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Description
The need for the project stems from the survey carried out about the needs of direct users drawing on two information sources. The first source was an in-depth discussion of a team member with members of the Refugee Advisory Board (RAB) with the UNHCR of the new challenges caused by the CODIV-19 crisis, namely lack of sufficiently targeted information provided by the institutions about the pandemic and the hygiene measures as well as the social measures relevant for migrants and refugees, and the inadequate and negative at times media image of migrants and refugees. The second source of information are UNICEF and UNHCR studies of the new challenges due to the pandemic such as loss of a job, of a dwelling, etc. The project aims at helping empower young migrants and refugees through innovative practices to develop skills to overcome the consequences of the pandemic, develop active citizenship and new leadership. The key issue is the new marginalization of young refugees and migrants in the COvid-19 crisis. The project aims at addressing it in three ways, through the innovative concept of foundational economy about the role of migration as a resource for local development, by training in leadership and media skills for advocacy and by intercultural practices for active citizenship and role in urban transformation. The end users will be refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers; young people (aged 18-29). The target group will be public institutions (national and local).
Summary of project results
The main objective of the project was to introduce innovative (new or improved) methods and approaches to the needs of vulnerable groups. The key issue was the new marginalisation of young refugees and migrants in a then pandemic crisis situation. The project aimed to address it in a multifaceted way: through the lens of the innovative foundational economy concept of the role of migration as a resource for local development; through training in leadership and media advocacy skills, through intercultural practices for active citizenship and a role in transforming the city.
The project''s approach included the application of innovative practices for integration, such as the inclusion of young migrants and refugees in the implementation of the Living Lab and the application of the Learning by Experience method, as well as the empowerment of young migrants and refugees by placing them in leadership positions and as active actors in events and youth initiatives with the participation of young Bulgarians, which created the perspective of foreigners for their better integration in Bulgaria. Through the series of 4 online debates, the project managed to turn the pandemic''s imposed intensification of digital communication into an asset and allowed to expand the range of international participants to over 100 participants from 15 different countries. Parallel to the interactive activities, the project monitored information in the public space related to refugees and migrants in Bulgaria, and developed fact sheets on the identified topics. The implementation of activities during the pandemic and imposed due to COVID-19 proved to be a challenge.
The project produced and/or disseminated –
- 3 Policy briefs;
- 5 info sheets;
- 12 YouTube and social media videos of key speeches in the Debates for the Future;
- 12 summaries of key speeches in the Debates for the Future on social media;
- 235 social media posts;
- 8 media products of young migrants and refugees on YouTube and social networks
- 3 best ''My City'' video stories on the YouTube channel and social networks;
- 80 ''My City'' photographs on social media;
- 1 digital exhibition of 20 photographs "Sofia - my open city"
- 8 best media products of migrants and activists uploaded on YouTube and the Observatory''s social media
- 10 new and creative ideas for future potential projects to be organized by the network of young migrants and refugees and Bulgarian youth.
- 1 video narrative presenting the cultural exchange between the Bulgarian local community and young refugees and migrants.
- 4 organized workshops on key leadership and advocacy skills, innovative management practices, media training and intercultural communication.
Beneficiaries:
- Over 1000 users reached on digital channels
- 25 young Bulgarians, migrants, refugees trained in public speaking and behaviour in front of the camera
- 10 institutions regularly informed
- 10 NGOs, including migrant organisations and associations, regularly informed
- A network of empowered young migrants and Bulgarian youth with ideas for a post-pandemic transformation of the capital in terms of civic inclusion, openness and interculturality has been created.