Promoting the integration of migrants at local level through digital skills

CONTEXTThe strong rights framework enjoyed within the EU, unfortunately implies that the process of settling in is easier for those holding an EU citizenship than for Third-Country Nationals (TCNs). The reality is frequently different; for TCNs, the rights they have been accorded can be difficult to enforce in practice. In addition, TCNs have many integration needs while access to fundamental information and services is sometimes limited at a Local or Regional level, despite the effort provided so far. Orientation information concerning life in their new countries is hard to be accessed, since a bridge among Local societies (expressed through Local Administration) is not been established. But integration is also about community and society, and there is a need to ensure the ready availability of public services for all residents in a particular town or city, and the cohesiveness of increasingly diverse communities. To date, the integration of TCNs as a specific target group has not been widely discussed, either at EU or national levels.Within this reality, the Digi-Path project establishes the principle of a two-way process, to foster the successful inclusion and participation of TCNs and their family members in the host EU country's civic and social life and their access to the same information / and employment opportunities of the nationals.OBJECTIVESDigi-Path has a primary objective to foster the successful inclusion and participation of TCNs and their family members in the host EU country's civic and social life providing equal access to information and services that will increase their well-being in the hosting societies. This is going to be achieved through supplementary objectives that include: - Increase of capacity of the Public Administration Authorities & Experts in local level in the participating countries to enable and facilitate the access of TCNs to a number of civic and other services (access to the labour market and relevant rights, professional guidance, family planning, available benefits, social insurance, registry etc) in the host countries; - Improve of the availability, awareness and participation of TCNs in civic activities in their host communities;NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS - At least 20 National, Regional and Local Public Administration Proffesionals - At least 50 Third Country Nationals (TCNs) are going to be included in the Digi-Path activities - At least 250 local / hosting society members are goign to participate in the Multiplier Activities - At least 100 stakeholders reached out and be infrormed about the outcomes of the Digi-Path Project ACTIVITIES - Implementation of 4 IOs, that are going to result to the production of 1 interactive on-line game, to facilitate upskilling of TCNs and increase their social integration level in the hosting societies - Design of OER for the upskilling of Public Administration Professionals, to enhance their service provision level towards TCNs when interacting with them - Joint Staff Training for selected Public Admin Staff and Adult Educators in the effective use of the Project outcomes to facilitate upskilling of TCNs and their integration in the hosting societies - Multiplier events to engage TCNs, Public Admin Staff and STakeholders, including members of the hosting societies, targeting in their active involvement in the social integration of TCN activities. RESULTS - Direct involvement of Third Country Nationals in the Local Activities with access to all the services that are also targeting TCNs, emphasising on educational and social activities, including those for unrepresented groups such as women and young people; - Improved knowledge on the cultural, political, social, financial and religious issues in the area of living; - Improved basic skills, including the use of digital skills for accessing local/regional administrative services;IMPACT o Improved acceptance of TCN into activities organized and implemented at a local level; o Acceptance, tolerance, cooperation and other virtues will be cultivated in hosting societies, so that they will embrace TCN in their daily life and enhance their participation in civic activities in their host societies, such as volunteering groups and local decision-making bodies, including school boards and community organisations;LONG-TERM BENEFITSThe Digi-Path project in the long term will boost local governance through the active participation of TCNs in local societies. Active integration of TCNs into local societies results to a new, productive learning process, where the first are going to become active members of the second, increasing social welfare, strengthening security at local level and enhancing responsibility sharing at local level.