Description
Through the project „ ICAR – Resource and service center for Migrants ” ICAR Foundation aims to respond to the uncovered need for basic and social services among vulnerable migrants (asylum seekers, refugees, non EU-nationals etc.) an increasing group in Romania. The expertise of the partner RTVS –Vest, Bergen through its Refugee Health and Forced Migration department will transfer Norwegian experience in this area, help to increase the quality of services provided to vulnerable migrants, and coach ICAR’s development into a national resource center for migration and health. Apart from direct services to more than 250 persons during the 24 months of the project, as well as through advocacy and visibility activities, the project will place on the public agenda the important topics of asylum, migration and health, establish partnerships with relevant stakeholders, promote diversity and multiculturalism as democratic values contributing to social inclusion and tolerance. The project, focusing on migration as a social issue of high contemporary concern, will contribute to the consolidation of the Norwegian-Romanian relationships.
Summary of project results
“ICAR - a resource and services centre for migrants” project was implemented in the context of the political situation of the country and the migrants’ crisis that hit Europe during the project implementation. The project contributed to the improvement of health and social situation of 377 vulnerable migrants through: medical consultations, prescription of investigations and treatments, case monitoring through periodic consultations, psychological counselling to help them cope with the integration process, helping them to reckon with the traumatic experiences from the countries of origin or their journey to Romania, guiding and mediating the interaction with other institutions, facilitating their access to other public or private services. A research on mapping the needs and coping mechanisms of some of the migrants assisted through the project was carried out and the results were published in the report “Integration of migrants in Romania: vulnerabilities and resilience”. Having in mind the continuous professional development for ICAR staff, two study visits were organised in Norway, while Norwegian and Danish experts prepared and delivered two training sessions to ICAR specialised staff. Three public awareness and advocacy events helped increase the journalists’ and general public’s level of information regarding the integration of migrants in Romania, as well as the culture and customs from their countries of origin. Even if not foreseen in the project, through its membership to the National Coalition for the Integration of Refugees in Romania (established by the Prime Minister in October 2015), ICAR had the excellent opportunity to respond to the uncovered need for basic and social services among vulnerable migrants in Romania – right after the exchanges of expertise and trainings implemented by the Norwegian partners and Danish experts. Presentation of ICAR’s view and strategic lines of development were submitted for analysis to the inter-ministerial working group on social issues. This was the first important political sign in Romania that the problem is serious, cannot be ignored, is not likely to end soon and there is a need to be prepared to face it.
Summary of bilateral results
Norwegian partner RVTS West Bergen has contributed to the professional development of the promoters’ staff (through trainings and study visits in Norway), as well as through participation to advocacy events organized within the project. The Norwegian experts have prepared and supported two training sessions for ICAR staff working with migrants. ICAR psychologists have learned about a new type of psychotherapy - sensorimotor psychotherapy - which combines traditional psychotherapy methods with nonverbal methods, extremely useful in working with people who do not speak Romanian or other common language. Besides the training sessions, the Norwegian experts have provided support and guidance throughout the project for ICAR staff, information and specialized publications, tips and recommendations. The partner had an important role in advocacy and dissemination activities of the project, actively participating in debates and giving interviews to the media in Romania. Partnership with RVTS West Bergen has improved bilateral relations in this area and led to ICAR to develop cooperation with other institutions in Norway, such as University Hospital in Stavanger – Transcultural Clinic, Center for Migrants without Documents in Oslo, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo and organization Health and Human Rights Info (with the last two ICAR even had a project in partnership, focusing on professional training and research in psychology and services for vulnerable groups).