Project Summary EN

22 Policy Paper The aim of the INTEGR8 Policy Paper is to make recommendations to policy makers on the potential role that migrant women can play in contributing to the integration of migrants when they are properly trained and supported to do so. The Paper has been informed by a questionnaire completed by those attending the Migrant Integration Seminars in each partner country. The policy implications from the Project can be summarised as follows: • The approach adopted by the Project is one of several measures that would be required for a successful integration process, with the bottom-up as opposed to top-down institution-led approach favoured due to the current reduction in government resources to support integration across EU states; • Application of the approach and resources can be applied in the national context, both to improve existing practice and influence future decision- making processes, recognising the important role of and need to mobilise communities to promote integration; • Using women as migration integration experts is both cost-effective and sustainable once the micro-social networks have been established, recognising the important role women can play in community development and fostering community cohesion; • The suite of resources developed represent good practice drawn from 7 EU member states, are complimentary, flexible, inclusive and represent a holistic approach to addressing the needs of both migrant women but also those educators providing support to them; • High value should be placed on achieving close cooperation amongst EU nations to reach common goals to support integration, and the Project provides an effective model to do so; and • Policy makers should use the results from the Project to shape future actions on migrant integration. Recommendations made by the Paper are as follows: • Support migrant women to play an increased role in achieving integration, by properly training and helping them; • Foster the integration of migrant women by addressing existing barriers, including language difficulties, literacy and cultural differences; • Put in place the needed support to foster the networking of migrant women and thus address the integration gap at community level, use appropriate models of support together with necessary resources; and