Page 104 - valuing-diversity-guidance-for-labour-market-integration-of-migrants

Valuing diversity: guidance for labour market integration of migrants

and is frequently a clause in integration contracts signed between immigrants
and public authorities (local or central): examples are the Flanders inburgering
contract in Belgium and the contract of integration and hosting (contrat d’accueil
intégration (CAI) in France. All those who arrived in the Netherlands after 2007
(newcomers), must undergo a civic examination.
Whether voluntary or compulsory, most language and civic programmes are
financed by national public administrations or/and by European funds (European
Social Fund (ESF), European Fund for the Integration of Non-EU Immigrants
(EIF)); they are free of charge for immigrants, though some States require a
contribution from the clients as in Germany which collects a small fee from each
participant to contribute to the financing of the programme. Integration course
participants In the Netherlands have to support their full cost, with the possibility
26
of applying for a state loan for this purpose ( ).
Some countries have created websites which provide information about
integration procedures, introductory courses and other tools, easing access to
these courses and providing online resources to prospective migrants. The
27
website ‘make it in Germany’ ( ) has provided information about German
language, culture and institutions, as well as about formal requirements and
procedures to take up work or studies, since 2012. As in most other European
countries, this website is an initiative of the public administration; the information
is available in German and English. The non-availability of the information in
third-country languages is frequently a limitation of the online tools, though some
countries have developed websites in a number of languages. The Swedish
28
Migration Board website, for example, (IOM, 2013a) ( ) is reportedly available in
seven languages and provides factsheets in 27 more languages. Similar cases
29
have been identified in Spain and Italy ( ) (see case studies).
Some countries have developed targeted approaches for specific groups,
which are deemed to have higher needs or a strategic role in community
development. Although courses are aimed at all immigrants to Greece, they
especially target mothers, parents of children of school age and illiterate
individuals. Women are also targeted in Italy, together with low-qualified

26
( ) If deemed relevant and necessary, municipalities can provide free preliminary literacy
courses for specific groups.
27
( ) http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/ [accessed 19.3.2014].
28
( ) The IOM report on information for migrants and employers displayed this information,
although recent review of the website only allowed for navigation in English and
Swedish.
29
( ) www.integrazionemigranti.gov.it [accessed 3.4.2014].

94