NaviMig project: Article on ”Mentoring program for migrant inclusion”!

“Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

NAVI-MIG is a project within the framework of the European Erasmus+ programme. It is being developed with the aim to contribute to the integration of newly arrived migrants into European countries. The project not only concerns migrants who have recently arrived in Europe or who have relocated within Europe, but also municipalities, NGOs, humanitarian organisations, educational institutions, and other organisations that focus on the integration and inclusion of migrants.

The successful integration of migrants in a new country is crucial for our societies. It can contribute positively to shortages in the labour market as well as to the growth of a country’s income.

NAVI-MIG is being implemented by partners from Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Austria, Portugal, Finland.

The second project result (led by The Square Dot Team) is the Mentoring Programme for Migrant Inclusion in which a network of experts will provide support via a one-on-one mentoring programme, based on the individual needs of migrants.

The aim is to bridge the gap between existing information that migrants can access and the individual support needed that is not met by information alone. Also, it is aimed to support migrants in their economic and social integration, increase their self-confidence navigating life in their new resident country and feel more at ease.

In a first meeting with participant, the exact the need will be discussed, and duration of mentoring will be determined. During the active mentoring, the tools and methodologies used by the mentor will depend on the individual need of the mentee and is decided by the mentor.

The mentoring areas, defined by the consortium partners, are the following: European labour market standards & skill recognition, skills identification, skills development, opportunity identification, job search training, application training, alternative paths.

The mentors of NAVI-MIG project will regularly meet virtually to exchange experiences and best practices.

At the end of the active mentoring phase of the NAVI-MIG project, a report will be developed by aggregating the needs and obstacles faced by migrants arriving in a new country and the solutions, methodologies and tools used that have been found to help meet these needs during the mentoring.

NAVI-MIG is expected to be completed in about two years and its total duration is 3 years.

 

Article written by Marievi Gretsi

The Square Dot Team, Belgium