As of 01 January 2023, the European Union, home to 448.

8 million people, included 27.

3 million non-EU citizens, representing 6.

1% of the population.

Two major developments have shaped the European migration debate in 2023: the war in Ukraine and the rise in irregular arrivals and asylum applications from other regions.

The Ukrainian refugee crisis is the largest in Europe since WWII, with 4.

3 million Ukrainian refugees recorded in EU Member States.

In the first ten months of 2023 alone, nearly a million asylum applications were submitted, marking a 21.

3% increase from the previous year and the highest number since 2016.

While national governments develop migration policies, integration happens at the local level.

City and municipal governments play a crucial role in providing services and engaging with diverse communities.

Sharing good practices of local integration across European regions is essential.

Migrants face various barriers to integration, including language and cultural unfamiliarity, uncertain residency status, insufficient education and housing options, and mismatches between skills and local job markets.

Effective integration into the labor market is key, as it reduces dependence on social services and fosters broader societal integration.

Migrants bring valuable skills and experiences, potentially revitalizing regions facing population decline and brain drain.

Therefore, accelerating their inclusion in local labor markets and leveraging their competencies is crucial for both the individuals and the host regions.

This webinar seeks to explore good practices in various parts of Europe that have facilitated labor market integration for newcomers.

Keynote speech

The labour market mentors programme from Saxony has impressive results, having in just 3.

5 years placed over 1,500 mentees in employment and over 370 mentees in vocational training.

These results show that the hands-on approach of matching migrants with such mentors can lead to their better integration to the labour market and society.

Notable is that the programme also works on the employer side – raising their awareness and providing advice and guidance on how to recruit migrants and integrate them to the company.

Interreg Europe Good practices in the spotlight 

The Maramures County Employment Agency as provided multiple types of societal and labour market integration services for Ukrainian refugees.

The Plan Einstein U-RLP project offers opportunities for meaningful interactions between asylum-seekers and residents right from the start.

A prime example is the Build Your Own Future program—a three-month initiative featuring weekly workshops and personal guidance to transform ideas into concrete action plans for launching a business or securing employment.

By the end of this program, participants will understand the feasibility of their business ideas or employment opportunities, incorporating strategies such as design thinking and effectuation.