Sharing experiences in working with refugees in Foligno, Italy and Málaga, Spain
Author: Klára Švadlenková & Petra Srdínková, Kalyna – Community Refugee Centre, Pardubice, Czech Republic
Published: 21/03/2024
Erasmus+ is a European training programme through which participants can collaborate in an international space and gain experience. Thanks to the Erasmus+ Mobility of Individuals grant several employees and close collaborators of Kalyna – Community Centre had the opportunity to go abroad. The participants of the project were able to share their experience, gain new knowledge and inspiration for their work and, last but not least, establish international cooperation.
Migration is an integral part of human society and it is essential that people working with foreigners are prepared and able to respond effectively to migration waves, the refugee crisis and, last but not least, to the needs of migrants themselves. This fact was also a reason to draw inspiration outside the Czech Republic through the Erasmus+ educational project. One of the goals of the project was, for example, to be able to design educational and leisure activities for the Ukrainian community and thus contribute to the development of the community and the sending organization. The implementation of the mobility programme took place in October and November 2023 in Foligno, Italy and Málaga, Spain. Participants deepened their knowledge and skills across various spectrums of working with foreigners and refugees. During the mobility, visits to several organisations working with refugees were carried out. These organizations provide and at the same time help with further education to their clients and offer them other activities that lead to better integration into the majority. Clients in these institutions were both adults and children. Thanks to the mobility, participants had the opportunity not only to discuss the various activities and help offered, but also to participate in them directly.
During the mobility, participants gained valuable skills, knowledge and information, especially in the approach of organisations working with refugees in the field of tutoring, psychological support and assistance, as well as in how they organise and implement events for children and adults. It was also interesting to look into the financing and structure of individual organizations. There is excellent cooperation between the various institutions in Málaga that offer their help and services to migrants. There are regular meetings where they share experience, good practice and solve various other problems related to the integration of foreigners into Spanish society.
Participation in the mobility had a positive benefit not only in that the participants were confirmed that they are doing their job well, but also that there is always the opportunity to draw new inspiration, share knowledge and share experiences. The mobility programme has achieved very useful and interesting results. The participants not only fulfilled their set tasks and goals, but also managed to try out some of the experience they had gained and put it into practice within their sending organization.
A big thank you to all participants in the mobility for their dedication and desire to educate themselves and thus improve the environment of the sending organization in relation to the Ukrainian community, but also to the general public.
This great experience is an impulse especially for those who want to improve in their work, get inspired, share good practice and educate themselves within the EU. The projects offered by Erasmus+ offer a great opportunity to achieve your visions and goals, while moving yourself and your sending organisation forward.
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