The European Integration Network (EIN) hosted its seventh meeting on 19 and 20 November 2019 in Helsinki. Over 35 representatives from EU Member States and Norway met to discuss innovative ways to finance migrant integration and how to ensure sustainable, adequate and affordable housing for migrants.

The meeting was kicked off with a welcome by Mr Antti Neimala, Director General of the Employment and Well-Functioning Markets Department, on behalf of the Finnish Presidency of the EU, who stated that migrants strengthen human capital and attracting and retaining their talent is therefore an indication of a country’s commitment to being inclusive, competent and sustainable—socially, economically and ecologically.

On the first day of the meeting, EIN members discussed innovative possibilities for financing migrant integration initiatives. Mr Grzegorz Gajewski of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG-HOME), gave an overview of existing tools such as microfinance and social entrepreneurship. Ms Susanna Piepponen then presented KOTO, the first social impact bond to support migrant integration in Europe.

The meeting also highlighted the InvestEU programme, which will trigger more than € 650 billion in additional investment across the EU between 2021–2027, with ‘social investment and skills’ being one of its four policy areas. Mr Antoine Savary and Ms Justyna Glodowska-Wernert of DG-HOME provided an overview of ongoing EU funding activities.

The second day focused on approaches to housing for migrants and refugees. Dr Darinka Czischke of Delft University of Technology presented on challenges and innovative initiatives, followed by presentations of projects from Belgium (Flanders), Poland, Norway, Austria, Italy, France and Denmark. In addition to the discussions, EIN members visited Helsinki Skills Centre Integration to learn about the city’s housing policies and the centre’s concept and results.

The European Integration Network brings together representatives of national public authorities from all 28 EU countries, Iceland and Norway. Its primary role is to promote cooperation among EU Member States and to foster dialogue with European, national, local and regional authorities, as well as civil society organisations. Learn more