In Castelfiorentino (Italy) under the Castello Alto Project, local residents and civic organizations participate in the reception of new arrivals, which has led to improved social cohesion in the multicultural neighbourhood around the old city centre. Activities include sporting and art activities, a cross-cultural study space, a recreational meeting place, neighbourhood dinners, and the creation of a neighbourhood committee.
In Morocco, various municipalities in the region of Souss-Massa have established Migration Reception and Orientation Offices for returning Moroccans in order to support them with the administrative procedures related to their social rights acquired during their stays abroad, for example to gain access to their pensions.
The Papyrus Project, which officially began in February 2017, is a project of the Canton of Geneva, supported by the Swiss Confederation. The project aims to initiate a process of regularisation of undocumented migrants in Geneva and to address the economic sectors affected by undeclared work and unfair remuneration. Operation Papyrus was developed and implemented with the active participation of Geneva associations and trade unions, which advised and supported migrants in the preparation of their regularization file.
In Gaziantep, Turkey, the city has developed a geographical database system in order to share data among municipal departments on vulnerable groups including migrants.
Governments at the local level, while often lacking a voice in setting immigration policy, are responsible for many concrete aspects of migration, from the organization and use of public spaces to the development of affordable housing, and plans to meet the social, cultural, religious, and other needs of diverse communities. An example of this is the “DiverseCity” campaign in New York, which presents immigration as part of the city’s identity and richness.
At the city level, Amsterdam has adopted a program called “Everyone’s Police”, which encourages the reporting of crimes in the interest of more effective policing and community engagement. To reach undocumented residents, the police organizes monthly information sessions. A safe reporting policy based on the Amsterdam model has been rolled out nationwide to encourage people who are undocumented to approach the authorities to report crimes and to promote trust.
The Migrant and Refugee Orientation Centre is a place both to meet and to receive support, aimed at all groups and communities that make up the multicultural society of the City of Buenos Aires. It seeks to centralize activities of State bodies and civil organizations and promote initiatives, meeting the needs and demands of migrants and refugees. Its activities are divided into 3 main areas: 1) Guidance and support; 2) Job training; and 3) Sport and recreation.
GIZ supports the National Programme for Sustainable small-scale Irrigation in Mali through job creation in two value chains with high employment potential, fishery and horticulture, in the region of Kayes, particularly affected by emigration.
The Bella Milano initiative in the city of Milan, Italy, has supported migrant volunteers to clean the city and give back to the community, helping to establish a positive rapport in their neighbourhoods. Milan has also organized the ‘Milano Mondo’ media campaign including annual neighborhood festivals.