1. Caritas International
Integration of recognized
refugees in Belgium
Integrating Cities VI
9-10 september 2013
Tampere, Finland
European Refugee
Fund

2. Target : Vulnerable refugee groups
1) Refugees recognized in closed centers
2) Refugees coming through resettlement
3) Other vulnerable groups :
- Single mothers
- Non accompanied minors
- Medical or psychological problems
- No network, language knowledge,
analphabetism, etc.
Integration Cell

3. Target groups
66
49%
49
36%
20
15%
Refugees recognized in
closed centers
Refugees fromvulnerable
groups
Resettled refugees
Statistics period januari 2013-June 2013
Integration Cell
European Refugee
Fund

4. Statistics period januari 2013-June 2013
Integration Cell
Country of origin
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
PalestineG
uinée
Syrie
Iraq
C
hine
EritreaSom
alie
Afghanistan
C
ongo
IranC
am
eroon
IranR
w
anda
TurkeySriLankaG
am
bia
M
arocAlbania
European Refugee
Fund

5. Our work: Personalized assistance in the
integration process
-Information about status, rights and obligations
-Support for house search
-Securing basic needs and administratives steps
-School, language classes and training
-Vulnerable groups: Referral to specialised services
- Setting in local network
-Information-sessions (housing, energy,waste,
budget management…)
- Collective activities
Integration Cell
European Refugee
Fund

6. Integration coach: “Taylor-made”
assistance
-Reference/information person
-Trust person
-Middle person, making links (owner, social
services…)
- Accompanying on the field
- Orientation, “put on tracks”
- Taylor-made: Adapting to each one’s needs
Integration Cell
European Refugee
Fund

7. -Many services exist, but fragmented :
- Different regions
- Different types of service
- = Multiple contact points and procedures
- Acces can be difficult for newcomers
- Language
- Administrative complexity
NEEDS (IN TERMS OF INTEGRATION)
European Refugee
Fund

8. -Many gaps are possible
-Some people more likely to fall through the gaps:
- Newcomers without network
- Without language knowledge
- Single mothers without network
- Newcomers with low education
- Psychologically vulnerable people
- Handicapped people
- Non accompanied minors
- Complex situations
NEEDS (IN TERMS OF INTEGRATION)
European Refugee
Fund

9. Frequent problems
- Lack of knowledge about existing services
(language lessons, legal support, training…)
- Lack of understanding of rights, obligations
and administrative “how to” (how to acces
studies, withdrawal social help, avoid debt…).
NEEDS (IN TERMS OF INTEGRATION)
European Refugee
Fund

10. - Global follow-up
- Global vision of the newcomer and his needs,
to orient him accordingly.
- Follow-up through time (2 years)
- Follow-up through territory
- Setting the newcomer in a local network
- To become autonomous in their
environnement
Integration Cell : Added value
European Refugee
Fund

11. -Integration process as a whole
- Considering all the conditions for integration
- Work = Daycare > language class > language
practice > psychological wellbeing > livable house
- Successful integration requires all the pieces of
the puzzle
- Integration coach: Make sure all the pieces
are there
- Avoid pieces falling out: Information
- Place back the falling pieces
Integration Cell : Added value
European Refugee
Fund

17. - Complementarity of NGO’s and public services
 Fieldwork: Global identification of needs,
difficulties and risks
 Observe the strength and problems for integration
 Proactive information and orientation to adequate
services
Integration Cell : Added value
European Refugee
Fund

18. Caritas International
« Integration Cell »
Rue de la charité 43
1210 Bruselas- Bélgica
Anne Dussart – Responsable Social Programs
a.dussart@caritasint.be
+32 (0) 473 95 12 92
Ariane Dewandre – Coordinator Integration Cell
a.dewandre@caritasint.be
+32 (0) 473 96 09 93
European Refugee
Fund

20. Case study
The role of an NGO in the integration
process of a vulnerable refugee
European Refugee
Fund