The main challenge and objective was to analyze social and cultural integration of foreigners from third countries on the local level on the basis of case studies in selected three localities employing methods of anthropological research and to evaluate relevant integration policies and prepare recommendations for localities.

Main goals:

1. To describe the broader context of social and cultural integration of foreigners from third countries in three selected localities on the basis of secondary data sources about character of locality, demographic structure, level of services for foreigners and all stakeholders related to integration policies. (analysis of available data)
2. To gain knowledge about structural (rights to key institutions), interactive (social networks and relations) and cultural dimension of social integration of foreigners from third countries on the local level (on the concrete examples which will be clarified and defined during first phase of research).
3. To analyze policies of integration on the local level – in the context of the demands of in-depth qualitative research.
4. To define clear and concrete proposals for effective migrant integration to social and cultural life of the community.
5. The publication of research outcomes in format of publication.

The main assumption was that each locality is different in terms of several characteristics. For empirical research the possibility to compare is very important, because localities are different in terms of the share of immigrants, their share on total population, economic activities and also other characteristics. This is why the project team approached the research of integration from a perspective of locality and case studies of localities. The assumption that specific local conditions frame integration to such an extent that it is important to formulate specific local measures of integration policies was confirmed.

The approach was to research and analyse from the perspective of “everyday integration”. The scope of the research was analytically divided into three dimensions: 1) micro (perspective of migrants, local population), 2) mezzo (perspective of the institutions and local stakeholders, and 3) macro (national perspective – mainly policies). On the individual micro perspective research concentrated on the “stories of everydayness” (emphasis on everyday routine, casual day, weekend, where people spend their time in particular localities, what are they doing there, how they spend free time, which places are popular in localities, etc.). At the same time we focused on the identification of the needs and limits from the perspective of target groups – on the mezzo and macro level also through experience and reflexion of actors. Specifically also supportive or limiting mechanism and public policies. The project took the following steps: On the base of statistical data processed analysis of statistical data on the regional level in order to have “integration pictures” of particular regions, i.e. an overview of regions according to the share of immigrants and their structure (number of  immigrants from a particular country of origin and structure, EU vs. third countries). The emphasis was put also on the size of the localities. If there are bigger neighbourhoods with migrants, how large/small the main cities in the regions are, and also whether there are any actors/institutions influential to migrants. Afterwards three localities were selected:

1. Bratislava – Nové Mesto (neighbourhood), example of the city neighbourhood with very high share of foreign population with already existing integration activities and institutions including NGOs;
2. The town of Senec, a city with slightly over-average share of foreigners but high diversity of foreigners;
3. The city of Prievidza, a town with an average share of foreigners, geographically marginalized, with remarkable diversity of foreigners, very similar to Slovakian structure of foreigners, and at the same time with very underdeveloped infrastructure and policies which could potentially support integration process.

In the three regions research was conducted as well as multicultural evenings where research findings were discussed with inhabitants, migrants and representatives of local governments including discussions about potential good practises and local integration programmes.

The main result was the publication "Migrants in the City. Present and (in)visible". One seminar for experts, academia, NGO and government representatives. Three “multicultural” evenings in each of the researched localities.

Evaluation of the project was from a methodological point of view internal auto-evaluation. The research team IVO on the base of set indicators and continuous monitoring assessed project with internal capacities. The evaluation includes both assessments of the outcomes as well as problems. From a methodological point of view the evaluation included both formative and summative features. Components of formative evaluation applied were mainly research activities realised during the project with the main objective to find out the impact of selected project activities to a target group. Another aspect of the formative evaluation was the systematic collection of data and monitoring of the project during the whole project duration.

The most significant output of the project was improvement of the broader framework for social and cultural integration of foreigners from third countries through analysis and evaluation of integration policies and through findings from case studies – in-depth qualitative research in three localities. Diversity forums (“multicultural evenings”) not only presented research findings but directly involved different players in selected communities to share views and ideas. Last but not least the publication is a very useful tool for a broad range of stakeholders – migrants, majority population, representatives of government and self-government, experts, academicians, students, NGOs, etc.

European Fund for Integration of the Third-country Nationals, 58 858,38 €