Stakeholder meeting in Postojna

The Municipality of Postojna is actively participating in the MILEstone project, which aims to improve policies and strategic documents to create job opportunities and encourage entrepreneurship for non-EU citizens. As part of this initiative, the Municipality recently organized a stakeholder meeting focused on exchanging ideas and finding solutions to better integrate migrants into the local community, enhancing their living conditions.

During the meeting, stakeholders discussed successful practices from abroad, particularly from Greece and Sweden, where representatives from the Municipality met with other project partners to share knowledge. The discussions also highlighted local successes and challenges. One major challenge identified was the language barrier. Migrants often struggle to obtain all necessary initial information due to the language gap. To address this, stakeholders proposed establishing an entry point where migrants can receive clear initial guidance for living and working in the area, provided in multiple languages. This entry point could take the form of a virtual office or a counselor who coordinates with all public institutions in the local area to help migrants integrate formally into the community.

Furthermore, it was noted that the demand for Slovenian language courses exceeds current capacity. Increasing the number of course hours would facilitate better integration of migrants, thereby contributing to greater community cohesion and improving the quality of life for all residents.

Benefits of the MILEstone Project for Postojna

The MILEstone project offers numerous benefits for the Municipality of Postojna. Participation in the project provides the opportunity to learn best practices from other European countries and adapt them to local needs. Peer reviews will enable the exchange of good practices among partners, aiding in the development of local policies and strategies. In October, representatives from the Municipality, along with stakeholders, will attend a meeting in Germany hosted by the District of Burgenlandkreis, the lead partner of the project. In February, Postojna will host project partners and stakeholders, further strengthening its role in the project.

Through the MILEstone project, the Municipality aims to create a more connected and inclusive community. The project is carried out under the Interreg Europe program and co-funded by the European Union.