Valencia“Agermanament Comunitari Valencià” – an example of multilevel and multi-stakeholder cooperation on reception procedures

Contact

Generalitat Valencia Department ‘Igualtat en la Diversitat: Política Migratòria’

E-Mail: migracions@gva.es

How does it operate?

The UNHCR first initiated the project in 2016 in Canada. Before it was launched in Valencia it was also set up in the Basque Country. Two aspects of the programme in particular stand out. First, it is a truly participatory project as it involves international, regional and local administration, as well as NGOs and local individuals. Second, migration is conceived as a two-way process. Newcomers are offered the possibility of living with a host family and learning the culture, language and values of the host society. At the same time, the local population actively seeks a mutual exchange that allows them to find out more about the life stories of the new migrants.

Who initiated the project? How?

The regional government of Valencia initiated the project to host refugees and encouraged host families to get involved in the process. It is a collaboration between the Valencian Regional Ministry for Equality and Inclusive Policies, the Spanish Ministry for Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the social initiatives “Servei Jesuïta a Migrants Spain”,” Càritas Diocesana Segorbe-Castelló, Orihuela-Alacant and València”.

What is the outcome?

The pilot project was evaluated by the University of Valencia in a final report in 2023. The overall assessment of the programme is positive despite some challenges (including the pandemic situation). Four of the five participating families found their own flat after the stay in their host families and at least one family member from each family was able to integrate into the labour market. The programme supports the intensive exchange between the 'long-established' and the 'newcomers', creates social networks that serve as support in everyday life and thus contributes to the social inclusion of refugees. As a result, the 'community sponsorship model' was introduced as a reception programme in Valencia.