Integration of migrants in Europe: challenges and actions of the IN2PREV project

Since more than one million refugees arrived in Europe in 2015, the refugee crisis is significantly impacting the entire region. On a regular basis, thousands of asylum seekers from war-torn countries arrive in Europe, struggling with the challenges of integration and adaptation. The year 2022 has brought new difficulties due to the conflict in Ukraine, from where millions of people have fled to neighbouring countries. It is estimated that this number could reach 5 million.

According to research by the Radicalisation Awareness Network, refugees may be exposed to risk factors related to radicalisation processes due to experiences from their countries of origin, challenges during their journey to Europe and expectations of the situation in countries of settlement. These factors include insecure residence status, delays in settlement, public discrimination, identity crisis, and the burden of the past as a trigger for mental health problems.

European Union actions and initiatives

These risks can be reduced through the implementation of inclusive policies by various actors, including NGOs and law enforcement agencies, and by strengthening security. There are two main objectives in different regions of Europe: to ensure that refugee assistance meets short-term and immediate needs and to counter the spread of misinformation and the undermining of trust in refugees.

An important step towards achieving these goals was the establishment of the IN2PREV project, which aims to counter radicalisation among refugees and asylum seekers. This initiative aims to facilitate the integration of these people and prevent radicalisation through the early identification of risk factors. These tasks are carried out by promoting collaboration between frontline staff, developing a tool to assess vulnerability to radicalisation, developing a mentoring programme and training practitioners.

Key Results of the IN2PREV Project

As part of the IN2PREV project, the consortium has developed two key deliverables:

• The FEVR-SES ( Frontline Extremism Vulnerability Risk - Structured Evaluation Screening) tool : The FEVR-SES instrument is used to assess vulnerability and risk factors for radicalisation in refugees and asylum seekers, with the aim of signalling any risks as early as possible to contribute to countering them and to a successful integration process. The tool is designed for the work of uniformed services and public institution staff.
• The ‘Mentoring Approach for Refugees’ and Asylum Seekers’ Successful Inclusion programme’ (M4-Rinc Integration Assurance Programme): This programme aims to address the needs and challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers during the integration process. It also seeks to establish a close relationship between mentor and mentee, providing the latter with both soft and hard skills to deal with everyday situations, problems and conflicts. Hard skills include supporting mentees to access and effectively use achievable social and state resources and opportunities. The mentoring programme is dedicated to employees of public institutions and NGOs.

Training

The initiative's consortium is pleased to announce ground-breaking training courses to empower law enforcement agencies, public institutions and NGOs in the field.

Here is what we are offering:
🔹 Course ‘Facilitating refugees and asylum seekers' integration through mentoring’
Learn how to support successful integration through mentoring programmes.
🔹 Course ‘Preventing and identifying vulnerability factors to radicalisation in refugees and asylum seekers’
Equip yourself with tools to prevent radicalisation and identify vulnerability factors in refugee and asylum seeker communities.

The courses are free of charge, delivered in English, in e-learning format and are open to practitioners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.

The courses are available for delivery until 30 November 2024.

Completion of each course offers the opportunity to attend a training session in Granada, Bratislava or Poznan. Travel costs for these training sessions will be covered by the project.