In brief: Action plan on inclusion and integration

What you need to know?

In November 2020, the European Commission published its Action plan on Inclusion and Integration. The document is clear about fostering social cohesion and building inclusive societies with migrants, and it adds a new specific reference to EU citizens with a migrant background.

In the integration and inclusion of migrants, the local level plays a key role in welcoming and guiding newcomers when they first arrive in their new country. Maximising EU added value through multi-stakeholder partnerships and supporting all other integration actors through funding, developing practical tools, coordinating actions and establishing relevant partnerships is the key role of the EU.

This action plan is part of the comprehensive response to tackling the challenges linked to migration put forward in the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. The action plan is divided into actions on four themes: education, employment, health and housing. Five cross-topical areas are addressed: Partnerships, EU funding, social participation, monitoring, new technologies and digital tools.

RECOGNITION OF THE CEMR CONTRIBUTION

Together with the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Action Plan represents the overall structure of a new European common framework for migration and integration issues. Designing the Action Plan has been an intense process based on the results of 2016 action plan on the integration of third-country nationals and takes it a step further by presenting new actions and a stronger framework for promoting integration and inclusion. CEMR participated in the consultation between DG Migration and Home Affairs, together with the representatives of Local and Regional governments. Several challenges have been identified during the session, most notably:

  • the move from emergencies to long-term strategies;
  • the shift from a quick labour market integration to sustainable self-reliance and economic independence;
  • the need to secure long-term structural funding (EU funding, often short-term and project based);
  • the need to improve access to health, including mental health;
  • the improvements in the recognition of qualifications;
  • the shift away from negative attitudes towards migration, anti-migrant rhetoric and sentiment.

Ensuring that migrants and EU citizens with a migrant background can fully participate and contribute to the civil society is key to the future well-being, prosperity and cohesion of European societies.

With this action plan, the Commission sets out a strong framework to strengthen integration and inclusion policies across the EU, thus contributing to the broader social inclusion agenda, In implementing this action plan, the Commission will work closely with Member States, local and regional authorities, civil society organisations, social and economic partners, the private sector, host communities, diaspora organisations and migrants.

To ensure full transparency on the implementation of the action plan, the Commission developed an interactive online platform, the European Website on Integration, to monitor progress and allow for contributions from a wider range of partners.

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Read the full summary here.