Front line: Understanding migration and building cohesive societies

Rural Development for Employment
June 24, 2020
Rethinking the Environment and Migrant Inclusion (REMI)
February 19, 2021

Project description

The main aim of this project was to help adult education practitioners working with adult migrants to gain a greater understanding of the important role that Adult education plays in the inclusion process of migrants and people with disadvantaged backgrounds when settling in European countries. Through the participation in the trainings offered in Greece, Spain and the virtual training in the UK, participants learnt about different adults education methods used by the host countries to promote:

  • more efficient educational and inclusion methods,
  • techniques, tools and activities to help the local communities to overcome prejudices and fears;
  • tackle false news around migrants and establishing strong relationships with the new comers through the promotion of common educational paths and share of culture and traditions.
  • having a better understand of mental health issues that arise both among migrants and staff and understand how to help and what to do.

The main objectives were the following:

  • Providing an adequate training to the staff of the consortium members in their daily work with migrants.
  • Developing new educational skills and methodologies in the adult education sector especially tailored to work with disadvantaged groups;
  • Creating a network of organisations sharing common European values; and creation of a common adult education path to be used when working with adult migrants;
  • Exploring ways of how to cope with the pressure and the psychological distress that comes when working in emergency and highly pressure environments
  • Helping incoming people overcome language or document related barriers withe the help of well trained local volunteers;
  • Understanding the importance of recognising and fighting hate speech against migrants; and using adult education opportunities to help the local communities
    overcome fears and prejudices about migrants
  • Deepening of the cooperation among the members of the consortium and these and other organisations on the territory in which they operate, be it at local, national
    and international level.

Implementation: the the first training took place online in March 2021 hosted by the UK host organization Kairos Europe. In Autumn 2021 there were the first physical activities in Spain hosted by INCOMA. In 2022 there were 2 flows in Greece in May and September hosted by Inter Alia and 2 flows in Spain in June and September hosted by INCOMA. In every country there was a focus on different aspects that have to be taken in consideration when working with migrants: from first reception to the role of education, online
Hate Speech, staff welfare and mental health, volunteering Several dissemination activities took place virtually and physically both on local and international levels.
Finally in October 2022 Itaka training participated in the Erasmusdays2022 #generAzioni organized by its local partner European Innovation POINT that is very active in the Erasmusplus programme. Project outcomes and participants’ feedback were share widely.

Project results

  • Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FrontLineErasmus
  • Project webpage http://www.itakatraining.org/front-line-understanding-migration-and-building-cohesive-societies/
  • Acquired new methodologies/techniques for promoting common adult education paths across Europe while working with migrants
  • Participants have been equipped with the right intercultural awareness and communication skills necessary to relate with people from diverse linguistic and cultural
    background
  • Establishment of new projects (we are now working with our local and EU partners on mobilities for our accredited 2021-2022 adult mobility projects as well as on new KA2 for the 2023 call)
  • We have established new partnership with local and international organizations dealing with refugees, local communities, and volunteers
  • We have a clearer understanding of the fundamental role that innovative approaches in adult education can play in helping local community to become more welcoming by creating common spaces and tackle segregation and homelessness
  • Participants are more confident in their job and acquired new methods to manage stress and overwhelming when working in emergency situations. This will have a waterfall effect on staff and community well-being

Articles published on local media:

Article 1: Diversità elemento di vita

Article 2: Understanding Migration and Building Cohesive Societies

Photo gallery

Here are some photos from the various activities organised during the project:

Testimonials

Being part of “Front Line” training course has been an amazing experience. We had the chance to share testimonies, experiences and strategies among participants who work in the welcoming for migrants. Trying to put aside stereotypes and beliefs, everyone made an effort in order to build the capacity of the group in terms of skills and knowledge. Being available to listen other points of view can make a real possibility to create new paths of inclusion with respect for all human beings. ” (Miriam)