WELDI

🎙️ Spotlight on a great initiative from our Belgian partner Ville de Liège! 🇧🇪 As part of the WELDI project, we’re highlighting Migr'Actions, a journal dedicated to migration issues, created by our Belgian partner : Liège. 🎧✨ This French-language interview provides a valuable platform for discussing key challenges and solutions related to migration and inclusion. In the latest episode, Jean-Pierre Ilouga, an educator at SADA (CPAS de Liège), shares his experience supporting Unaccompanied Foreign Minors (UFM) as they transition into adulthood. This insightful discussion sheds light on the challenges these young people face and the solutions that can help them integrate successfully. 🎯 What to expect in this episode: 🔍 How can we support these young people on their path to independence? 💬 What obstacles do they encounter when they come of age? 💡 What best practices can help them integrate sustainably? 📢 This important topic is further explored in the latest issue of the CRIPEL journal, entirely dedicated to this theme. 🎧 Listen to the interview (in French) here: https://lnkd.in/eTx6zQET The online website : https://lnkd.in/exxDy_UQ URBACT & EUI BE Ville de Liège Gregor Stangherlin Jérôme Battistini #Migration #Inclusion #UnaccompaniedMinors

🚀 Releasing our WELDI Midterm Review! 🚀 As a reminder, the WELDI network brings together ten European cities committed to placing human rights at the heart of migrant reception and integration. Despite a challenging political climate, these cities are shaping inclusive policies that benefit all residents. 🇪🇺 🔎 Key takeaways of this review: 🏡 Housing – Cities like Fundão are using EU recovery funds to expand social housing, while Liège has partnered with private landlords to create temporary rental solutions for vulnerable migrants. 💼 Work – Fundão offers training for migrants in key local industries, such as PDO cheese production and olive orchard management, while Utrecht integrates English language courses to improve job access for migrants. 🏥 Healthcare – Lampedusa has improved obstetric services for vulnerable migrants, reducing costs and benefiting local residents, while Seine-Saint-Denis ensures migrants have access to healthcare services tailored to their needs. 🎟️ City Cards – Utrecht is planning a city card for undocumented migrants, which will provide access to municipal services and discounts, while Liège is making its "Carte Ardente" available to migrants to foster inclusion and support their rights. 🛡️ Fighting Discrimination and Misinformation – WELDI cities like Timisoara collaborate with civil society organizations to combat anti-migrant myths, helping to build solidarity and a welcoming environment for all. WELDI proves that local action can make a difference. 📖 Read our full midterm review written by our expert Dirk Gebhardt to see how cities are driving change! https://lnkd.in/dTK9Z64e #HumanRights #Migration #InclusiveCities #WELDI #URBACT #LocalGovernance #SocialCohesion URBACT URBACT IV ROMANIA URBACT & EUI - France Luxembourg URBACT & EUI BE URBACT & EUI in Nederland URBACT Polskav URBACT Portugal Município do Fundão Ville de Liège Conseil départemental de la Seine-Saint-Denis Gemeente Utrecht

🇷🇴 Timișoara: A Model for Inclusive Migration Policies 🇪🇺 Just four days after Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Timișoara took swift action to prepare for an influx of refugees—before the EU even activated its Temporary Protection Directive. Leadership and coordination have been at the heart of the city’s response ever since. In this context, the WELDI partners traveled to Timișoara for our 8th transnational meeting to explore how the city has built a resilient and inclusive approach to migration. Here’s what we learned: 🔹 Empowering Migrants as Key Actors From the very beginning, the city sought to mobilize refugee communities, turning newcomers into partners rather than passive recipients of aid. Ukrainian volunteer like Jane Rozbitskaya set up a Telegram channel to connect refugees with verified housing options. Later, she joined an association and organized events, creating a space for refugees to share their stories. LOGS – Grup de Initiative Sociale 🔹 Building on Past Crises for Stronger Partnerships - Timișoara’s URBACT Local Group unites frontliners working with vulnerable communities. - A history of cooperation between civil society and social services—strengthened during the COVID-19 crisis—remains a cornerstone of its participatory approach today. 🔹 Tackling New Migration Challenges - Beyond Ukrainian refugees, Timișoara is now facing a new wave of labor migration from Asia. - Many of these workers, recruited to fill labor shortages, face abuse and exploitation. - True to its model, the city is working to identify community leaders among these new migrants to co-create solutions and defend human rights. 🌍 A Resilient & Inclusive City ✔️ The WELDI partners saw firsthand how Timișoara’s strong local network makes it more resourceful in addressing challenges—even in an increasingly hostile political climate. ✔️ The key takeaway? Involving migrants in shaping solutions is essential—not just for better integration, but also for changing the narrative on migration. Read full article : https://lnkd.in/eUDFSZ2k 💡 What lessons can other European cities learn from Timișoara’s approach? Share your thoughts! ⬇️ URBACT IV ROMANIA Dirk Gebhardt Ciupa-Rad Angela Hester Wolrich Hans Sakkers Jan Braat Kulthum LAOUFI Lucrezia Matani Sarah Simonin Carole Ferellec Daniel Mihailovic Carlo De Marco Gregor Stangherlin Didier Van der Meeren Marin Seleš, PhD #WELDI #Migration #Inclusion #Refugees #URBACT #HumanRights

💪 Celebrating Women's Week: the gendered challenges of migrant momen 🌍 Did you know? 📌 49% of refugees worldwide are women (UNHCR) 📌 66% of adult refugees from Ukraine under temporary protection in the EU are women (Eurostat) Migrant women face unique challenges when rebuilding their lives in cities: 🔴 10% less likely to read and write 🔴 Higher risk of mental health issues 🔴 Paid less than male counterparts 🔴 Greater burden balancing work and family 🇸🇪 A powerful example is the initiative from cities like Gothenburg, Sweden, with the “Talking with Parents” toolbox. This initiative helps frontline workers support migrant families, particularly women, by addressing domestic violence, children's rights, and the roles of women in the family, promoting gender equality and offering essential support. 🇮🇹 In Lampedusa, our Italian WELDI partner, a mobile obstetrics and gynecology clinic provides urgent medical care for migrant women upon arrival. Many face trauma and require immediate prenatal and postnatal support. This initiative aligns with the EU Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion 2021-2027, ensuring migrant women’s health needs are prioritized. Developed through coordinated efforts with ASP of Palermo, UNHCR, and the NIHMP, it strengthens access to critical healthcare for vulnerable women. ⚠️ Key challenges identified across WELDI partners: ✅ Lack of childcare remains a major barrier to migrant and refugee women’s access to work and autonomy. ✅ Training and information sessions should be held in child-friendly environments to be truly accessible. ✅ Holistic support, including healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, is crucial for migrant women’s integration. 📢 Cities play a crucial role in fostering inclusion and breaking down the gendered barriers migrant women face, with some of these insights coming from the 2022 URBACT gender equal cities report. 💡 By addressing these challenges, inclusive policies can create real opportunities, promote gender equality, and empower migrant women across Europe! ✊ URBACT #WomensDay #Migration #GenderEquality #MigrantWomen #Inclusion #SocialIntegration #URBACT

Thank you for your participation in our local group and your support! 🇫🇷

Hearts and Minds for Ukraine - February 24, 2025 🇺🇦🕯️ Yesterday, on the eve of the anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion, the national kick-off event "Hearts and Minds for Ukraine" took place at Jaarbeurs Kinepolis in Utrecht 🇳🇱 (Netherlands), WELDI's lead partner. It was a powerful reminder of unity and resilience in the face of adversity. Led by young people and teenagers, the march featured a glowing model of the legendary Mriya airplane, symbolizing great aspirations and unbreakable spirit. Each participant held a candle, representing the unyielding light of hope that guides through the darkness.🕊️ The event honored the brave souls who fought—and continue to fight—for a free Ukraine, remembered those who have been lost, and celebrated the strength of the beautiful country. The march ended at Domplein, where a heart of light was created, followed by a moving speech, reaffirming belief in a better future. 🙏 Gemeente Utrecht Mykola Tryfonov Hans Sakkers Hester Wolrich URBACT & EUI in Nederland URBACT #HeartsAndMindsForUkraine #Ukraine

🇷🇴 CIIC Expert: Traffic Safety and Inclusion in Cluj-Napoca 🚦🚶♂️🚲 An event was recently organized by the Municipality of Cluj-Napoca Primăria Municipiului Cluj-Napoca, bringing together representatives from local authorities (City Hall, Local Police, Traffic Police, Cluj Public Transport Company), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and specialists in urban mobility. The discussions focused on assessing and improving road safety measures to benefit both local residents and, in particular, the international community in Cluj-Napoca, who may face challenges due to language barriers. Key topics included: ✅ Evaluation of current safety measures ✅ Smart traffic lights & pedestrian/bike infrastructure ✅ Public transport efficiency ✅ Road safety awareness for non-Romanian speakers Dan Ștefan Tarcea, Deputy Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, emphasized the importance of road safety for all residents, including newcomers. Ovidiu Cîmpean, Member of the Romanian Parliament and President of the CIIC Board, highlighted the role of CIIC Expert in fostering inclusive public discussions to shape local policies. This event reinforced the city's commitment to creating a safer and more accessible urban environment for all. 🚸💡 URBACT URBACT IV ROMANIA #ClujNapoca #UrbanMobility #CommunityEngagement #Migration #Inclusion

🚀🇵🇱 Portrait Series #9 : The Mykhno Family’s Journey: the true cost of Economic Migration 🇺🇦🌍 Migration is often seen as a path to opportunity, but for many families, it involves significant sacrifices and emotional turmoil. The Mykhno family’s story from Ukraine to Poland highlights the profound challenges they faced. Oksana and Valerii Mykhno left their homeland for Sosnowiec (Poland) in search of a better future, leaving their young son, Vitalii. Their separation was heart-wrenching, but they persevered, eventually reuniting as a family when their employer allowed them to work in shifts. However, their challenges did not end there. Rising living costs, complicated bureaucratic processes, and the emotional strain of being unable to visit family in Ukraine have made their new life in Poland incredibly difficult. Read more about their journey and the broader impact of migration here: https://lnkd.in/euV3VxuN WELDI URBACT URBACT & EUI - France Luxembourg URBACT Polska City Council of Sosnowiec #Welcommunities 

🇵🇱 Migrants in Sosnowiec (Poland): insights and next steps 🤝 Sosnowiec is taking action to support its growing migrant community, mainly Ukrainian refugees. A recent survey of 570 migrants (89% women) revealed: 📊 Key insights: - Living: ~⅔ rent private apartments; others live with friends, family, or in institutional housing. - Work: 75% are employed, but 44% work below their qualifications due to language barriers and unrecognized diplomas. - Health : 82% find that they have sufficient access to physical and mental health care - Education: Most Ukrainian children now attend Polish schools, linked to child benefits. - Community: Only 30% join cultural events, citing time, language, and info gaps. 🔍 Key challenges identified: 1️⃣   Strong social segregation—only 30% of respondents participate in cultural, sports, or entertainment events due to time constraints, lack of information, and limited language proficiency. 2️⃣   Limited access to higher-level Polish courses, hindering career advancement and deeper integration. 3️⃣  High demand for a dedicated migrant service center, with 63% of respondents requesting legal advice and Polish language classes. 💡 Next steps: Create a migrant service center for legal advice and Polish classes. Expand higher-level Polish courses to aid integration. Promote the Sosnowiec citizen card for better access to services. ✨ With 90% of migrants seeing their future in Sosnowiec, the city has a unique chance to foster inclusion. Share your ideas with WELDI to inspire more change! City Council of Sosnowiec WELDI URBACT #Inclusion #Refugees #Sosnowiec #Community

✍️🇮🇹 Portrait Series #8: Beyond Numbers: Remon Karam’s Fight for Identity and Belonging 🇪🇬 Forced to leave Egypt at 14, Remon faced unimaginable challenges, including a harrowing sea voyage. Yet, thanks to the kindness of Marilena and Carmelo, he found a new home and hope in Italy. Now, as an advocate for migrant rights, Remon uses his experiences to push for change and highlight the humanity of migrants. His journey from a young dreamer to a passionate advocate is truly inspiring. Read more about Remon's journey and his ongoing efforts to make a difference here: https://lnkd.in/e5U5wDY8 WELDI URBACT Remon Karam #Lampedusa #Welcommunities