The first 23 families enrolled in Spain's pioneering labour migration project - established within the framework of the national resettlement plan - recently arrived from Nicaragua. This initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, the Valladolid Provincial Council, and Accem NGO, marks a significant step in fostering regulated and secure migration pathways.

These people, identified by UNHCR and IOM for their need of international protection in Costa Rica, have embarked on a new journey towards integration. Minister Elma Saiz expressed profound satisfaction in the project's progress so far, highlighting Spain's commitment to refugee acceptance and its productive networks, and thanking Spanish society and the Valladolid Provincial Council for offering direct employment opportunities in rural areas of Castilla y León in order to address labour shortages.

On 3 May the Council of Ministers made the decision to expand Spain's national resettlement programme for refugees, facilitating the approval of an additional arrival route, particularly from Central and South America. The aim of these complementary labour mobility pathways is to provide refugees and their families with the necessary conditions for autonomy through viable employment opportunities.

The selection and relocation of these families - comprising 68 individuals - was executed in coordination with UNHCR and IOM, ensuring a smooth transition to their new home. At the airport in Spain, the State Secretariat for Migration oversees the reception process, directing individuals to the Ministry of Inclusion-managed reception resources in the Valladolid province. The initiative further involves the collaboration of 11 institutions, organisations, and reception entities, showcasing a unified approach to fostering a more inclusive society.

This groundbreaking step underscores Spain's commitment to humanitarian efforts, paving the way for a more comprehensive and sustainable resettlement framework for refugees.