MEM-VOL Migrant and Ethnic Minority Volunteering

A Transnational Exchange Programme in

Austria - Denmark - France - Germany - The Netherlands - United Kingdom

Financially supported by

European Commission, Employment and Social Affairs, General Directorate and
Federal ministry for family, senior citizens, women and youth, Germany

Phase 1 of the Transnational Exchange Programme: 12/2002 - 08/2003 in the framework of the Community Action Programme to Combat Social Exclusion (2002-2006)

Background

Until now little is known about volunteering of migrants and ethnic minorities, although kinship and neighbourhood networks and ethnic communities are in the focus of research. Volunteering - in favour of the own community or for other groups - might be a means of integration into society in a double sense: e.g. by labour market counselling to facilitate employment or by educational training for children of foreign origin and by developing new skills and qualifications through volunteering. In all member states of the European Union migrants and ethnic minorities suffer from high unemployment. The effects of MEM volunteering as a means of integration - societal, cultural and on the labour market - and as a means of empowerment and development of the civil society is highly underestimated and disregarded. Therefore promoting and facilitating volunteering and self-help of migrants and ethnic minorities will be an important objective to combat social exclusion and poverty.

Objectives

The objectives of the first phase are:

brief outline of the social situation of migrants and ethnic minorities in each country
compiling major findings of research concerning volunteering of migrants and ethnic minorities
identifying key actors and local, regional and national political programmes to facilitate volunteering of migrants and ethnic minorities
identifying and description of some examples of good practice (3-5 in each country)
identifying objectives for phase 2 and application
building up a multi-sectoral partnership in each country that consists of NGOs and local, regional and federal authorities

Methods

The project partners carry out research their respective country - Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and United Kingdom - to compile the above mentioned analyses and reports. On this base transnational meetings will be held in each country with representatives from local, regional, national authorities, from self-organisations of migrants and ethnic minorities and welfare organisations.

Findings

The project findings will be disseminated in national reports and a European synopsis both as publications and on the internet in September 2003. They will be presented to decision makers in local, regional, national and European authorities to promote and facilitate the further development of MEM volunteering.