Webinar: Migrant Integration & SALAM Project Spotlight
As Europe continues to navigate the complex dynamics of migration, local communities remain at the heart of integration efforts. On 15 May, the Policy Learning Platform will host a timely and insightful webinar on the Social Integration of Migrants, gathering experts, practitioners, and regional authorities to share good practices and innovative approaches.
Migration continues to shape Europe’s demographic and social landscape. As of 1 January 2023, 27.3 million people, representing 6.1% of the EU’s population, were non-EU citizens. In 2023, two key developments dominated the European migration debate: the war in Ukraine, and a sharp increase in irregular arrivals and asylum applications. With over 4.3 million Ukrainian refugees now residing in EU Member States and nearly one million asylum applications filed in the first ten months of 2023 alone, integration efforts are more vital than ever.
While migration policy is forged at the national level, integration is a local challenge—and opportunity. Cities, municipalities, and regions are the first responders in delivering education, housing, social welfare, and community engagement for newcomers. This webinar aims to highlight practical, community-level strategies to support migrant integration through collaboration, inclusivity, and shared learning.
Highlight: The SALAM Project – Integration Strategy in Action
As the keynote speaker, we proudly feature Adnan Abdul Ghani, Project Manager and Migration Expert at Save the Children, Sweden, representing the SALAM project.
His talk, "Integration strategy in action: empowering change through co-creation and a child-centered approach", will shed light on how the SALAM project drives meaningful integration through participatory models and tailored support for migrant families. The SALAM project stands out for its commitment to co-creation with local communities and its strong focus on children’s well-being, offering a replicable model for sustainable, grassroots integration.
The webinar will also showcase two outstanding Interreg Europe projects:
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John Hobbs, Senior Lecturer at Munster Technological University, will present “Nasc: New Beginnings, Children & Families Project” from the SIRM project (Ireland).
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Tomasz Dudziński, Regional Labour Office in Szczecin, will introduce “Together we can do more” from the MILEstone project (Poland).
Each presentation will offer valuable lessons and replicable practices to improve migrant integration across European regions.