Many people forced to leave their homes because of conflict and persecution seek safety in Europe. Some come to join family or looking for new opportunities. Others arrive via organised protection programmes, while some are victims of human trafficking. ICMC Europe works to support newcomers and the communities that receive them by promoting partnerships with European and national institutions, civil society organizations, and community and faith-based groups. We seek to open hearts and doors to welcome refugees and migrants.
Building Welcoming Communities for Refugees
The Share Network supports cities, towns, and smaller and rural communities willing to welcome refugees and migrants. Share works to expand refugee resettlement and complementary pathways of admission. It offers training to local communities and promotes community-based sponsorship. Engaging with European, national and local networks and stakeholders, it coordinates best practice exchange, conducts research on integration and ensures the voices of refugees and migrants are heard.
Expanding Integration for Newcomers in Rural Areas
Europe’s rural areas are making an increasingly important contribution to welcoming refugees and migrants, but can lack the resources and expertise to support their welcome and orientation. The Share SIRA project fosters integration and inclusion in 10 rural regions in four European countries. The project works with regional and local actors – regional and local authorities, civil society organizations, migrants, refugees and local communities – to promote newcomers’ participation in social life through multi-stakeholder collaboration and pilot new integration approaches that contribute to rural development.
Supporting Community Sponsorship Initiatives
Over the past years, several countries have launched community-based refugee sponsorship programs to help reduce the gap between urgent refugee resettlement needs and resettlement opportunities offered by States. The Share QSN project supports such initiatives in seven European countries, and advocates at European level for policies that promote more and better community sponsorship. It organizes workshops and activities that promote leadership, capacity-building, awareness-raising, evidence-based programme development and collaboration between the various actors involved in developing these programs.
Discover the SHARE Network
ICMC Europe’s platform on refugee resettlement and migrant inclusion
For Welcoming and Fair European Policy
Global refugee needs are at an all-time high, and Europe should play a leading role in ensuring protection and the respect of human rights. To prevent further deaths at sea, ICMC Europe advocates for greater solidarity and more humane and effective EU asylum and migration policy. Join Share in advocating for more resettlement opportunities and complementary admission pathways for refugees in Europe, and better conditions for refugee and migrant integration.
Enabling Evidence-Based Policy and Practice
Effective policymaking and practice depend on good data. Together with partner organizations, ICMC Europe conducts research and maps successful practices in migration and development, human trafficking, refugee resettlement and complementary admission pathways, and refugee and migrant integration. Research findings provide the base of evidence for our advocacy and inform our ability to build the capacity of practitioners and governments.
Promoting Migration and Development in West Africa
ICMC Europe’s Migration and Development (MADE) West Africa project promotes diaspora engagement, protection of migrants’ rights and good mobility governance in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Through workshops and seed funds, it builds the capacity of local organizations in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. To prevent human trafficking, MADE West Africa fosters fair recruitment and legal migration opportunities.
Statements
Statement
NGOs Call for Action To Protect Children at EU Borders
December 10, 2021
Advocacy Asylum Child Protection Family Migration Policy Unaccompanied Minors
ICMC Europe and over 20 other NGOs urge governments to protect migrant children at Europe’s borders. Solidarity and responsibility-sharing in the EU asylum and migration system must prioritize safe routes to family reunion and international protection, not containment, pushbacks and returns.
DownloadStatement
Call on the EU: Restore rights and values at Europe’s borders
November 29, 2021
Advocacy Asylum Migration Policy Returns
In a joint statement, ICMC Europe, the SHARE Network, and over 100 other organizations urge the EU and its member States to respond to the humanitarian crisis at the border with Belarus in a way that ensures people’s right to asylum and guarantees humanitarian access.
