For the EU's Action Plan on Integration

This document presents Caritas Europa’s contribution to the European Commission’s consultation on the Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion in October. It highlights a set of elements for the Action Plan to be effective, and gives examples of Caritas’ initiatives that contribute to the integration and inclusion of migrants in Europe.

The European Commission published its Action Plan in November. It proposes targeted and tailored support to migrants and people with a migrant background in order to contribute to successful integration and inclusion policies and practices. Early action and long-term commitment are recognised as important elements for this, particularly in regard to:

• Inclusive education and training from early childhood to higher education, focusing on faster recognition of qualifications and language learning, with support from EU funds.
• Improving employment opportunities and skills recognition to fully value the contribution of migrant communities, and women in particular, and ensure that they are supported to reach their full potential. The Commission will work with social and economic partners and employers to promote labour market integration, support entrepreneurship and make it easier for employers to recognise and assess skills.
• Dedicated EU funding to promote access to health services for people born outside the EU and opportunities for Member States to exchange best practice.
• Access to adequate and affordable housing funded through the European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund Plus, Asylum and Migration Fund and Invest EU, as well as funding platforms to exchange of experience at local and regional level on fighting discrimination on the housing market and segregation.