The MigrantVoicesHeard project challenged dominant narratives of migrants as merely helpless victims and/or recipients of services that exhaust the social service systems of their host states. It promoted the understanding of migrants as agents of change who can add value to existing political processes and strengthen them. 

In addition, the project enhanced the capacity of 3 local-level (Graz, Neapolis-Sykeon, Budapest) and 4 regional-level public authorities (Stara Zagora region, Campania Region, AURA Region, and Cluj-Napoca region) in 7 EU countries to manage participatory mechanisms that ensure regular consultations with the migrants in the respective communities.

Refugees, other migrants, policy makers, and other relevant stakeholders (such as local/national NGOs; wider society) can all be said to have benefitted from the project, whether as primary or secondary beneficiaries.

The project’s capacity-building and community mobilisation strategy was based on mapping and transnational exchange of best practices, led by project partners in Austria. The initiative enhanced migrant participation in 6 regions of the partner countries by enhancing the human capacity for political action in migrant communities, through delivery of training to active members. It also addressed barriers related to laws and policies that make migrant participation difficult to formally organise. 

The Cluj Migrant Council was officially registered as an association - an independent, non-profit legal person of private law - under the name of 'Cluj International Citizens Council' (Asociația Consiliul Cetățenilor Internaționali Cluj). The council’s initial mission of representation and participation in local policy making processes has been expanded to incorporate an active role in facilitating the integration of migrant community members, building bridges between migrant and local communities, and ensuring the access to funds for sustainability.  

The council currently has 33 members, from various countries of origin, who are involved in local public policy and representation processes. 
 

In October 2023 the establishment of Cluj International Citizens Council was announced in a public event attended by approximately 70 participants - members of international communities, public officials, representatives of cultural centers, NGOs etc. The onset was supported by the local government officials, emphasising a shared commitment to collaboration to identify solutions for migrant integration and fostering inclusion in Cluj-Napoca.

In November 2023, at the invitation of the Cluj-Napoca City Hall, PATRIR joined the Local Working Group of the WELDI Project (“Welcome and Empowerment for Local Dignified Integration”), supported by the European Commission'sInterreg URBACT IV Cooperation Programme. On this occasion PATRIR hosted the visit of a European delegation aiming to identify practical ways to facilitate the integration of migrants to make them feel welcome with focus on education and labour market integration. Council members attended the meeting to share their experience on integration. Throughout 2024, members of the council continued to participate in WELDI’s participatory needs analyses on employment, housing etc. and provided input on migrants’ needs. The participation of the council in the consultation process initiated through WELDI contributed to enhancing its role as a consultative body, despite the absence of specific legislation to regulate this role.

In March 2024, members of the Council were invited as speakers for the "Voices of Migration: Navigating Challenges and Building Resilience," workshop organised by Ateliere de Incluziune și Combatere a Discriminării, Faculty of European Studies, Babeș-Bolyai University.

From 28 May - 2 June 2024 the council, in collaboration with local stakeholders including City Hall and Babeș-Bolyai University, co-organised EthniCity2024 - a multicultural festival held as part of Cluj Days. The event aimed to celebrate diversity, encourage intercultural dialogue, and foster social integration and cohesion.

The council maintains active social media accounts, a website, and an internal communication channel, through which support is provided on key topics such as scholarships for migrants, residence permits, immigration procedures, and important event announcements. Currently, the council is seeking funding to be able to offer more comprehensive services to migrants and refugees. As part of its development strategy, members will apply for small grants to build a service portfolio. 

Over 1 million migrants in the target municipalities and regions were estimated to benefit in the long term from the local infrastructure (the migrant councils) created for the political participation of migrants. 

Besides regular monitoring and self-evaluation conducted during project implementation, no former evaluation targeting the project results and impact has yet been performed.

In terms of the councils themselves, the project highlighted some factors that have contributed to their success and sustainability, including:

• the existence of civil society support from the beginning;
• interest and support from local/regional authorities;
• the availability of financial resources for maintaining the council.

The MigrantVoicesHeard project was funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) of the European Union.