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Insights on the joint CEB-OECD Conference on the Local Integration of Refugees

Publication date: 11 May 2023

One year after Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the CEB and the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE) jointly organised an expert-level conference to reflect and reassess how well European reception and integration systems function at the local level during "refugee shocks". Based on the CEB and the OECD research as well as experience from practitioners, the conference aimed at highlighting the key role played by sub-national authorities in the integration of refugees. The panel debates focused on identifying policy and financing challenges and opportunities for all stakeholders involved.

Conference_refugees_February_2023.jpgThe event benefitted from the insights of seventeen high-level speakers from non-governmental organisations, regional and local authorities, international organisations, and the research sector. Opening statements were delivered by the CEB’s Vice Governor in charge of Social Development, Johannes Böhmer, and by the OECD’s Deputy Director of the CFE, Nadim Ahmad. Over 150 people joined the event, both remotely and in person.

The CEB and the OECD are confident that the conversations and ideas exchanged during this conference will contribute to shaping resilient and responsive refugee integration practices in an uncertain future.

As outlined by Dorothée Allain Dupré, Head of the OECD’s Regional Development and Multi-level Governance Division, the conference enabled the identification of eight main take-aways to strengthen refugee support and integration systems.

  1. In light of an increased politicisation of integration policies, providing evidence and data is fundamental.

  2. Sharing inspiring examples of successful integration initiatives from different parts of the world is essential for regions, cities and governments to continue improve their integration policies.

  3. Multi-sector and multi-level governance are an imperative in the management of the refugee crisis, as a lack of coordination across these different layers affects the delivery of critical public services.

  4. Developing place-based approaches is necessary to ensure the integration of refugees. A one-size-fits-all approach will not = work.

  5. Ensuring a more geographically balanced contribution of migrants to regional development is a key challenge, which depends on creating the right coordination mechanisms across levels of government.

  6. NGOs play a critical role in supporting refugees, both in terms of providing direct assistance and creating opportunities for employment and social interaction.

  7. Sub-national governments need financial and administrative support to make the most of existing funding sources.

  8. The “dual-intent” approach to integration should be promoted. That consists of = making sure that the skills of refugees continue to be built and their integration facilitated, while at the same time not hampering their return home once the situation allows.
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See also the presentations of our speakers and the full concluding remarks:

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