The EU project EMV-LII “Strengthening migrant voices for local integration and inclusion” , a continuation of the EMVI project 2022 – 2023, held its project kick-off meeting in Graz from 14 to 16 May 2024. Representatives of the partner countries Germany, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Luxembourg and Slovenia will come together with the Austrian team from Lustenau, Vienna and Graz (City of Graz, Südwind and Migrant Advisory Board Graz). The 19 multi-stakeholder partners (9 NGOs, migrant organisations and local and regional authorities) will discuss the implementation of the new project. The main objective is to support the development and implementation of local integration strategies by strengthening the participation of migrant organisations with a view to more effective integration at local and regional level. A special focus will be on persons in need of international protection, as well as on young migrants and women. As in the previous EMVI project, the Graz Migrant Advisory Council and the integration policy of the city of Graz are also providing the partner countries with valuable experiences as examples of good practice in this EMV-LII project.
The first day began with a welcoming speech by Mayor Elke Kahr, followed by introductory words by Irina Karamarković (Chair of the Graz Migrants’ Advisory Council) and Godswill Eyawo (Managing Director of the Graz Migrants’ Advisory Council). Wolfgang Rajakovics (Department of Education and Integration, City of Graz) concluded by explaining the integration strategy of the City of Graz.
The second day of the EMV-LII kick-off meeting started at the Migrant Advisory Council Graz, where Robert Krozter (City Councillor for Integration and Health) and Masomah Regl (Office of Integration City Councillor Robert Krotzer) gave insights into their role as politically responsible for the area of integration and the integration mission statement for Graz adopted by the City Council.
Irina Karamarković (Chair of the Migrant Advisory Council) explained the tasks of the advisory council. The delegation then visited Chiala – Culture. Diversity. Development , where Kamdem Mou Poh á Hom explained his organization’s initiatives to support the African community. He also gave valuable insights into his previous involvement in the Migrant Advisory Council. The tour ended with a visit to the Seddwell International Welcome Office , which supports the international community with information and social activities.
In addition to visiting a number of migrant initiatives and the socio-cultural program of the three-day conference, the project participants met to discuss the detailed points for an effective implementation of the three-year project.
At the end of the meeting on the last day, the delegates took part in a cultural storytelling afternoon. After a presentation of the FemmesTisch project of the women’s service , a city tour presented examples of projects to increase the visibility of migrants in Graz, such as the festival of migrant associations and the photo exhibition “We have a Dream” . During a visit to the Farsi Library , the participants learned more about their literary activities and the Living Library project . The tour ended with the installation of the storytelling trees , with a performance by a Kenyan poetry slammer.
