On April 4, 2025, RISE project hosted a webinar titled “Empowering Communities: Insights and Recommendations on Community Sponsorship”, which explored the development and impact of community sponsorship programs in Belgium, Italy, and Lithuania. Moderated by Vytautas Ežerskis, RISE Project Manager at the IOM Vilnius Office, the webinar provided an in-depth look at the newly released RISE Assessment Report “Insights and Recommendations on Community Sponsorship: Perspectives from Volunteers, Forced Migrants, and Key Stakeholders in Belgium, Italy, and Lithuania.”

Bringing together 75 participants from 46 organizations across 14 countries, the webinar featured five key speakers who shared their expertise in research, migration, social inclusion, and integration. The discussions offered key insights and recommendations from the discussions and presentations.

The webinar offered a comprehensive overview of the current state and future potential of community sponsorship programs. Expert panelists emphasized the critical role of housing in the successful integration of refugees, noting that adequate housing is essential for dignity, autonomy, and the fulfillment of basic needs. The discussions revealed significant challenges in many regions due to uneven distribution of services and limited infrastructure. However, intermediary support can bridge gaps between landlords and forced migrants, facilitating better housing solutions. The importance of local authorities in creating housing opportunities and simplifying administrative procedures was also highlighted, showcasing the need for collaborative efforts at multiple levels of governance.

Volunteer support and training emerged as another crucial theme. The webinar highlighted the diverse profiles of volunteers, predominantly female and highly educated, and stressed the need for more diverse gender representation and the mobilization of younger demographics. The lack of formal training and mentorship for volunteers was identified as a significant gap, with recommendations for comprehensive screening processes and structured training programs to better prepare volunteers. The motivations of volunteers, driven by moral duty, a sense of fulfillment, and social networks, were discussed, along with the diverse and comprehensive support they provide across various life domains. Continuous support for both volunteers and refugees was deemed essential, including ongoing administrative and legal assistance throughout the sponsorship.

The panel discussions and Q&A sessions provided deeper insights into the practical aspects of community sponsorship. Participants inquired about the profiles of community sponsors, the role of local authorities, and the challenges faced by refugees in different settings. The diversity of community sponsors, including retired persons, faith-based individuals, and those with a background in activism, was highlighted. The need for formal matching processes and comprehensive screening of volunteers and accommodations was emphasized to ensure successful integration. The discussions also underscored the importance of engaging a diverse range of volunteers and activating the wider society through targeted recruitment strategies. Overall, the webinar underscored the potential of community sponsorship to create resilient and cohesive communities through shared responsibilities and collaborative efforts of public authorities, local communities, and private actors. The discussions and main insights of the webinar have been compiled into a comprehensive thematic brief.