(Ended) Technical Support to the High Commission for Migration

Through a direct request from the High Commission for Migration (ACM I.P.) of Portugal, and funded by the Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) of the European Commission, IOM Portugal is assessing and evaluating the services and operations of the National Support Centres for the Integration of Migrants in Portugal.

The Action focuses on the assessment of i) the relevance and effectiveness of the three National Centres for Migrant Integration  (CNAIMs) – Porto, Lisbon, and Faro; ii) the relevance and effectiveness of the Migrant Support Line (LAM) and of the Telephone Translation Service (STT); iii)  the sociocultural mediation model operated at CNAIMs and potential recommendations to enhance this model to support the integration of migrants in Portugal; and iv) the coordination and monitoring mechanisms of the Network of Local Centres for the Integration of Migrants (CLAIMs). The Action comprehends an assessment of their overall integrated response.

This action follows previous evaluations undertaken by IOM in 2006, 2008 and 2010. This assessment includes a varied range of data collection and data analysis instruments, including documental analysis (regarding legislation, reports, and statistical data), interviews and participatory workshops with a wide range of stakeholders (ACM and other public institutions’ representatives, and CLAIM’s representatives), and surveys with CNAIM’s and CLAIM’s staff, users, and non-users. A set of reports and recommendations have been delivered to ACM.

One of the project’s outputs focuses on a deeper understanding of intercultural mediation and makes recommendations for improving policies and practices in the European Union. In comparing good practices on intercultural mediation for migrants in various EU countries, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy and Spain stood out with a range of solid, innovative experiences. Moreover, the study includes a variety of mediation contexts, such as integration of migrants into education and health-care services. The findings and recommendations can be used in similar contexts, where a novel approach to migrants’ integration and social cohesion is required.

About the Portuguese services to support migrant’s integration

The High Commission for Migration (ACM I.P.) is responsible for the setting up and management of the National Support Network for the Integration of Migrants (RNAIM).

As of the beginning of 2022, this Network is composed by 4 National Support Centres for the Integration of Migrants (in Porto, Lisboa, Faro, and Beja), 135+ Local Support Centres for the Integration of Migrants (spread across the territory, promoted through partnerships with local actors, mainly municipalities and NGOs) and the remote support services Migrant Support Line (LAM) and Telephone Translation Service (STT). These services have been playing a key role on migrant integration in Portugal since 2004.

The RNAIM has been created and promoted with the purpose of offering an integrated approach to migrants’ integration needs, through multi-channel services and inter-agency partnerships.

One cornerstone of Portugal’s migrant integration policy is the One-Stop-Shop model and intercultural mediation approach, adopted in 2004 with the creation of the CNAIM initiative, which has been granted the UN Public Service Award in 2019. The CNAIM have been designed to facilitate access to different public services through a one-stop-shop model, access to information and counselling, and integrated case management and solution. They are intended to help migrants overcome communication and cultural barriers through staff with migratory background and linguistic abilities that enable them to perform mediation functions.