To improve the reception and integration of refugees and migrants, the city of Gexto launched AUZOLANA - a social intervention pilot programme for reinforcing and improving the integration of those requesting international protection. The project involved official actors and voluntary community networks who participated in the development of social accompaniment and mentoring.
In 2017, the Getxo City Council signed an agreement drafted by the Basque Government with the Spanish Refuge Aid Commission (CEAR) for the pilot initiative AUZOLANA. The agreement lasts for four years with the possibility of extending it for another four. This agreement includes active municipal participation including the provision of two homes with nine places which can be allocated within the State Refugee System.
The objectives and activities in the pilot were divided into two phases. The first phase was to improve the Refugee-Adaptation. This initial phase lasted six to nine months. A Commission for Shelter and Integration has created AUZOLANA involving the following entities:
· City Council, Social Cohesion Department
· Local voluntary group set up with the NGO PERUALDE.
· Spanish Refuge Aid Commission (CEAR), Basque Country, management body for the state level refugee programme.
The Spanish Refuge Aid Commission (CEAR), Basque Country, has drafted the Management System for Refuge and Integration Manual. Through this manual, the specialised technical staff can offer the participants housing and maintenance, as well as provide social intervention initiatives, psychological assistance, education and training, interpretation and translation and legal advice. In conjunction with the Basque Government and the City Council there is a focus on priority access to the health and education system for minors and adults.
In collaboration with PERUALDE, local volunteers (around 20 people) participate in becoming MENTORS in order to provide social accompaniment, language learning support, help in participating in the social, cultural and sport life of the city as well as employment integration in agreement with the foundation INTEGRANDO (collaborative entity of LANBIDE, the Basque Employment Service).The Basque Government has allocated funds for financing these actions.
During the first phase, refugees were accompanied by PERUALDE and the City Council in the search for housing on the housing market. They then continued to the next phase of the project.
The second phase is the Integration-Autonomy Phase and is implemented within six to nine months. The Families entering into the Basque Social Services System are assigned a local social worker in Getxo. After this, a normalised itinerary begins. Additionally, the SOCIAL MENTORING and SOCIO-EMPLOYMENT accompaniment by PERUALDE and the Foundation INTEGRANDO continue. Refugee families are also encouraged to act as mentors for new families as they arrive. As in the first phase, the Basque Government provides funds for the financing of the work done by the voluntary body PERUALDE, and the work carried out by the Getxo City Council. In this phase, employment is a priority and people engage with PERUALDE/the Foundation INTEGRANDO to search for work. Finally, the post-process will be assessed and the project initiatives improved.
The Basque Government together with other entities will prepare an action plan for the families who continue to be in a situation of vulnerability at the end of the process. Additionally, the Basque Government is working on the modification of the Income Guarantee and Social Inclusion Law 12/2008, ensuring that those who request international protection can access the Basque social protection system. For those who are been denied international protection and face unexpected legal irregularity, the Bizkaia Provincial Government will play an essential role.
Five families of different origin (Syria, Venezuela, El Salvador) participated in the pilot project. Indicators from the integration of the families in the second phase demonstrate the importance of the community’s collaborative work. Similarly, the success in acquiring rental housing on the free market indicates the benefit of the social mentor. In the case of the Syrian families, the support of a local interpreter from PERUALDE appears to have been crucial, particularly with regard to access the Health and Education System. Here the work went beyond interpretation to include social accompaniment.
The families highlighted the satisfactory welcome and support they received from PERUALDE network. Throughout 2019, further statements will be collected by the LOTURAK Programme (Links for a welcoming city).
Following the success, the Basque Government is systemising the AUZOLANA initiative and outcome indicators for the integration process are being drawn up. The Getxo City Council has further contracted the Ellacuría Foundation to carry out an accompaniment and systematisation service.
This is a Multilevel Project which has been promoted by the Basque Government through the signing of an agreement with the Spanish Government (Ministry of Employment and Social Services (MEYSS). The Basque Government has an agreement with seven Basque city councils (Amurrio, Galdakao, Getxo, Laudio, Portugalete, Tolosa and Zarautz). The project also involves management bodies for the state refugee programme such as the Red Cross and Spanish Refuge Aid Commission (CEAR). Finally, the MPDL Movement for Peace and Disarmament and Freedom also cooperated with the project.
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