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Local Integration of Refugeesin Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine

Strategy for Action

Gaspar BergmanHead of Secretariat, Söderköping Process*

*The Cross-Border Co-operation/Söderköping Process is a project funded by the European Union. The views expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission.

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Objectives / Why this analysis?

Government request Integration is key & foreseen by Art. 34 of 51 Convention Need to review achievements Integration complex/no single recipe Signals indicative of problems Many partial initiatives - never holistic effort to assess all aspects Identify gaps / good practices / analyze options Think in terms of sub-regionFormulate recommendations to Gvts and relevant actors

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Methodology

Independence & candid observations Based on empirical findings – triangulation Parallel work in 3 countries/levels Close coordination with relevant

centr.authority Actively seek-out issues/stakeholders Corroborate/cross reference Voluntary & confidential interviews

Final results 3 countries /number of localities capitals & Gomel,

Svetlogorsk, Vitebsk, Odessa, Vinitsa, central and local authorities

Over 130 interviews with Gvt, NGOs, RCOs, Ios 210 interviews with refugees, hum. status, naturalized

& stateless > standard questionnaire Review of basic documentation/legislation Final report consisting over 200 recommendations 26 recommendations generic and applicable to all App. 60 country-specific recommendations each

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Final report/ headings Institution-building, national integration policy International cooperation & resettlement needs Respect of refugee rights & access to

information Documents and translation of documents Language skills, education, employment Housing, social and health issues Legal counseling and capacity of NGOs Naturalization procedures/citizenship Local community relations

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Final report / Annexes Consists analysis of questionnaires per country

presenting series charts, which illustrate the socio-economic and legal situation of refugees

Respondents’ evaluation of quality of assistance provided by the local authorities, UNHCR and its’ implementation partners (NGOs)

Comparative Statistical Analysis of 3 countries Selected quotations from individual interviews Final report in English and in Russian available:

www.soderkoping.org.ua & www.refworld.org

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Generic common findings

Integration - no concept/plan, no dedicated staff, no budgets Many macro economic factors of influence Asylum systems developed partially (legal area/structures)

Legislation /by-laws not harmonized Except primary responsible Gvt officials most unaware Absence of Gvt responsibility/authority – NGOs plugging holes

Structures in-transparent do not engender trust UNHCR keeps subsidizing ad hoc most urgent

Commitment - nominal – no evidence of action except local Gvts keep/reduce expenditures below thresholds / re-organize Expectation that any expenditures should be externally funded UNHCR attention/resources minimal & pulling out

No other international agency engaged Refugee communities weak / not sufficiently anchored

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GENERIC / COMMON FINDINGS 1

Main issues: Housing / income / documentation Housing very poor; still it absorbs most of income Status in labor market is weak Most employed work at markets, legally or illegally Women isolated, the young without perspectives Poverty affects not only individuals, families but

sometimes also entire ethnic communities (Africans) Relations with locals (levels of tolerance, racism)

range considerably from country to country Many refugees exhausted => dependency syndrome Many wish to leave – legally, illegally, volrep

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GENERIC / COMMON FINDINGS 2

Vulnerable would not survive very well without UNHCR No equal access to many foreseen rights

Trying to navigate confusing/contradictory/corrupt systems

Remain more vulnerable than locals Little attention to past trauma / cultural differences

Overtly complex registration / documentation procedures (many rights connected to “propiska” mentality)

Integration crucial – but stagnating / reverses Refugees have little assistance to exercise their

rights Rights violated / problem compounded Spontaneous departures / lower numbers applying

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GENERIC / COMMON FINDINGS 3

Consensus that measures necessary BUT except education little done in housing, medical, guidance, language training, job assistance etc.

Presumption that refugees already equal (legally) Social systems for citizens weak / exclude refugees Either by ignorance or rule Current efforts do not empower but keep most

dependent Perception of reality differs in eyes of Gvt & refugee Officials skeptical / do not know / have no funds / lack

the authority/skills to promote change

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JOINT RECOMMENDATIONS 1 Develop a comprehensive national integration policy Identify a central specialized unit Entrust it with primary responsibility for all matters

pertaining to integration: To manage and define the implementation of a strategy To draw up budgets and to coordinate responses at central and

local levels Establish an integration specific budgetary line Undertake an inventory of existing relevant legislation,

identify legal/procedural gaps/deficiencies and take corrective measures  

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JOINT RECOMMENDATIONS 2 Seek co-financing from international sources for major

projects (housing, employment, education and re-qualification programmes for refugees)

Secure the necessary trainings/study trips to examine best practices from integration policies adopted elsewhere

Establish cross-regional partnerships with similar agencies that have developed refugee integration programmes in comparable circumstances

Int. org. should provide assistance to Gvts to enhance their capacity to define and implement relevant integration projects

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JOINT RECOMMENDATIONS 3

Establish a budget for interpretation and written translations required for official purposes

Train interpreters Provide refugees with relevant guidance in the form of

brochures in appropriate languages Train authorities to recognize refugee documents and the

rights they are entitled to Increase authorities’ awareness of their obligation to

provide administrative assistance to refugees Budget funds to implement language 1 - 3 courses per person

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JOINT RECOMMENDATIONS 4

RAISE AWARENESS: Inform employers that recognized refugees have equal rights to work

PROVIDE TRAINING: Ensure that e.g. employment offices fulfill their duties to assist refugees.

AMEND PRACTICES: Eliminate dispensable administrative requirements which hinder refugees’ access to employment, housing, training, education, credits, pensions…

SEARCH EXPERTISE: Look for international assistance how to design new affordable social housing programmes and to attract appropriate bi- and multilateral donor funding