FoyerNGOs and cities working together for integration of

migrants

Integrating Cities VI ConferenceSeptember 2013

Ann Trappers, Integration Centre Foyer

FOYERMaking integration work in Brussels

The Foyer familyRegional Integration Centre•Interculturalisation & social cohesion

•Legal Support•Roma & Travellers Service

Dar Al Amal women’s centre

Foyer des Jeunes

Foyer Youth Work Team & BIS Foyer

integration through sports

Foyer Training Centre & T-Impact

Neighbourhood workshop

Foyer’s Mission

To contribute to a society that takes a positive approach to diversity and in which all citizens can participate equally,

regardless of their background

The Foyer Approach

• Strengthen social cohesion…

• … by informing people about diversity and by…

• …supporting & reinforcing the work of grassroots organizations and dynamics…

• … and let a real and concrete understanding of multiculturalism and interculturalism inform policy recommendations.

EXAMPLES OF OUR WORK

T-Impact

Part-time work experience for 15- to 18-year-olds through "bridging projects". Pupils work 20 h/week in an external organization, which enables them to - develop working skills and

attitudes- gain a small income- make real contact with the

labour market

BIS Award

A personal development project for disadvantaged youth. Over the course of three years, participants set their own goals and improve their skills in the fields of- study- sports- volunteering

Brussels in Dialogue

An annual event in which people of a wide variety of backgrounds are brought together to get to know one another and share experiences, dreams and concrete ideas relating to life in Brussels.

Roma Mediation Service

Foyer’s Roma Service coordinates a team of mediators, most of whom are of Roma origin. They facilitate contact between Roma families, schools, services and institutions.

Case study: integration of Roma migrants in Brussels

Thank you for your attention!

The Roma mediators

Make contact with families, gain trust, detect needs & communicate to coordinator, social worker

& researcher

Conflicting loyalties may make it difficult to strike

the right balance

Realtively easy access to Roma , also in very

precarious situations -> "backbone" of Roma

service

The researcher

Collect information on demographics,

background and current situation of families.

Report to coordinator

Reliance on estimates and small samples

Can bring together data from wide variety of

sources

The NGO coordinator

Collect data, coach team, bring together significant local stakeholders (local

govt., social services, police, ...)

Must gain credibility and the trust of many different actors & persuade them to

collaborate

Politically, ideologically and linguistically

independent, flexible

The trainers

Develop information and training sessions for civil

servants, police officers and other profesionals dealing

with Roma issues

Challenge of communicating complex subject matter; may

face resistance/prejudiced reactions

Well-placed to counter misundertstandings

regarding Roma

The communication

specialist

Together with mediator, bring accurate and unbiased

information on the situation in the media

Always be vigilant: avoid misrepresentation and

confusion

Well-placed to counter misunderstandings regarding

Roma

The neighbourhood

workersget to know the local

network, and, with help of Roma mediator, refer families

to relevant services & facilities

Challenge of keeping finger on the pulse in complex and

fast-changing urban environment

May pave the way for new collaborations; often the first

to spot opportunities and problems

The stakeholder network

Develop coordinated approach; ensure consistent

communication to Roma families

Many different approaches and points of view to be considered

Concrete, effective action can be taken thanks to consistent

approach

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SchoolsCreate welcoming environment for

children & parents; follow up on attendance

Concern over education standards, reluctance to take on children with

multi-problematic background

Often the first and most obvious contact point between families and "mainstream

society" -> integration opportunities

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