As part of the new project dedicated to empowering the voice of migrants and their inclusion in the local community (EMV-LII – Empowering Migrant Voices for Local Integration and Inclusion), Međimurje County is hosting a study visit involving 19 representatives of partners in the field of civil society and non-governmental organizations and public administrations from seven EU Member States. This is a second study visit within this project, in which the Center for Peace Studies Zagreb also participates in addition to Međimurje County.
Representatives of the project partners exchanged experiences with the Platform for Social Center and got to know the initiative “Travels of Integration” aimed at improving the quality of life and the integration of foreign workers in Međimurje County through a participatory approach, as well as the Taste fest event. The cultural and artistic program presented girls from the Russian-speaking Association in Međimurje Kalinka, and members of the Russian national minority pointed out that in Međimurje they have been an active part of the community for many years. Participants of the study visit were also introduced to the inclusive form of care that is nurtured in the center PrinOS in Čakovec and got acquainted with numerous programs and projects of the Public Open University Čakovec.
In the Treasury Hall Međimurje welcomed the Mayor of Međimurje County Matija Posavec: “Međimurje is an example of good practice in many areas, including the domain of involvement of foreign citizens who have found work and hope in a better life in our community. We are an environment that nurtures tolerance and solidarity and our civil society organizations enjoy the support of the County for organizing content designed for better and faster integration of foreigners into our community, especially people from the far world such as Filipinos, Nepal and India, which currently work in Međimurje around 3,300. From our region in the past, a large number of people have emigrated to Germany and even overseas countries in search of economic security, and our mentality has built a sense of solidarity towards people who have had to leave their homeland. Nowadays, when the fluctuation of the labor force is large and many people from Međimurje are working in the EU countries in the environment, such as Slovenia and Austria,” said the prefect, adding that the successful inclusion of foreign workers and settlers is extremely important synergy of all relevant institutions in the country.
“The inclusion of Međimurje County as the first Croatian region in this project speaks of the seriousness of the intention to improve the conditions for the successful integration of people from foreign countries into our society because it is the only way to strengthen the community,” added County Prefect Posavec and invited participants to get acquainted with a piece of rich cultural and historical heritage of Međimurje and its natural beauty.
The participants were also addressed by the Head of the County Office for Civil Society and Human Rights Maja Odrčić Mikulić, and the meeting was attended by the Head of the Administrative Department for Agriculture, Economy and Tourism Darko Radanović and Director of the Public Institution for the Development of REDEA Sandra Polanec Marinović.
The EMV-LII project includes partners from Austria, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Luxembourg and Croatia, and is the holder of the non-profit non-governmental organization Südwind. The aim of the project is to support the development and implementation of local integration strategies by increasing the participation of migrants and their organisations for more effective inclusion at local and regional level, with particular emphasis on involving people with special needs and those in need of international protection such as young migrants and women. The study visit will continue for the next two days in Zagreb, where it is hosting the Center for Peace Studies.
