Our Refugee Integration Impact

OUR REFUGEE INTEGRATION IMPACT A COLLECTION OF JCI EUROPE PROJECTS ADVANCING REFUGEE INTEGRATION IN THE LABOR FORCE

Our Integration Impact: A Collection of JCI Europe Projects Advancing Refugee Integration in the Labor Force St. Louis, MO: JCI, ©2017 Published by JCI (Junior Chamber International) Inc.

CONTENTS About JCI...3 About JCI European Know-How Transfer...4 Introduction...5 JCI Germany Projects...6 JCI Croatia Project...8 JCI Belgium Project...10 JCI the Netherlands Project...12 JCI Finland Project...13

OCTOBER 2016 – SEPTEMBER 2017

OUR REFUGEE INTEGRATION IMPACT Photo Credit: JCI Germany

A COLLECTION OF JCI EUROPE PROJECTS ADVANCING REFUGEE INTEGRATION IN THE LABOR FORCE

JCI (Junior Chamber International) We are a global movement that challenges the status quo. We inspire young people to recognize their responsibility to create a better world and empower them to drive change.

JCI is a nonprofit organization of young active citizens ages 18 to 40 who are engaged and committed to creating impact in their communities in more than 5,000 communities across nearly 120 countries. We develop the skills, knowledge and understanding in our members to empower them to make informed decisions and take sustainable action. As globally minded young people from all sectors of society — government, business and civil society — we all have rights, responsibilities and shared goals. We find targeted solutions to local issues benefiting our communities, our world and our future. Embracing new ideas, collaboration and diversity, we have the passion and courage to address the critical challenges of our time.

Learn more: www.jci.cc

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OCTOBER 2016 – SEPTEMBER 2017

OUR REFUGEE INTEGRATION IMPACT Photo Credits: 2016 JCI EU KHT

JCI European Know-How Transfer The JCI European Know-How Transfer (JCI EU KHT) is an exchange program between young active citizens and European decision makers that has been held for the last 13 years. The program allows participants to take part in the European decision-making process by providing direct communication and interactions with Members of the European Parliament. At the same time, Parliamentarians learn from socially responsible young leaders and entrepreneurs about challenges their constituency is facing. Thus, the project

strengthens personal contacts and increases understanding between politicians, the business community and active citizens.

This year delegates will go more in depth on last year’s discussion topic: “Integration of Refugees into the European Labor Market,” by reflecting on the challenges identified in last year’s resolution.

Learn more: www.jci.cc/eukht

A COLLECTION OF JCI EUROPE PROJECTS ADVANCING REFUGEE INTEGRATION IN THE LABOR FORCE

Introduction The first edition of Our Integration Impact: A Collection of JCI Europe Projects Advancing Refugee Integration in the Labor Force explores how JCI National and Local Organizations from across Europe acted to address the recent influx of refugees into the European Union. Following the drafting and adoption of the 2016 JCI European KnowHow Transfer’s Resolution on Integration of Refugees in the European Labor Market at last year’s event, this collection showcases how JCI members advanced the resolution’s identified challenges and worked to realize the actionable items throughout the past year.

During the 2016 JCI EU KHT, JCI members identified six main challenges JCI members in Europe face in regards to refugee integration into the labor market: (1) Language; (2) Qualifications to Enter the Labor Market; (3) Asylum Procedure Efficiency; (4) Welcoming Atmosphere; (5) Employment of Refugees, and (6) Root Causes for Escape.

Along with challenges, the resolution outlined specific actions JCI Europe members committed to including advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These actions specifically target SDG #4: Quality Education, #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and #16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. With each challenge and action, we also included recommendations for policy makers in the EU – especially for challenges (2) and (3).

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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Learn more: www.globalgoals.org

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OCTOBER 2016 – SEPTEMBER 2017

OUR REFUGEE INTEGRATION IMPACT Photo Credits: JCI Germany and Gerhard Leber.

A COLLECTION OF JCI EUROPE PROJECTS ADVANCING REFUGEE INTEGRATION IN THE LABOR FORCE

PROJECT: Strengthen the Youth: 1000 Chances and Start-Up Your Future by JCI Germany COMMUNITY NEED After the influx of refugees into the European Union, JCI Germany focused on the integration of refugees who struggle with social and occupational integration into the German community. The projects “Strengthen the Youth: 1000 Chances” and “Start-Up Your Future” tackle unemployment and exclusion of refugees throughout Germany.

ACTIONS TAKEN Initiated by JCI Germany and the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth in 2012, the annual project “Strengthen the Youth: 1000 Chances” addresses deprived young people ages 12 to 26 who encounter individual or social barriers during their transition from school into the working environment. Project actions include helping refugees with job applications, interview trainings and insights into the business world to empower and increase this group’s chance to successfully enter the job market.

Supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, JCI Germany conducts the pilot project “Start-Up Your Future” in Berlin-Brandenburg to support newcomers with building their own business. In addition, the project aims at promoting the option of self-employment as a career option for newcomers. The future entrepreneurs participate in a mentorship system that pairs them with local entrepreneurs.

PROJECT IMPACT Since 2012, JCI Germany has conducted several countrywide projects within the framework of the “Strengthen the Youth: 1000 Chances” initiative. In the past year alone, JCI Germany reached over 1600 participants through these various projects providing this marginalized group insights of the German job market.

“Start-Up Your Future” was launched in July 2017, and the first group of newcomers began the program in September 2017. In addition to supporting individual newcomers in establishing their business, the project also aims to connect stakeholders and raise public awareness for future entrepreneurs.

JCI Germany’s two projects addressed challenges (2) Qualifications to Enter the Labor Market; (4) Welcoming Atmosphere, and (5) Employment of Refugees.

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OCTOBER 2016 – SEPTEMBER 2017

OUR REFUGEE INTEGRATION IMPACT

PROJECT: Asylove by JCI Zagreb (Croatia) COMMUNITY NEED Although refugees often receive help to meet basic needs such as three meals a day, clothing, hygienic supplies and temporary housing, possibilities for the refugees within Croatia to connect with community members, enhance their speaking skills and understand the culture of Zagreb is often missing. Without knowledge on the local community’s culture, social integration and economic inclusion into the community is almost impossible.

ACTIONS TAKEN In cooperation with the NGO “Are you Syrious?” JCI Zagreb initiated several opportunities to immerse refugees into the Zagreb community. For example, holding a museum-visit for refugee children as well as planning a birthday celebration for refugee children that showcased Croatian birthday traditions. Projects in current development include dancing classes for adolescents and adults, as well as zoo visit.

PROJECT IMPACT To improve the situation of refugees in Croatia as they wait to be granted asylum, JCI Zagreb’s initiatives provided refugee children and adults the opportunity to

learn more about the culture and people in Croatia by providing interactive, learning experiences. JCI Croatia also built and strengthened their partnership with “Are you Syrious?”

JCI Croatia’s project addressed challenge (4) Welcoming Atmosphere.

Photo Credits: JCI Zagreb (Croatia)

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OCTOBER 2016 – SEPTEMBER 2017

OUR REFUGEE INTEGRATION IMPACT Photo Credits: JCI Belgium

A COLLECTION OF JCI EUROPE PROJECTS ADVANCING REFUGEE INTEGRATION IN THE LABOR FORCE

PROJECT: Stakeholder Discussion by JCI Belgium COMMUNITY NEED During a needs analysis, JCI Belgium found that 26,000 refugees received a residency permit in 2015 and 2016 to stay in Belgium, but only 3% of all refugees older than 25 years are employed.

Therefore, there is a great need to provide more employment opportunities for this marginalized group.

ACTIONS TAKEN To address this need, JCI Belgium united refugees and representatives from all sectors of society for a day-long discussion to elaborate on the integration of refugees into the job market— creating an open and inclusive platform for exchange. Participants included the Belgian Minister of Employment, experts from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the head of the “Task Force” in charge of solving the “refugee crises,” delegates of the public service for unemployment and several heads of NGOs. The objective of this meeting was to exchange views and information about the

situation in Belgium, Wallonia and Europe.

PROJECT IMPACT Over 60 people from all sectors – government, business and civil society – united to discuss the current topic of the integration of refugees and created awareness of the current situation in the community. Refugees from Syria and several African countries shared their stories with the participants, and together they formulated four concrete project ideas JCI Belgium can implement in the future in collaboration with likeminded NGOs. Through this project participants got the opportunity to strengthen and extend their networks to foster an increased future collaboration to enhance the effectiveness of integration of refugees more effective. A resolution was signed and submitted to the regional government.

JCI Belgium’s project addressed challenges (4) Welcoming Atmosphere and presents the first steps toward addressing challenge (5) Employment of Refugees.

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OCTOBER 2016 – SEPTEMBER 2017

OUR REFUGEE INTEGRATION IMPACT PROJECT: Refugee Integration by JCI Quadrivium (the Netherlands) COMMUNITY NEED After completing a needs analysis to understand the challenges regarding refugee integration into the work force within the Netherlands, JCI Quadrivium found the root cause of refugee unemployment is due to the lack of a network, language skills and participation in the social community.

ACTIONS TAKEN To tackle this challenge, JCI Quadrivium developed an initiative to provide employment opportunities for the refugees in their community, which consisted of a flexible training program that included consulting, coaching and skills development sessions. They partnered with the local Rabobank to support the project by providing a training room and materials. The local media created awareness of this initiative by interviewing candidates and writing articles about the project. Job recruiters supported the program by giving free trainings and facilitating practice job interviews.

PROJECT IMPACT Through this project, twelve motivated refugees’ ages 25 to 50 could participate in the program with the end goal of finding employment. In addition to gaining

employment skills, participants were able to practice and develop their Dutch speaking skills. Due to the projects success, it is still ongoing.

JCI the Netherland’s project addressed challenge (5) Employment of Refugees.

A COLLECTION OF JCI EUROPE PROJECTS ADVANCING REFUGEE INTEGRATION IN THE LABOR FORCE

PROJECT: Recruiting Fair by JCI Pori (Finland) COMMUNITY NEED Throughout the past few years, Finland has faced an uncommon flow of asylum seekers, and the infrastructure within the community demonstrated its inability to support the integration of this group. Therefore, JCI Pori conducted a needs analysis to identify the root cause of this local problem. They realized that the ability to work and earn a living is the most effective path to integration, however, there is unfortunate bureaucracy related issues regarding foreigners and especially asylum seekers working in Finland.

ACTIONS TAKEN To integrate refugees into the workforce, JCI Pori hosted an information exchange event with the help of partners, like the Finnish Red Cross, University Consortium of Pori, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Student Union of University Consortium of Pori, Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, The Employment and Economic Development Office and over 20 employers from local companies and organizations.

Sessions were conducted to share information about the Finnish labor market and public employment services, sharing knowledge and specifics detailed in Finnish workforce contracts and laws. Following the event, volunteers participated in the Satarekry-recruitment fair with the local stakeholders; this recruitment fair has been held for several years now and is the largest one in the region.

PROJECT IMPACT This project helped nearly 400 asylum seekers in Pori and Harjavalta enhance their ability to secure employment by offering them knowledge regarding the Finnish work force as well as procedures on how to effectively

search and apply for jobs.

Photo Credit (left): JCI Quadrivium (the Netherlands).

Photo Credit (above): JCI Pori (Finland)

JCI Finland’s project addressed challenge (5) Employment of Refugees.

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