Integration services in Portugal: accompanying migrants to ensure social cohesion & a future for all
During the last EPIC International Networking Path in Amadora (Portugal), last September 2022, we learned from innovative local practices supporting people of migrant background.
The “12-15 Project”, fights school dropout, and significantly decreases absenteeism and the underachievement of youngsters, mainly from a migrant background, who dropped out of school or who are at risk of doing so. The commitment to offer these children a second chance is the main driving force of this local project in Amadora, supported by the Municipality.
The JRS Lisbon centre Centro Pedro Arrupe provides shelter and individualised follow-up to 25 residents, making available a multidisciplinary technical team, composed in part of former residents. Individuals are accompanied towards sustainable autonomy through access to the labour market, full citizenship and housing. The centre aims to be anchored in local life and to ensure good social cohesion between the residents of the centre and the neighbourhood by offering cultural activities open to all.