ENGAGE | interaktion

ENGAGE

Development of inclusivE iNteGration pAths 4 miGrant women

Getting access to labour market is not always about skills, degrees and working experiences. Data show that discrimination against Muslim women happens at various stages in the process of seeking employment, from access to VET and internships to recruitment. Regarding the hosting communities, there is still a lack of policy focus. A recent paper pointed out that many EU Member States lack policies specifically concerning female migrants1. Out of the 32 responding governments, only 7 have particular policies in place. A 2018 report by the EU FRA2 also confirmed that there is little evidence of action plans with a particular focus on TCN women or gender issues.

This project is aiming to increase TCN (third country national) women’s capability to enter the labour market and social life of the host society, via the organization of Up-Skilling Workshops, Job Shadowing Schemes and cross-cultural activities.

The direct target groups are TCN women and Labour Market Stakeholders (LMS), and the indirect are TCNs, local citizens (women and men), professionals, policymakers, NGOs, the general public. The total number of people, who will be directly or/and indirectly benefiting is estimated to be appx 3000.

The specific objectives of the project are to:

Support TCN women empowerment through acquisition and validation of employability skills thus upgrading their profiles;
Support TCN women’s first steps into local labour market through job shadowing;
Foster knowledge and experience sharing between partner organizations who are working with migrants;
Promote direct interaction and socio-cultural exchange with locals via the organization of common activities, thus challenging stereotypes;
Raise awareness of LMS on barriers/obstacles that migrant women are facing and on their contribution to their personal and professional development;
Facilitate active participation of community members;
Facilitate community engagement (of local and migrant women) in social activities and cultural life of the local community;
Foster intercultural competencies of local key players;
Build partnerships and cooperation among all actors involved in promoting integration at the community level;
Facilitate the dissemination of know-how and best practices on integration both inside and outside the partnership through targeted raising awareness campaign;

Impact on TCN women:

Fostering their integration process and participation in society;
Enhancing active citizenship in their new life;
Understanding their legal rights, access to education and work;
Increasing networking with the host society and professional development;
Improved independence and self-esteem – embrace them to visualize their role in society;
Promoting the visibility, recognition and transferability of newly acquired skills.