From the local to the national context From Athens Coordination Center for Migrant & Refugee issues to Cities Network for Integration
Greece: the current situation in numbers ARRIVALS 2016 2017 2018 176.906 35.052 49.158 Cumulative arrivals 2018 Source: ΙΟΜ/UNHCR
ACCMR: A COORDINATION HUB In June 2017 ACCMR was set up following a public-private partnership (City of Athens & Stavros Niarchos Foundation). Adopting an innovative, bottom-up, participatory approach to integration which strengthens cooperation between the City of Athens and civil society organizations. FOUNDING DONOR
ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR Developing strategic tools & mechanisms 6 Working Committees-92 organizations 1st census on refugee population → Athens Observatory on Migrant & Refugee issues 1st strategic action plan for the City of Athens 1st preparedness guide for a greek municipality ACCMR digital platform: 100 registered members & 116 services uploaded Strengthening synergies 65 proposals for action submitted by ACCMR members 1000 participants in events organized by ACCMR 1 10 workshops/capacity building trainings
THE CITIES NETWORK FOR INTEGRATION: ACCMR assumes key role at national level 13 Municipalities since January 2017: Leading the capacity building & exchange of know how process Mapping needs at local level & shaping tools at national level Addressing common challenges & developing a common language for responses
PROCESS December 2017: Joint declaration by Municipality of Athens and Thessaloniki January 2018: Municipality of Athens and Thessaloniki signing an MoU November 2018: Gradual accession in the MoU by 11 more municipalities in Greece December 2018: International Organization for Migration (IOM) undertakes the support of the Cities Network for Integration
PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES Methodological guides for the development of technical tools on integration Establishment of local working groups 17 bilateral meetings among working groups Initial assessment of needs & gaps of member Municipalities Initial mapping of existing structures & services of member Municipalities Launch of the development process of local integration plans by 5 Municipalities
WHAT’S NEXT Formalizing Network’s institutional identity Specifying Network’s strategic goals at institutional level Strengthening and deepening cooperation in the context of local working groups Setting up common recommendations based on local working groups consultation findings Further developing internal coordination tools and procedures Implementation of joint activities, pilot projects, field assessments & submission of joint funding proposals