To be inclusive and effective, integration policies need to be codesigned by refugees

Everyone should have a say in the decisions that affect them. MPG’s research points out the need for including refugees in the design of comprehensive integration policies.

Restrictive policies that limit refugees’ access to jobs, housing, and education create a ‘vicious circle’ of exclusion that reinforces fear and separation. Our report, titled “Do Migration Policies Work?”, highlights that inclusive policies foster a positive cycle of integration. They promote openness and interaction. Leading to improved public attitudes towards migration and providing newcomers with greater opportunities to take part in society.

Unfortunately, many EU countries have structural weaknesses in their refugee integration policies. MPG’s comparative report of the National Integration Evaluation Mechanism (NIEM), based on contributions from 14 EU countries, reveals large gaps in areas such as access to education, employment and housing. While some countries have high scores, such as Sweden (72.5 out of 100), others, including Hungary (32.8), Poland (36.9), Bulgaria (37.1) and Romania (38.5), find themselves at the other end of the spectrum. Interestingly, the countries lacking robust integration systems have welcomed the most people fleeing the war in Ukraine. These deficits in refugee integration policies put the well‐being and opportunities of people displaced from Ukraine at risk.

Member states should kick‐start the creation of comprehensive refugee integration. Together with UNHCR, we developed a toolkit on the effective inclusion of refugees. This Toolkit helps local actors build participatory approaches locally. It also offers practical advice to local actors to put in place services and policies that provide appropriate housing, access to documentation and social and economic inclusion for all refugees. Their participation in the design and development of projects is crucial to build more effective policies and foster inclusion in host communities.

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