Throughout 2021, several initiatives focused on improving cooperation with municipalities and regions on the integration of beneficiaries of international protection and migrants. The Urban Agenda for the EU Partnership on Inclusion of Migrants and Refugees published its new action plan for 2021-2022, listing seven actions for this period, related to access to health care, treatment of mental health concerns, the role of art and culture in integration, specific concerns of LGBTIQ migrants, evidence-based policymaking in cities, financial instruments to be used for integration by cities and children in migration.1163

The different arrangements for the collaboration between the local authorities and the Directorate General for Foreigners in France (DGEF) and the Interministerial Delegation for the Reception and Integration of Refugees (DIAIR) were harmonised and brought together under the framework of “Integration territories”. Local authorities who aim to be more involved in the integration of newly-arrived migrants, including beneficiaries of international protection, can receive financial support from the state through the territorial contracts for reception and integration, for more strategic local integration actions, and the territorial projects for reception and integration, for more punctual, smaller integration projects.1164  In its report on multi-level governance for migrant integration, published in February 2022, the OECD cited the previous version of the territorial contracts for reception and integration, the territorial contracts for reception and integration of refugees, as an example of best practices to repeat.1165

The Dutch Inclusion and Community Platform developed guidance for municipalities on the integration of Eritrean beneficiaries of international protection. The organisation estimated that a special guide was necessary, as approximately 20,000 Eritreans lived in the Netherlands and studies found that their employment levels and Dutch language knowledge were lagging behind compared to other nationalities.1166

The “Building structures for intercultural integration in Cyprus” project was launched in June 2021, as part of the Intercultural Cities Programme of the Council of Europe. The project aims to empower local stakeholders to be part of the integration process, and through this, support Cyprus in implementing its National Action Plan on the Integration of Third-Country Nationals 2020-2022.1167

The Luxemburgish Minister for Family and Integration signed a pact with 18 municipalities supporting the development, implementation and evaluation of local integration activities.1168
The Swiss Federal Council opened consultations on adjusting the financing of cantonal integration measures under the new Swiss Integration Agenda. The federal government and cantons continued in 2021 with the initiation of the agenda’s implementation, first through undertaking the necessary legislative changes. They also decided to start a pilot in 2023 on monitoring progress towards the five efficiency objectives of the Integration Agenda. 1169

Among multi-stakeholder initiatives, the Office for Human Rights and Rights of National Minorities in Croatia continued with the project "INCLuDE – Inter-sectoral cooperation in the empowerment of third-country nationals”, with co-funding from AMIF.1170  The Advisory Group of Third-Country Nationals and Persons of Migrant Origin was established, which will meet twice a year to support decision-makers with recommendations on the involvement of third-country nationals in political discussions and in the creation, implementation and evaluation of integration policies and strategies.1171  In addition, a handbook was drafted for representatives of local authorities to support them in designing and implementing integration activities.1172  A number of informative videos were also launched, focusing on the integration of beneficiaries of international protection (see Section 4.9).1173  The project "New Neighbours - Inclusion of persons under international protection in Croatian society” continued and an Open Day was held with panel discussions on the achievements, challenges and opportunities for integration and the role of religious communities.1174

In Finland, the Integration Partnership Programme was launched in November 2020 to establish a nationwide network of integration and social inclusion actors, and over 140 stakeholders registered by March 20211175  and hold regular meetings.1176

A report from the Migration Policy Institute and the Durable Solutions Platform looked into initiatives to foster partnerships and coordination in the context of the situation of Syrian refugees.1177
 
To improve the involvement of grassroot organisations, the Greek Directorate for Social Integration started to register representative bodies of migrant and refugee communities to improve communication and cooperation between these organisations and the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.1178