LINK IT

The LINK IT project aimed at delivering better integration outcomes for Syrian refugees resettled from Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey to Germany, Portugal, Romania and the United Kingdom. The project focused on strengthening the link between pre‑departure and post‑arrival integration support of refugees through:

Conducting pre‑departure skills profiling

A new pre‑departure skills profiling tool, adapted from the EU’s Skills Profiling Tool for Third-Country Nationals, targeting Syrian refugees has been developed and piloted within the project. The data gathered from the pilot was made available to share with relevant stakeholders to inform post‑arrival integration policy measures.

Strengthening post‑arrival support

The project strengthened post‑arrival integration support for Syrian refugees by developing new post‑arrival orientation curricula and by delivering information sessions and IT literacy training opportunities to Syrian refugees. New reception guides and videos were also developed to further orient refugees post‑arrival and mentoring sessions between volunteers and refugees were also undertaken to strengthen refugees’ mentorship schemes.

Preparing host communities

A training curricula for local authorities and employers was developed to better prepare them in catering to refugees’ needs. Training sessions were also delivered to support local authorities in service delivery and employers on the hiring of refugees.

Facilitating transnational exchange

The project facilitated the exchange and sharing of best and innovative practice and mutual learning between transnational, regional, national authorities and civil society organizations in the participating countries. Knowledge management tools including the Skills Profiling Report and Integration Best Practice guide were also produced and a final conference was organized to present lessons learned and recommendations emanating from the project.

LINK IT was implemented by IOM in partnership with the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), the British Refugee Council (BRC), JRS Romania, Caritas Friedland and the Conselho Português Para Os Refugiados (CPR).

The project was funded by the European Union’s Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and ran from 2018 to 2019.

To have more information about the project, please contact link-it@iom.int.

Download the LINK IT material produced in each country

Germany

For more information on LINK IT activities in Germany, please contact Andrea Schulte.

• First steps in Germany (English)
• Refugee Experiences
• Pre-departure Skills Profiling Report - German
• Post‑arrival Integration Support for Newly Arrived Refugees - German
• Preparing Host Communities to Support Resettled Refugees - German

LINK IT in Germany was implemented in partnership with Caritas Friedland.

Portugal

For more information on LINK IT activities in Portugal, please contact Sofia Cruz.

• Resettlement to Portugal (English)
• Resettlement to Portugal (Arabic)
• Pre‑departure Skills Profiling - Portuguese
• Post-arrival Integration Support for Newly Arrived Refugees - Portuguese
• Preparing Host Communities to Support Resettled Refugees - Portuguese

LINK IT in Portugal was implemented in partnership with Conselho Português para os Refugiados.

Romania

For more information on LINK IT activities in Romania, please contact Maria Voica.

• Life in Romania (English)
• Pre‑departure Skills Profiling - Romanian
• Post‑arrival Integration Support for Newly Arrived Refugees - Romanian
• Preparing Host Communities to Support Resettled Refugees - Romanian

LINK IT in Romania was implemented in partnership with JRS Romania.

United Kingdom

For more information on LINK IT activities in the United Kingdom, please contact Nathan Denne.

• Skills Profiling Report
• Post‑arrival Orientation Sessions Curriculum
• Preparing Host Communities Curriculum

LINK IT in the United Kingdom was implemented in partnership with the British Refugee Council.

Funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund of the European Union
(2014-2020)