News
Policy Brief “Private Sponsorship for Integration: Building a European Model” Now Available in French and Italian Languages
The project partners have released the French and Italian versions of the policy brief “Private Sponsorship for Integration: Building a European Model.” The publication, which focuses on humanitarian corridors, seeks to raise awareness about the benefits of community/private sponsorship programs (PSPs) for social cohesion and the integration of persons in need of protection and to encourage and inform the development and growth of sponsorship programs across Europe. For more information, please read the full text of the publication.
Eurodiaconia and Partners Release Policy Brief “Private Sponsorship for Integration: Building a European Model”
Eurodiaconia, together with its members Diaconia Valdese (Italy), the Fédération de l’Entraide Protestante (France) and our other project partners – the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, Oxfam Italia, Confronti, Idos, Piedmont Region, and Safe Passage are launching a policy brief titled “Private Sponsorship for Integration: Building a European Model.” The publication, which focuses on humanitarian corridors, seeks to raise awareness about the benefits of community/private sponsorship programs (PSPs) for social cohesion and the integration of persons in need of protection and to encourage and inform the development and growth of sponsorship programs across Europe. Read more…
Safe Passage: Focus Group Workshop Report
Safe Passage has released a new report on AMIF-funded “PPI Private sponsorship for integration: building an European model project” – a Europe-wide project which aims to develop and assess the impact of ‘humanitarian corridors’ for refugees to Europe, focusing on private and community sponsorship schemes. The organisation is involved in the process of sharing learning and best practice, by conducting and disseminating research on community sponsorship schemes in the UK, through deskbased research and focus groups/interviews with participants. Citizens UK and Sponsor Refugees, as the largest Lead Sponsor in the UK, has been commissioned to co-ordinate the Focus Groups.
Webinar on “Humanitarian Corridors: Methods of Construction and Implementation of the Model”
On the 18th of November, Diaconia Valdese held a webinar aimed at explaining some key elements of the Humanitarian Corridors to potentially interested partners. The agenda for the event included:-
- presentation by Tavola Valdese on the motivations behind the project support, actions to make the project implementation possible, challenges and victories of the model;
- presentation by Commissione Sinodale per la Diaconia, which deals with reception, on the importance of the project for the organisation;
- presentation by Commissione Sinodale per la Diaconia, which deals with reception, on the intervention by the coordinator of the Humanitarian Corridors teams on how the reception projects are organized; strengths and weaknesses of their work;
- presentation by one beneficiary on the positive impact of the program on people’s lives and on their professional and academic careers;
- Q&A session;
Webinar on the Humanitarian Corridor
Project partners Diaconia Valdese and Regione Piemonte are organising a webinar titled “Humanitarian Corridors: An Innovative Model for Reception” due to take place on the 30th of September 2020 between 10-11:30 am.
The event will include presentation of the project, personal stories from the beneficiaries and the launch of a study on the primary achievements of the initiative.
Impact Assessment of Humanitarian Corridors Program: Primary Achievements in Italy and France
Forced displacement is a phenomenon that is affecting a rapidly growing amount of people. Despite the increasing numbers, host societies have not shown much willingness to increase integration measures. In this context, Humanitarian Corridors (HC) programs have proven an effective solution in fostering community and societal support for refugees.
Project partners Confronti and Idos have released an impact assessment report consisting of two case studies. They focus on the impact of the HC program experience in Italy and France both for the host communities and on the integration of the newcomers. The assessment is based on interviews and consultations with persons directly concerned.
The analysis shows that the HC program grants fast and effective protection to people in danger and confirms it as a best practice model for integration in the host society.
PRESS RELEASE: Eurodiaconia Calls for Support for the Development of Humanitarian Corridors
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, Eurodiaconia, together with its members Diaconia Valdese (Italy), the Fédération de l’Entraide Protestante (France) and our other project partners – the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, Oxfam Italia, Confronti, Idos, Piedmont Region, and Safe Passage – are calling on the EU and national governments to ensure support for the development and expansion of Humanitarian Corridors (HC), which provide additional and durable solutions to international and humanitarian protection needs while also facilitating the social inclusion of its beneficiaries.
Radio program on Humanitarian Corridors form the European Parliament
Project partner FEP was one of the guest speakers at the event.
The Humanitarian Corridors in the Times of COVID
A detailed account from project partner Mediterranean Hope of how they are adapting their programmes during COVID-19.
“Direct contact with the asylum-seekers we support cannot currently take place. […]Many are using the time to continue online language tuition. […] Those involved in advocacy work are no longer in a position to travel. […] However, there is much that can be done remotely. We continue to lobby with respect to our proposal for European Humanitarian Corridors and to negotiate the renewal of the existing Memorandum of Understanding with the Italian government regarding the corridors already operating here.”
When Citizens Host Refugees
In order to better assess and evaluate the Humanitarian Corridors, project partner the Fédération de l’Entraide Protestante together with other organisations conducted a survey on the impact on Welcomed persons and Host groups. It served as a basis for a list of recommendations to address the gaps and improve the project outcomes.
Volunteer Refugee Hosting Initiatives
Activity report for the period of 2017-2018: The aim of this report is to evaluate the work done by project partner the Fédération de l’Entraide Protestante and its member associations with regards to the humanitarian corridors programme, which hosted its first refugees in July 2017. It focuses on the volunteer refugee hosting programme which has three main goals: to allow more refugees who have fled Syria and Iraq headed for Lebanon to find safety in France ; to invite, support and develop solidarity drives involving Christian and non-Christian community networks to ensure unconditional acceptance ; to help newcomers to settle and integrate into the country by giving them a warm and friendly welcome.This website was funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund
