Project Summary EN

4 Introduction The following represents a Project Summary for the INTEGR8 – ‘Harnessing the Potential of Migrant Women as Integration Experts’ project. This provides an overview of the Project, setting out the rationale upon which the Project was based, an overview of the key resources that have been produced and the delivery outputs that have been achieved. The rationale for the INTEGR8 Project The European Union has always experienced migration, both between members states and from outside of the area. In recent times, Europe has been struggling to cope with the large-scale influx of migrants, many of whom have been displaced due to persecution, conflict or violence in their country of origin. Figures published by Eurostat for 2017 show that 650,000 first-time asylum seekers applied for protection in the EU, with 538,000 being granted this. This refugee crisis has created a disproportionate burden in some member countries, with differences of opinion as to how best to support those seeking asylum at both a national and EU-wide level. Many existing government initiatives to address the issues arising have failed to achieve the necessary civic and social integration of new minority ethnic groups, resulting in these individuals not effectively assimilating into their new countries. Amongst the challenges faced by new immigrants is a lack of knowledge about the civic, social and political systems that exist in new countries, and a lack of connectivity to networks that exist outside of their own communities. This can lead to their social exclusion, particularly in respect to accessing employment, education, health and social services. For policy interventions to be successful, there is a need for migration into the EU to be better managed, with greater collaboration between member states to effectively coordinate this. Through a new European Agenda on Migration, and recognising that a fair and equitable society remains at the core of the EU 2020 Strategy, there is a need for innovative solutions to fostering the effective integration of migrants.