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Cities Network for Integration (CNI)

The Cities Network for Integration (CNI) plans, organises, implements and exchanges information on good practices in migrant and refugee integration. It focuses on connection, empowerment and promotion of change, in order to strengthen social cohesion and facilitate the integration of refugees and migrants. 

Project Goal

The ultimate goals of the CNI are as follows:

  • Social cohesion and inclusion of all migrants and refugees.
  • The integration of migrants and refugees in all areas of social life, through education and employment opportunities.
  • The awareness of local communities and the participation of citizens in integration processes.
  • The mutual support and coordination of the members of the network for the implementation of interventions and actions, for the provision of know-how, the exploitation of knowledge and experience at the local level, cooperation and exchange of good practice.
  • Strengthening the representation of migrant and refugee communities, through the use and empowerment of local bodies such as local Migrant and Refugee Integration Councils (MRICs).
  • Improving service delivery by supporting and expanding existing structures, such as Community Centers and Migrant Integration Centers.
  • Finding partnerships at the national, European and international level.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the progress of cooperation between members and continuously exploring new needs.

A needs assessment was carried out in the member municipalities to support the network in organising its priorities. The priority needs identified by the member municipalities can be summarised as follows:

  • Strengthening municipal structures and services (providing municipal staff with specialised training, integrating intercultural mediation, enhancing services for preventing and combating gender based violence, supporting Migrant Integration Centers).
  • Promoting institutional reform (managing the exits of recognised refugees from the ESTIA programme and developing related integration policies).
  • Raising awareness and promoting active participation among local communities (combating racism, organsing cultural and sports activities and promoting the exchange and dissemination of good practices).
  • Connecting members of the CNI.
  • Supporting the education and empowerment of refugees for their successful integration into the labour market (connecting refugees to the local labour market, developing adult education and training programmes, implementing skills development programmes and developing job counselling programmes).  

Who benefits

Participating municipalities and visitors to the network's website, as well as migrants and beneficiaries of (and applicants for) international protection.

How it works

The CNI was launched in January 2018 through cooperation between the two largest municipalities of Greece, Athens and Thessaloniki. It now comprises 18 municipalities: those of Athens, Agios Dimitrios, Chania, Delta, Heraklion, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Kalamaria, Karditsa, Katerini, Larissa, Livadeia, Neapoli – Sykies, Nea Filadelfeia / Nea Chalkidona, Piraeus, Tilos, Trikala, and Tripoli. 

The framework of the CNI comprises a committee of mayors, a technical forum, local working groups and the coordination team. The committee of mayors is responsible for deciding the strategic priorities of the Network. The technical forum and local technical working groups contribute to planning and implementing common initiatives, and are attended by municipal staff with experience in the social integration of vulnerable groups. The coordination team connects member municipalities, coordinates joint actions and promotes the achievement of goals set by its members.

Results

The results of the CNI include the participation of 18 municipalities, the implementation of 86 social programmes and the production of 15 good practices.

In order to respond to the needs of its members, the network also created a website for the sharing of information and good practices. The website essentially aims to highlight initiatives and promote social facilities, services and programmes that support and empower migrants and refugees in each municipality.

Evaluation

No project evaluation has yet been published.

Funding and resources

Since April 2020 the CNI has been funded by UNHCR and IOM. 

About this good practice

Details

Original source
Posted by
Antigone
Country Coordinator

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