Beatrice Romana Verga

In this second article, we will take a closer look at key aspects of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, as part of our ongoing series on the subject.

Refugee integration in the context of the Pact

Integrating refugees is a complex task requiring coordination at national, local and EU levels. The new Pact on Migration and Asylum emphasizes that successful integration is essential for a well-managed migration policy, social cohesion and a dynamic economy. 

Although national governments are primarily responsible for creating and implementing social policies, the EU plays a crucial role in providing funding, developing guidance, and fostering partnerships between EU countries.

The 2021-2027 “Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion” promotes inclusion for all, recognizing the contribution of migrants to the EU and addressing the barriers that can hinder their participation and inclusion in the society. It highlights the need for both individual efforts and support from the host community for effective integration.

Key measures for refugee integration include:

1. Access to Labor Market and Education 

Ensuring refugees can enter the workforce quickly is central to their integration, so they can contribute to the local economies. This involves recognizing professional qualifications, providing language training, and supporting entrepreneurship. The EU also promotes skills recognition to fully value their contribution, particularly for women, and ensure that they are supported to reach their full potential. It also works with employers and economic partners to enhance labor market integration. Education — not only for schooling but also for higher education — including faster recognition of qualifications and language training are also essential for broader social integration.

2. Social Support and Housing

The Pact stresses the importance of access to adequate and just social services, psychological support — in particular to overcome possible trauma situations — and stable housing for refugees. Collaboration with NGOs and local authorities is key to providing tailored housing solutions and ensuring refugees have equal access to healthcare.

3. Cultural and Social Inclusion 

Integration goes beyond economic and material support, as we’ve already said, and it requires active participation in social and cultural life. The Pact encourages initiatives to foster intercultural dialogue, fight discrimination, and reduce the risk of marginalization, helping refugees to foster a sense of belonging to the community.

4. Solidarity Among Member States

Migration flows management is a shared responsibility among Member States and the Pact proposes solidarity mechanisms to ensure an equitable distribution of refugees across the Union. This ensures that no single country bears an unfair burden and provides necessary resources and support to countries with greater capacity.

These measures aim to ensure that refugees can integrate fully into their host societies, contributing to both social cohesion and economic vitality.

Challenges in Refugee Integration 

Despite the positive intentions of the Pact, refugee integration presents different  challenges that must be addressed through innovative and long-term solutions, such as rejection and social discrimination: in certain regions, refugees face hostility and discrimination for various reasons (for example religion or ethnicity); these social barriers can hinder refugees’ access to jobs, housing, and essential services, making it harder for them to integrate effectively.

Another obstacle can be language barriers, since language remains one of the most significant challenges to integration, as it prevents refugees from communicating with the local population, participating in the workforce, and accessing essential services.

One more difficulty to face can often be labor market integration, because even when refugees have access to the job market, they may struggle to validate their professional qualifications or face discrimination in employment. 

These obstacles can delay their full integration into the workforce.

Conclusions and Future Perspectives 

The Pact on Migration and Asylum marks a crucial step toward a more equitable and humane migration and asylum system in Europe. While the proposed measures have the potential to enhance refugee integration, ongoing commitment is essential to address and overcome persistent challenges. 

Refugees should not be merely seen as an emergency to manage, but as a valuable resource that can enrich host societies. Successful integration requires the collaborative efforts of all societal actors — governmental, economic, and civil — and a long-term vision that goes beyond the immediate urgency of migration flows. 

As the EU continues to refine its policies, the true measure of success will be sustained cooperation — both within the EU and with countries of origin — ensuring that integration is not just an objective, but a shared responsibility.

This is not the end! Next week we will explore the links between the Pact and Higher Education. Don’t miss it!