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Description
The MEERU Aproxima (MEERU Approaches) project aims to combat social isolation and facilitate the inclusion of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the communities where they reside. This model, based on the creation of bonds of affection and belonging, aims to transform communities, allowing the autonomy of the process of welcoming and inclusion. The target group is composed of 6 migrant and refugee families, and it is intended to form 6 ‘Proximity Teams’, composed of local volunteers, to integrate a structured volunteer program lasting 8 months. During this time, volunteers promote ‘Proximity Meetings’ with Families, to establish genuine and lasting friendships, and to contribute to their sense of belonging and social inclusion. Throughout the year, meetings will be organized for the entire community, where peer relationships are established, contributing to the consolidation of the social network of each family involved. Awareness-raising actions on Diversity and Interculturality are also going to be promoted among local young people, as well as local agents involved in the welcoming process.
Summary of project results
The project aims to combat and prevent the social isolation of migrant and refugee families, facilitating their inclusion in the community where they live through informal support networks based on bonds of affection and belonging.
The Portuguese welcoming model is essential/aimed at responding to the technical and bureaucratic challenges of integration, showing weaknesses due to the lack of mechanisms aimed at cultivating proximity and a sense of belonging (Migration Observatory, Statistical Report on Asylum, 2022).
In the article “Welcoming refugees in Portugal: preliminary assessment through the voices of refugee families”, the result of consultations with 40 host families and organisations, developed by the CIDH UCP, a reduced social network, social isolation from other migrant families and a feeling of loneliness are highlighted, recommending that a network of available and qualified volunteers be made available to support integration efforts and promote cultural exchanges. According to the World Health Organisation, social isolation leads to an increase in mental disorders, reinforcing the importance of mentoring programmes by migrants who have already integrated or volunteer programmes involving the local population (WHO, 2018).
The lack of interaction between migrants and local people can lead to the development of a stereotyped image and a climate of mutual distrust and tension, increasing marginalisation, the use of minorities as scapegoats, intolerance and discrimination, leading to a lack of productivity, an increase in crime rates and the emergence of extremism, xenophobia and radicalism (Council of Europe, White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue). These studies highlight the importance of community participation in reception and that, in addition to technical conditions, there should be systematised and permanent emotional and affective availability and see the integration process as a dynamic, two-way process of mutual adaptation for both migrants and the host society.
The main aim of the MEERU APROXIMA project was to create APROXIMA COMMUNITIES - a model for structuring informal support networks, made up of local volunteers, in order to combat social isolation and facilitate the inclusion of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers hosted in local communities.
25 people were trained to be project volunteers, 22 of whom became part of five Outreach Teams providing support to five families during an eight-month programme. A total of 24 beneficiaries were reached (30 planned) because one of the families could not be supported and the number of members per family was also lower than planned.
The project carried out four campaigns on the following topics: 10 humanitarian crises; The Turkey-Syria earthquake: The Recruitment; Christmas and New Year.
Five videos were produced during the project, five photo albums were given to the member families and an online platform was created for the MEERU Community.
A diagnosis of the organisation''s needs and an action plan were drawn up by the Catholic University of Porto, identifying measures to strengthen the Association''s capacity and sustainability (32 activities/actions to be implemented in 2024-2026 were defined).
An external evaluation was also carried out by the University with specific recommendations for future editions and for different areas of activity in support of inclusiveness.
The project''s overall objective has been achieved. The APROXIMA Communities were created - a model for structuring informal support networks that combat the social isolation of migrant and refugee families through a qualified and structured volunteer programme and by raising awareness among local agents and young people. The external evaluation report conducted by the Catholic University confirms this result: ‘The testimonies highlight the importance of volunteers in creating bonds of friendship and solidarity, providing a welcoming environment and genuine belonging. The social support network formed by the volunteers was essential in strengthening the beneficiaries'' sense of belonging and security, promoting more meaningful cultural integration.’