From the late 1990s until today, the municipality of Barcelona has followed an intercultural strategy to implement inclusive measures for local migrant integration. These measures were reinforced to welcome asylum seekers as the population tripled between 2015 and 2017, through a range of measures, including:
In Tangier, Morocco, the municipality is working closely with civil society initiatives to promote social cohesion and access to services for migrants given the lack of deconcentrated services of the ministry in charge of migration.
In Lyon, the Agence Lyon Tranquilité et Médiation (ALTM), an agency of mediation promoted by the municipality, helped to decrease social tension in Gabriel Péri square, which plays a central role for migrant populations in the city. This initiative deploys uniformed mediators to promote long-term social cohesion in a specific and ‘problematic’ area of the city. This state-led intervention exemplifies how social cohesion can be strengthened through a collective, holistic approach that aims at building bridges rather than promoting exclusionary security measures.
The City of Lisbon’s One Stop Shop that brings together under one roof and streamlines services to immigrants and ensures open access to everyone (regardless of status) has been an inspiration for other cities.
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 Denmark, over 40 municipalities provide a buddying system whereby refugees are matched with a community volunteer who provides practical guidance and support.
1. Overview
Good communication can be a powerful tool in support of migrant integration. The “Communicating on Migrant Integration” website of the OECD Network of Communication Officers on Migration (NETCOM) makes available articles and good practice examples on the topic.
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.
Ecuador has put in place the National Human Mobility Round Table involving a wide range of actors (ministries, public agencies, CSO, academia, UN agencies, business) to work on various issues and identify solutions, including on inclusion. Coordination among central government, provinces and regional actors aims to ensure the application of public policies at different levels of administration;