Exploring social innovation approaches for the social and economic integration of non-EU nationals
The overall objective of the project is to enhance the capacities of decision-makers in nine rural areas previously subject to declining and ageing populations to successfully integrate young non-EU nationals into social life and employment to stabilise their demography. To that aim, approaches based on social innovation shall be introduced, refitted to respond to the specific characteristics of rural areas, tested and assessed whether they are capable to lead to the desired results. A tool-box of possible approaches shall be provided to local decision-makers, accompanied by trainings. Furthermore, the project also aims to change the foremost negative perspective on migration of non-EU nationals to one where its potentials are seen and actively explored.

Partners in ARRIVAL REGIONS will first exchange their experiences and explore approaches of social innovation that appear to be successful elsewhere. Together with the scientific partners involved in the project, the identified good practices will be reshaped to prepare their implementation in rural areas with a shrinking “native” population. For a period of 12 to 18 months, nine novel approaches will be piloted in Central European areas. Their effectiveness will be evaluated both through quantitative indicators and stakeholder workshops (qualitative criteria) to determine their success. Seminars and other capacity building measures are implemented in parallel together with stakeholders. Those which have delivered the desired results become subject of a tool-box which helps a larger number of public authorities to apprehend and unleash the potentials of inward migration of non-EU nationals.

The project’s outputs are a tool-box for public authorities composed by successfully tested approaches to spur the integration of non-EU nationals in rural areas, a pilot project carried out in each addressed territory and a series of trainings focussing on the established social innovation-based approaches.