C4R

Short description of the project

“Cities4Refugees” involves mayors and their municipalities, but also NGOs and other multiplier who are interested in improving the current situation for migrants and refugees coming to Europe, but also within Europe (like Ukraine).

Over seven different European countries and more than 1000 citizens will be involved directly through five physical meetings and two online-conferences.

Objectives are: increasing capacity-building for migrant and refugee inclusion in European cities and regions through the dialogue around best practice examples in different fields of integration and migration; focusing on the cooperation between municipalities from different countries and its local civil society groups around the topic of migrant and refugee inclusion in European cities; promoting new initiatives and strengthen existing ones between cities and civil society organizations on European Migration policy; promoting exchanges between citizens of different countries; ensuring an active citizen participation at the local level by an actively inclusion of local civil society; bringing together municipalities from all over Europe and giving them a common voice to contribute to reinforce the role of local and regional authorities in the European integration process; promoting a Europe of Welcoming and inclusion; promoting peaceful relations; extending and reinforcing the existing network of International Alliances of Save Harbours.

Expected results: Through the exchange of best practices concerning the situation of migrants and refugees, new initiatives and concepts will be created and disseminated. Besides, awareness of the importance of reinforcing the European integration process based on solidarity will be raised between all involved citizens. A stronger cooperation between municipalities and its citizens from different European countries will boost active citizenship. Discrimination and racism will be counteracted and inclusion of minorities promoted.

MEETINGS

1. Physical meeting in Zagreb/Croatia from 19.4.-21.4.2023

2. Online meeting, 27.6.2023

3. Physical meetingin Brussels/Belgium, 9.10.-11.10.2023

4. Physical meetingin Villeurbanne/France, November 2023

5. Online meeting, December 2023

6. Online meeting, June 2024

7. Physical meeting in Berlin/Germany, September 2024

FIRST MEETING IN ZAGREB/CROATIA

Objectifs:

▪ Presentation of the project and the project partners
▪ Strengthen the cooperation between municipalities and its local civil society groups
▪ Promoting the exchange of best practices around the topic of migrant and refugee inclusion in European cities
▪ actively including local civil society groups the projects wants to ensure an active citizen participation at the local level
▪ reinforce the role of local and regional authorities in the European integration process.
▪ widen the network IASH, linking new members of the network.

The in-situ meeting in Zagreb started according to plan – with a welcome at the hotel, introduction and presentation of programme, external participants and their organizations, and going to a joint dinner with exchange of experiences and getting to know each other.

The first day – after the registration of all participants, Grodan Bosanac gave a welcome on behalf of the City of Zagreb and the City Assembly. Claudia Dombrowsky & Alina Lyapina presented the objectives of the C4R project, and Janne Grote & Tiago da Cruz presented the IASH network. Partner cities: Zagreb, Barcelona, Berlin, Munich and Villeurbanne presented their own experiences and the situation in their cities concerning migration/integration. A field visit to art studio Živi atelje Dajht Kralj was also organized – an example of good practice of social integration and migrant’s inclusion through artistic work.

The second day – a hybrid participation of colleagues from France and Albania was organized. Alina Lyapina, presented of EU migration/asylum legislation, and Grodan Bosanac was talking about exchange of information and best-practice on migration/asylum across Europe, e.g. in formal of a mailing list. An open debate about the content of the “Joint Statement” was held (Comments on Palermo Declaration; Working Group – to address the content of the “Joint Statement”). Also, future cooperation between IASH and the project C4R and planed future activities of the C4R project were also discussed.

Further information about the meeting:20230502_Zagreb_EVENT-DESCRIPTION-sheet_cerv-rem-civ-netw_en

SECOND MEETING: Online on the 27th of June 2023