RISE Project Kicks Off with an Event in Brussels 

On May 15-16, migration experts from Italy, Lithuania and Belgium gathered in Brussels to mark the official kick-off of the project RISE – Reinforcing Integration through Sponsorship Enhancement. The event pooled the expertise of representatives from six project partner institutions, along with the representatives from European Commission and IOM Regional Office to discuss and promote sustainable housing solutions and Community sponsorship scheme creation in respective project member states. 

RISE in the context of EU – Project Results to Translate into Good Practices 

Opening the event, Marise Habib, Chief of Mission for IOM Belgium and Luxembourg, emphasized the critical need to reimagine accommodation models amidst the growing shortage of reception places. Ms Habib outlined the broad goals of the project, including improving existing community sponsorship schemes, mobilizing stakeholders, and supporting both sponsors and beneficiaries to create a lasting impact. 

Sofia Reis-Cabral, a project coordinator from European Commission DG Home, underscored the importance of successful project implementation and the spreading of good practices stemming from the RISE project, especially in the European Union context of continuously evolving migrant integration practices. The relevance of RISE project goals and transnational approach was highlighted, directly corresponding to the objectives of the EU AMIF fund.  

Sandra Paola Alvarez, Senior Regional Specialist at IOM Regional Office Brussels, highlighted IOM’s social inclusion approach and various initiatives, which leverage community mentorship and structured housing solutions to facilitate integration. 

A detailed session on the RISE project timeline responded to the call of social inclusion approach by emphasizing the project’s unified approach to community sponsorship and housing. "It is important that we have a common vision and goal - to help foreigners integrate successfully, because upon the arrival in a new country, one of the most important things is where one lives. I hope that by sharing our experiences we will find the best solutions to change the stereotypes regarding migrants", said Vytautas Ežerskis, RISE Project Manager. 

Integration Reimagined – the Cruciality of Cooperation 

The conference continued with a discussion on the conditions required to pilot the CS schemes effectively. Project partners and stakeholders discussed the detailed steps of project activity implementation through the involvement of civil society, relevant stakeholders, creation of comprehensive information packages, and the establishment of continuous support systems for project target groups. 

The kick-off event underscored the collective commitment to addressing the challenges of housing and integration for refugees and displaced persons through innovative community sponsorship models. The collaborative efforts of all partners involved are set to make a significant impact, fostering stronger, more resilient community sponsorship models across Europe. 

RISE project kick-off event took place on May 15-16 in Brussels and united the project Steering Committee members with relevant stakeholders from 3 project countries. The event is part of the project RISE – Reinforcing Integration through Sponsorship Enhancement – funded by the European Union through the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund 2021-2027, and implemented by IOM Belgium and Luxembourg, Italy, and Lithuania, in cooperation with Roma Tre University, Odisee University of Applied Sciences and Refugees Reception Centre Lithuania.