Building welcome from the ground up: European small and rural communities engaging in refugee resettlement

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Abstract

This study aims to deepen understanding of how refugee resettlement to small or rural localities is experienced by both refugees and receiving communities, drawing on interviews with local stakeholders and refugees in four EU countries (Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden). These interviews pointed to a number of strategies and policy approaches that have emerged at the local level to create sustainable integration pathways for refugees resettled to small and rural areas and to help receiving communities reap the potential benefits of engaging in resettlement: kickstarting refugee integration before arrival; preparing receiving communities and service providers; encouraging sustained interactions between newcomers and other residents; supporting refugees’ long-term integration; and weaving refugee resettlement into local development.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What works to build welcoming and inclusive communities?

Numerous interventions to build welcoming and inclusive communities are available, with varying degrees of evidence of effectiveness. Strong evidence supports the effectiveness of structured, facilitated contact-based interventions and bystander interventions in reducing ethnic prejudice and improving well-being of people targeted by racism. Suggestive evidence specific to foreign-born groups is consistent with these findings. Strong evidence […]

About this study

AGE: Multiple Age Groups

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: Multiple countries

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: Varies

INTERVENTION: Community initiatives

OUTCOME AREA: Inclusive Communities

POPULATION: LGBTQI+ Clients

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2020

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