The Together project (2019-1-PT01-KA203-060772) has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

The Together project (2019-1-PT01-KA203-060772) has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Training Package for University Students



Module 4
CONTEXT AND RELATIONS

Table of Content

Chapter 4.3. Including refugees as volunteers and mobilizing them
4.3.3 How to engage refugees as volunteers and what is the contribution of the local community (a two-way process between refugees and the local population)?

(i) Establish a culture of volunteering
It is important to develop a shared perception about volunteering amongst the refugees, achieving by this way to increase commitment in volunteering and to mitigate any concerns or misconceptions about the impact or scope of volunteering.
(ii) Identify, train and support refugees as volunteers
Refugees should be identified and trained as volunteers, taking into account their personal skills and knowledge, as well as their competences and potential to contribute to specific fields of action, as it is successfully experienced in the Tandem project, initiated by the European Volunteering Centre (CEV). Their participation in various volunteers’ trainings, focus groups and community consultation sessions leads to the enhancement of their involvement in participatory activities. Refugees also benefit from building peer relationships with other volunteers and developing relationships with those who are served by their efforts. It is also of significant importance to ensure a sustainable involvement of refugees into volunteering actions by providing operational support costs (e.g. transportation and communication costs) but also include training, certification, honours, awards and public recognition. For a more comprehensive approach the SHARE Network Toolkit Publication is suggested. Finally, the creation of safe and sound communication channels between the refugees and local volunteers (e.g. social media groups) to facilitate flow of information and increase interaction.
(iii) Peer-to-peer intercultural learning, empowerment and (self)development of competences of refugees
Bringing together refugees and local people with either a refugee or a non-refugee background, contributes to peer-to-peer learning and psychosocial well-being of the refugees, as well as to the development of intercultural relations. Members of local community organisations shall promote peer support, non-formal education and training programmes on different topics, such as human rights and democratic values, leading to the improvement of refugees’ various skills following good practices such as the Migrant Youth Helsinki project. The role of the local community is also crucial in entrusting and endorsing refugee-led initiatives, contributing to the change of narrative about refugees, offering them the social space to develop their skills and find ways to interact and participate in the community. Local authorities and Higher Education institutions can also provide for the necessary facilities for the creation of spaces for cultural and language learning and exchange between refugees and students from the host community.
(iv) Develop leisure time activities
Offering meaningful leisure time opportunities to people with a refugee background is particularly important for their personal well-being, and at the same time it promotes intercultural interaction and increases mutual trust among refugees and local people. Local stakeholders, municipalities, institutions and individuals may contribute towards this direction. For instance, language cafés have opened in many European cities, allowing refugees to meet with local people and to discuss various issues in a relaxed and safe atmosphere, as mentioned in the STEP-by-STEP together together handbook of the European Commission and the Council of Europe Partnership in the field of Youth. In addition, activities such as living libraries, sports events, music or cooking-related initiatives aim to develop networking and strengthen refugees’ feeling of belonging to a group.

Table of Content