4.14.3.4. Evaluation of integration plans and support

Different actors, national authorities, academia, think tanks and civil society organisations continued to evaluate the different components of integration programmes throughout 2021 in support of evidence-based policymaking.

Some evaluations looked into women’s integration process and outcomes. The EMN French National Contact Point published a national report analysing the integration of migrant women, including those benefitting from international protection. The report provides a panorama of the different projects undertaken in various thematic areas and underlines the importance of ongoing projects to establish a network of childcare facilities, allowing women to participate in training and be supported in their search for employment.European Website on Integration. (2021, November 1). L’intégration des femmes migrantes en France: politiques et mesures (2021) [The integration of migrant women in France: policies and measures (2021)]. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/lintegration-…

The German BAMF published an analysis on the social integration of refugee women. The report points out that refugee women have different prerequisites for integration than refugee men: they often have lower education levels, less likely to be employed and have little knowledge of the German language. They are more involved in household activities and participate less in sports or cultural events. They often have fewer contacts with German citizens. However, having children turned out to be a positive factor to establish contacts within the host society.European Website on Integration. (2021, March 8). BAMF-Kurzanalyse: Geflüchtete Frauen in Deutschland – Freizeitverhalten und soziale Kontakte [BAMF short analysis: Refugee women in Germany - leisure time behavior and social contacts]. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/bamf-kurzanal…

The Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection published the results of a research project that looked into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on migrants from the Western Balkans, Turkey and beneficiaries of international protection from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria living in Vienna and its surroundings. Among findings on the use of communication channels, employment and education, the report observes that rules on COVID-19-related curfews were not clear for beneficiaries of international protection.European Website on Integration. (2021, June 1). COVID-19 und Migrationshintergrund: Erreichbarkeit, Umgang mit Maßnahmen und sozioökonomische Herausforderungen von Migrant/inn/en und Geflüchteten [COVID-19 and migration background: accessibility, handling of measures and socio-economic challenges of migrants and refugees]. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/covid-19-und-…

The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy published a report with suggestions for a more pro-active government policy on migrant integration, taking into account the changing character of migration flows.Scientific Council for Government Policy | Wetenschappelijke Raad voor het Regeringsbeleid. (2020). Samenleven in verscheidenheid: Beleid voor de migratiesamenleving [Living together in diversity: Policy for the migration society]. https://www.wrr.nl/binaries/wrr/documenten/rapporten/2020/12/14/samenle…  The report underlines the key role local authorities play in the integration process, an element that was already taken up by the Dutch government (see Section 4.14.3.2). The Netherlands Institute for Social Research assessed the role that policy has played in the integration of Syrian beneficiaries of international protection in particular.Netherlands Institute for Social Research | Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau. (2021, April 12). Met beleid van start: Over de rol van beleid voor ontwikkelingen in de positie en leefsituatie van Syrische statushouders [Policy in the starting blocks: The role of policy in developments in the position and life situation of Syrian asylum permit-holders]. https://www.scp.nl/publicaties/publicaties/2021/04/08/met-beleid-van-st… For this group, a short asylum procedure, limited number of transfers between reception facilities, rapid housing and family reunification seemed to have reduced health risks. Good access to care, early detection and targeted prevention were important factors in preventing health issues. In turn, better health and good knowledge of the Dutch language strengthened their position on the labour market. Passing the civic integration exam also increased their chances of finding a job. In addition, doing voluntary work during the reception phase contributed to a smoother integration process even after beneficiaries left the reception location. The report pointed out that it was possible to make better matches between beneficiaries and labour market regions, for example, by using big data and algorithms. 

In Finland, a government study examined the impact of amendments to the Aliens Act on applicants between May 2015 and June 2019 and found that the focus was on streamlining the asylum procedure instead of the fundamental rights of applicants. During this period, the number of appeals increased and rejected applicants were left in limbo, without a legal right to stay but without the possibility to return to their country of origin.European Website on Integration. (2021, February 19). The combined effects of changes to the Aliens Act and its application on the status of applicants for and beneficiaries of international protection. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/combined-effe…

The Swedish Institute for the Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy analysed the impact of the length of the asylum procedure on integration and concluded that longer processing times impacted labour market outcomes. It found that recognised beneficiaries who had waited longer for their final decision had lower earnings. The study also underlined that longer processing periods did not seem to have a negative impact on mental and physical health.European Website on Integration. (2022, February 2). Sweden: Long waiting times for asylum seekers delay integration. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/sweden-long-w…

In Greece, the IOM evaluated the accommodation and education components of the HELIOS programme, funded through AMIF to support the integration of beneficiaries of international protection to increase their self-reliance. 68% of persons who regularly attend integration courses confirmed that they acquired language skills and knowledge of Greek society, which facilitated their interaction with the host community. 41% of beneficiaries who received rent support stated that they intended to continue leasing the apartment they found through the programme, even after financial support from the programme ends.European Website on Integration. (2021, August 12). IOM: Feedback from HELIOS programme beneficiaries. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/iom-feedback-…

In order to evaluate the funding of integration measures, the Czech Ministry of Regional Development requested the Consortium of Migrant Assisting Organisations to map integration projects funded by the EU between 2014-2020. The mapping found that systematic integration support was mainly financed through AMIF, while ESF projects were mainly one-offs and lacked follow-up.European Website on Integration. (2021, July 19). Evaluation of integration projects financed by EU funds. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/evaluation-in…

The research programme Coming of Age in Exile (CAGE) looked into the health and socioeconomic situation of young refugees in Denmark, Finland, Norway and SwedenEuropean Website on Integration. (2021, September 1). CAGE: How are young refugees faring in the Nordic welfare societies? https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/cage-how-are-…   and observed that Denmark had the lowest integration outcomes.European Website on Integration. (2021, November 18). Young refugees faring worse in Denmark than in other Nordic countries. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/news/young-refugees-faring-wor…

The privately-established Danish Knowledge Centre on Integration closed due to a lack of funding after 2 years of existence.European Website on Integration. (2021, November 18). Young refugees faring worse in Denmark than in other Nordic countries. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/news/young-refugees-faring-wor…  The centre still published insightful analysis throughout 2021, finding that 74% of Danes surveyed believed that the results of integration were significantly worse than in reality.European Website on Integration. (2021, November 29). Denmark: majority strongly overestimates integration problems. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/denmark-major…

The civil society initiative Fremde werden Freunde analysed the political participation of refugees in Vienna and observed that many of them participated in non-institutionalised, low-profile activities related to personal concerns. Often coming from undemocratic, repressive regimes, refugees appreciated democracy in their host society.European Website on Integration. (2021, November 18). Forschungsbericht: Politische Beteiligung von Geflüchteten. Möglichkeiten und Hindernisse der politischen Beteiligung von Geflüchteten in Wien [Research report: Political participation of refugees. Opportunities and obstacles to the political participation of refugees in Vienna]. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/forschungsber…

France Terre d’Asile dedicated an issue of its periodic bulletin to the societal engagement and political participation of beneficiaries of international protection and how they impacted the overall integration path.European Website on Integration. (2021, June 30). La participation citoyenne et l'engagement politique des réfugiés [Citizens’ participation and political engagement of refugees]. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/la-participat…  In Cyprus, another civil society initiative provided insights to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on applicants, beneficiaries of international protection and migrants. The first two studies observed a disproportionately larger impact on women’s life and integrationEuropean Website on Integration. (2021, February 5). The impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Refugees, Migrants and Asylum Seekers in Cyprus. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/impact-covid-…  and substantial delays in the delivery of residence permits and other official documents, which delayed access to education, health care and employment.European Website on Integration. (2021, July 1). A systemic analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in Cyprus. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/systemic-anal…

Through a project funded by the municipality of Sofia in partnership with UNHCR, the Bulgarian Council for Refugees and Migrants and the Multi Kulti Collective continued to publish issues of the Bulgarian academic bulletin “Refugees: Today and Tomorrow”. The issues addressed myths about and among refugees,European Website on Integration. (2021, May 7). Academic Bulletin “Refugees: Today and Tomorrow” 6/2021. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/academic-bull…  financial difficulties for civil society organisations which support refugee integration in Bulgaria,European Website on Integration. (2021, June 21). Academic Bulletin “Refugees: Today and Tomorrow” 7/2021. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/academic-bull…  and the integration of refugee childrenEuropean Website on Integration. (2021, December 31). Academic Bulletin “Refugees: Today and Tomorrow” 9/2021. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/academic-bull…   and women.European Website on Integration. (2021, October 29). Academic Bulletin “Refugees: Today and Tomorrow” 8/2021. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/academic-bull…

Prepared in the framework of the National Integration Evaluation Mechanism (NIEM), ten policy briefs examined various aspects of the integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary. The briefs addressed data gaps, the role of grassroots organisations, social attitudes towards refugees, as well as health, education and housing.Németh, Á. (2021). Interpreting data gaps in the study of the social integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary: Social integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary - NIEM Policy Briefs. Menedék - Hungarian Association for Migrants. https://menedek.hu/sites/default/files/media/document/2021/10/08/NIEM Policy Brief Hungary 01 - Data gaps - Nemeth.pdf Nagy-Nádasdi, A. R. (2021). Vulnerability and discrimination in the employment of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary: Social integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary – NIEM policy briefs. Menedék, Hungarian Association for Migrants. https://menedek.hu/sites/default/files/media/document/2021/09/09/NIEM Policy Brief Hungary 02 - Discrimination - Nagy-Nadasdi.pdf Budai, B. (2021). Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market situation of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary.: Social integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary - NIEM policy briefs. Menedék, Hungarian Association for Migrants. https://menedek.hu/sites/default/files/media/document/2021/09/09/NIEM Policy Brief Hungary 03 - COVID-19 - Budai.pdf Pósfai, Z. (2021). Policy analysis and proposal for the improvement of the housing of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary: Social integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary – NIEM policy briefs. Menedék, Hungarian Association for Migrants. https://menedek.hu/sites/default/files/media/document/2021/09/09/NIEM Policy Brief Hungary 04 - Housing - Posfai-Szabo.pdf Tóth, J. (2021). Access to healthcare for beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary – analysis and recommendations: Social integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary – NIEM policy briefs. Menedék, Hungarian Association for Migrants. https://menedek.hu/sites/default/files/media/document/2021/09/09/NIEM Policy Brief Hungary 05 - Healthcare - Toth.pdf Sos, S. (2021). Resources and strategies for the successful social integration of Muslim women granted international protection in Hungary: Social integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary – NIEM policy briefs. Menedék - Hungarian Association for Migrants. https://menedek.hu/sites/default/files/media/document/2021/09/09/NIEM Policy Brief Hungary 06 - Social integration - Sos.pdf Bognár, K., & Hetzer, K. (2021). Methodology for the integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungarian public education: Social integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary - NIEM policy briefs. Menedék - Hungarian Association for Migrants. https://menedek.hu/sites/default/files/media/document/2021/09/09/NIEM Policy Brief Hungary 07 - Public education - Bognar-Hetzer.pdf Faludi, J., & Lakatos, Z. (2021). Opportunities for supporting higher education studies of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary: Social integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary – NIEM policy briefs. Menedék - Hungarian Association for Migrants. https://menedek.hu/sites/default/files/media/document/2021/09/09/NIEM Policy Brief Hungary 08 - Higher education - Faludi-Lakatos.pdf Németh, Á. (2021). Changes in Social attitudes towards refugees in Hungary: Social integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary – NIEM policy briefs. Menedék - Hungarian Association for Migrants. https://menedek.hu/sites/default/files/media/document/2021/09/09/NIEM Policy Brief Hungary 09 - Attitudes - Nemeth.pdf Gerő, M. (2021). Self-helping refugees? the role of organisations of beneficiaries of international protection and immigrants in Hungary: Social integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Hungary – NIEM policy briefs. Menedék - Hungarian Association for Migrants. https://menedek.hu/sites/default/files/media/document/2021/09/09/NIEM Policy Brief Hungary 10 - Self-organization - Gero.pdf