evaluation of the trans-national -...

EVALUATION OF THE TRANS-NATIONAL

COOPERATION PARTNERSHIP

INTERIM REPORT

STUDY VISIT - MALTA

DR. ROBERT VASSALLO, B.A. (LEGAL & HUMANISTIC), DIP. NOT. PUB., LL.D.

NOTARY PUBLIC, MALTA; COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS

NOVEMBER 2006

I n d e x

INDEX...............................................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY.............................................................................2

1.1 PURPOSE OF EVALUATION....................................................................................................2

1.2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF PASSI .........................................................................................3

CHAPTER 2: WORK COMPLETED AND METHODOLOGY ............................................................6

2.1 EVALUATION FRAMEWORK AND METHODOLOGY .............................................................6

2.2 FIELD DATA COLLECTION ....................................................................................................7

CHAPTER 3: RESULTS .....................................................................................................................8

3.1 IMPACT ..................................................................................................................................8

3.2 RELEVANCE ...........................................................................................................................9

3.3 EFFECTIVENESS....................................................................................................................10

3.4 EFFICIENCY..........................................................................................................................12

3.5 SUSTAINABILITY ..................................................................................................................13

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS ......................................................................14

ANNEX 1: ABBREVIATIONS USED ...............................................................................................16

ANNEX 2: SAMPLE OF THE MALTESE STUDY VISIT EVALUATION SHEETS ............................17

ANNEX 3: PARTICIPANTS REPORT – STUDY VISIT - MALTA ...................................................24

1

C h a p t e r 1

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 1.1 PURPOSE OF EVALUATION

This study visit was the third one of the PASSI trans-national partnership.

Together with the Trans-National Meetings and the Deliverables, Study visits are

a key component of the PASSI partnership results. Study visits aim at providing

the partnership with a further understanding of all involved organisations and

will act as a showcase for best practices and transfer of knowledge between

different countries. The following themes were chosen for the study visits:

1. Training courses for AS: logistics and methodology;

2. Innovative ways to put AS into the labour market;

3. The availability of social partners to integrate the AS; and

4. Conditions for reception and temporary accommodation.

The study visit hosted in Malta between the 21st and the 24th September 2006

dealt on the third theme: The availability of social partners to integrate the AS.

Although this was the main focus, other themes were touched upon, mainly the

fourth theme concerning the conditions for reception. This merge of themes is

evidenced in the outline provided by the hosting organisation and in the

thematic study visit report produced by the participants. 1

A delegation of thirteen people attended the visit: two from Greece; three from

Germany; three from Italy; and five from Portugal. All participants answered the

1 This report is attached as Annex 3.

2

evaluation sheets. However, five questionnaires duly were filled in, one for each

visiting country including the hosting country. There were a total of five

questions left unanswered all being of the Sending Organisation Evaluation

Sheet: Question 1 by three countries; and Questions 7 and 8 by two countries.

The purpose of this evaluation tool is to assess the outcomes of this particular

study visit vis-à-vis the aims and objectives set out and according to the

evaluation framework identified in the inception report.

1.2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF PASSI

PASSI is formed by five partners which are Germany,2 Greece,3 Italy,4 Malta5

and Portugal.6 These countries constantly face identical problems and

difficulties when dealing with AS:

i. lower school education and little or no vocational qualifications;

ii. the labour market seems reluctant to employ members from such

groups, mainly due to racism and discrimination;

iii. society in general often adopts an uninterested, and sometimes a

rejecting, attitude;

iv. the living conditions of the temporary reception centres and rented

apartments;

v. the language barrier; and

2 Project Employment and Education International (Arbeit und Bildung International), handled by the agency DGB-Bildungswerk Thüringen e.V.3 Project Aktinergia (Ακτινεργία), coordinated by the Hellenic Red Cross. 4 Project Orizzonti, coordinated by Ecipar Ferrara Scarl. 5 Project Integration of Asylum Seekers in the Maltese Society, coordinated by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services. 6 Project Vias de Interculturalidade na Àrea do Asilo (Portugal) (VIAAS) is coordinated by Conselho Português para os Refugiados.

3

vi. agencies and individuals working with and helping these migrants,

many of them lack adequate training

As a consequence, most of the migrants often occupy the worse jobs and

unemployment often results in being above the average. Moreover, although in

employment, AS are in the constant fear of being fired. Finally, few asylum

applications are accepted and this leads to illegal migration and illegal activities.

All of the five partners share common aims and objectives in order to fight the

above-listed problems and help the AS and the society for integration. Through

meetings, study visits, deliverables and reports, the goals can be summarised as:

i. To promote the integration of the AS into the labour market;

ii. To fight discrimination and racism;

iii. To identify good practices on multicultural/intercultural work;

iv. To increase and improve the competences of organisations and

workers participating in the TCA;

v. To open the participation in the TCA activities to a large number of

workers of the DP’s, namely those working directly with AS;

vi. To exchange information, ideas, methods and technical know-how

about the reception and the integration conditions for AS;

vii. To compare instruments availed by the various partners to evaluate

and validate skills and competences of the AS;

viii. To formulate an evaluation and validation competence/skills audit

model (EVC);

ix. To enable trainers and tutors to compare the modus operandi to deliver

training to AS; and

4

x. To find new ways how to approach social partners in order to show

them the skills and competences of the AS in order to facilitate

employment.

5

C h a p t e r 2

WORK COMPLETED AND METHODOLOGY 2.1 EVALUATION FRAMEWORK AND METHODOLOGY

The general evaluation criteria, as set out in the Inception Report, are given

below.

CRITERIA DEFINITIONS

Impact The expected and unexpected impacts on direct and indirect

beneficiaries as perceived by the partnership at the time of

evaluation.

Relevance The extent to which the outcomes achieved are consistent with

the objectives set.

Effectiveness The extent to which the objectives set have been achieved. The

expected effects resulting from used interventions and

instruments. The extent to which different instruments could

have produced different results.

Efficiency A measure of how economically inputs are converted into

results. The extent to which the effects obtained commensurate

to the inputs.

Sustainability The expected duration of results and impacts over time. The

extent to which impacts will sustain without public funding.

6

2.2 FIELD DATA COLLECTION

As for the other study visits conducted under the PASSI TCA, the collection of

data for this particular study visit includes a desk review of a report produced by

the participants of the visit. This document7 focuses deeper on the content of the

study visit. The document was also presented to the sending organisations and

aspects of it have been used for the dissemination of results.

The process of this study visit has been evaluated through a field instrument, a

pro forma questionnaire, distributed to the participants. All the participants were

requested to fill in the sheet during the study visit and forward it to the evaluator

through the Maltese representative. All the sheets were then verified and

stamped by the evaluator.

The questionnaire has a selection of qualitative open-ended questions and a

small number of statements to be rated on a Likert-scale. This tool has been

modified slightly to fit the needs of the hosting participant and the visiting

participants. Both versions are attached. 8

7 Annex 3. 8 Annex 2.

7

C h a p t e r 3

RESULTS 3.1 IMPACT

This criterion looks at the impact that the activity has on the needs of the target

population. The expected and the unexpected impacts are both looked into. The

questions/statements relative to the impact criterion are the following:

H/V - 3 What sections/departments of the HO/SO were involved directly or

indirectly?

H/V - 4 How were the sections affected?

H/V - 7 Were there any unexpected outcomes/impacts?

H/V - 11 What impact did this study visit have on the local project?

The participants of this study visit represent at least 10 distinct organisations

from the different partner countries. The implication is that the results and good

practices identified during this study visit will impact on a wider group than for

the other study visits and trans-national meetings. Even within the hosting

organisation, various departments were involved in this visit including the E.U.

Affairs Office and the Refugee Service within the Appoġġ Agency. Considerable

time and effort was dedicated to ensure the overall positive outcomes.

Participants do not register any unexpected outcomes and impact. However,

various issues are raised in the thematic report that are outside the parameters

set out for the study visit. This implicates that, while there was not the intention

of touching on topics like reception of AS and vocational and language training,

8

these issues were brought up anyway and thus their discussions and eventual

results can be logged as unexpected impacts.

The main objectives of this visit, being that of meeting with trade unions,

Government and public authorities, and make pressure to raise further

awareness on issues pertinent to AS, are highlighted by the participants in the

thematic report. They recognise the importance of public relations, lobbying and

networking to raise the profile of the AS situation in each country. This

recognition impacts on the working methods of the participant organisations and

their local projects.

3.2 RELEVANCE

The second criterion listed is the Relevance criterion. This explores the

appropriateness of the objectives set out for an intervention in relation to the

socio-economic problem they are meant to address. The questions and

statements relative to this criterion are:

H/V - 2.3 The activities organised reached the expectations.

H/V - 2.4 The outcomes/results can be transferred to other persons/organisations.

H/V - 8 What experiences/skills can be transferred to the colleagues or other

DPs?

9

2 To what extent do you agree with these

statements?

Rate from 5 to 1. 5=Excellent, 1=Very Poor

5 4 3 2 1

2.3 The activities organised reached the expectations. 2 2 1 0 0

2.4 The outcomes/results can be transferred to other

persons/organisations.

3 1 1 0 0

As indicated in the table above, participants are positive that the aims set out for

the study visits were fulfilled and that the outcomes of it could be transferred to

others. This ties in with the impact criterion outlined in the previous section.

The crucial role of public relations impinges on the success, not only of the

outcome of this study visit, but on the overall exercise that the PASSI partnership

is carrying out. Deliverables, unless properly publicised, can remain unknown to

the interested bodies and the general public encroaching on the overall efficiency

of the partnership.

This study visit can be rated as highly relevant to the overall PASSI aims. On the

other hand, relevance to the specific aims set for this visit can be rated as

satisfactory. The central theme could have been more highlighted and focused

on more. Meetings with various social partners could have been slightly longer

and less formal to encourage discussion and exchange of ideas.

3.3 EFFECTIVENESS

This criterion looks into the achievement of expected results. The statements and

questions relative to this criterion are:

10

H/V - 2.1 The aims set out for this study visit where reached.

H/V - 5 What were the strong points of this study visit?

H/V - 6 What were the weak points of this study visit?


statements?


5 4 3 2 1

2.1 The aims set out for this study visit were reached. 2 3 0 0 0

The quantitative answer given above indicates that the aims of this study visit

have been reached. In the narrative text, both in the evaluation report and in the

thematic report, the participants seem to indicate that more could have been

achieved on the primary theme of this visit and that more has been achieved in

other thematic areas.

The main strengths of this study visit, as stated by the participants, were the

contacts made among themselves, the meetings with various institutions in

Malta and the discussions and exchanges of AS realities. Overall, the main

strength of this visit was the face-to-face interaction with AS.

Weak points identified are the lack of time for an introductory session prior to

the kicking off of the intensive working programme. Justification for this came

through the hosting organisation’s evaluation sheet. They delineated that

because of a Maltese public holiday coinciding with the Study Visit’s time table,

visits to official institutions had to be grouped into one day as it would have

been impossible to effect them all.

11

3.4 EFFICIENCY

The efficiency criterion looks at whether the outcomes achieved justify the costs

incurred for the whole activity. The Statements relating to this criterion are:

H/V - 2.2 The study visit was very well organised.

H/V - 2.5 The costs incurred for this study visit justify the results reached.

H/V - 2.6 The SO/HO contributed financially to the success of this study visit.


statements?


5 4 3 2 1

2.2 The study was very well organised. 5 0 0 0 0

2.5 The costs incurred for this study visit justify the

results reached.

1 4 0 0 0

2.6 The HO/SO contributed financially for the

success of this study visit.

4 1 0 0 0

The value for money of this particular study visit was good. However, Statement

2.6 indicates that the sending organisation contributed financially for this study

visit to be made possible. The hosting organisation representative did not

mention any contribution by the organisation and this points to overall good

event management.

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3.5 SUSTAINABILITY

The sustainability criterion attempts to decipher the long lasting effects of the

project. The questions relating to this criterion are the following:

H/V - 9 What internal dissemination is planned to create a multiplier effect?

H/V - 10 What external dissemination is planned to create a multiplier effect

among other organisations?

For the purpose of the PASSI study visits and the outcomes and results achieved,

dissemination is the key to sustainability and implementation of knowledge

achieved and best practices observed. What cannot be denied is that this study

visit was a learning experience on external dissemination and networking with

social partners.

Internal dissemination to all the participant organisations and other DPs will be

carried out through the circulation of a report and write-up in internal

magazines. The hosting organisation will disseminate internally, among its

various entities, through the website, a Service Area Leaders meeting, a

presentation to the Management team and a memo to the Board of Directors.

Participants, made more conscious of the influence of external propagation, have

committed to give out information through networking, newsletters, electronic

mail shots, press bulletin, publicity, website updates and local radio. The hosting

organisation is in the process of printing an information hand-pack for AS. The

outcomes of this study visits are to be included.

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C h a p t e r 4

CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

One cannot but commend the work carried out during the study visit held in

Malta. The working programme was well structured and focused on the

achievement of the objectives. While not adhering strictly and solely to the aims

set for this study visit, it was able to provide the participants with a 180° view of

the issues relevant to AS, the PASSI partnership and the objectives set out in the

TCA. This study visit touched upon reception conditions, vocational and

language training, legal and social support and empowerment, apart from

focusing on the involvement of social partners.

Recommendations from the evaluator:

i. While report writing is not the most interesting part of a study visit or a

trans-national meeting, attention is being drawn to the fact that unless

reports and evaluation tools are not given due weighting, it will be

impossible for the evaluator to grasp a clear understanding of the

thoughts and reflections of participants.

ii. This study visit had 13 participants from four different countries, apart

those from the hosting organisation. Four evaluation questionnaires were

filled in to represent the four visiting countries. It would be ideal if all

participants filled in a separate document. It is impossible to capture the

views, judgments and opinions of all participants in the few lines written.

iii. For the sake of simplicity and efficiency, it would have been ideal if the

thematic and the evaluation reports were merged. However it would be

14

wiser to maintain the current situation for the final study visit to be

carried out within the next few months.

iv. While travelling arrangements can vary from participant to participant,

every effort should be made to ensure that everyone arrives in the

destination within a span of 12 hours. This allows for better preparation

of the working programme and few hours are lost. Through such, it can

be ensured that a proper introduction meeting is included in the working

programme.

v. It is worth mentioning that the selection of participants for the study visits

has been ideal and that selected individuals have been able to contribute

and benefit from such study visits.

vi. On the other hand, while it is fair for different beneficiaries to participate

at the various study visits, having the same participants in all the study

visits would help bring more focus on the theme at hand rather than

having to spend time painting the contextual picture every time. This

hurdle can be overcome with a better preparation of the participants prior

to the study visits; or else, an extra half a day should be scheduled in for

slightly longer introductions to help bring everyone into context.

vii. A suggestion has been made previously to structure a dissemination plan

for all the participants. This can be prepared by the hosting organisation

and distributed during the study visit. A dissemination plan should seek

to answer the following: “HOW AND WHEN TO DISSEMINATE WHAT

TO WHO?!”.

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A n n e x 1

ABBREVIATIONS USED AS Asylum Seekers

DP Development Partner

EVC Model to evaluate and validate the competences of Asylum Seekers

PASSI Prepare Asylum Seekers and Society for Integration

TCA Trans-National Cooperation Agreement

TNM Trans-National Meeting

16

A n n e x 2

SAMPLE OF THE MALTESE STUDY VISIT EVALUATION SHEETS

17

TRANS-NATIONAL COOPERATION PARTNERSHIP EVALUATION SHEET

STV-H Malta Page 1 of 3

STUDY VISITS HOSTING ORGANISATION - MALTA (22-09-2006) NAME/S: ORGANISATION/S:

1. Give a brief description and comment on the objectives, programme, activities, host

organisation/s, networking, participating partners, and logistical arrangements.

2. To what extent do you agree with these statements? Rate from 5 to 1. 5=Excellent, 1=Very Poor

5 4 3 2 1 Other Comments/ Explain Why

2.1 The aims set out for this study visit were reached.

2.2 The study was very well organised.

2.3 The activities organised reached the expectations.

2.4 The outcomes/results can be transferred to other persons/organisations.

2.5 The costs incurred for this study visit justify the results reached.

2.6 The Hosting Organisation (HO) contributed financially for the success of this study visit.



3. Which sections/departments of the HO were involved directly or indirectly?

4. How were the sections/departments affected?

5. What were the strong points of this study visit?

6. What were the weak points of this study visit?

7. Were there any unexpected outcomes/impacts?

8. Which experiences/skills can be transferred to colleagues or other DP’s?

9. What internal dissemination is planned to create a multiplier effect?



10. What external dissemination is planned to create a multiplier effect among other

organisations?

11. What impact did this study visit have on the local project?

12. As an organiser of the study visit, how was you organisation affected?

13. Were there any problems regarding the organisation of this study visit?

14. What could be improved in future study visits?

DATE:

SIGNATURE & STAMP OF EVALUATOR: _______________________


STV-S Malta Page 1 of 3

STUDY VISITS SENDING ORGANISATION - MALTA (22-09-2006) NAME/S: ORGANISATION/S:

1. Give a brief description and comment on the objectives, programme, activities, host

organisation/s, networking, participating partners, and logistical arrangements.

2. To what extent do you agree with these statements? Rate from 5 to 1. 5=Excellent, 1=Very Poor

5 4 3 2 1 Other Comments/ Explain Why

2.1 The aims set out for this study visit were reached.

2.2 The study was very well organised.

2.3 The activities organised reached the expectations.

2.4 The outcomes/results can be transferred to other persons/organisations.

2.5 The costs incurred for this study visit justify the results reached.

2.6 The Sending Organisation (SO) contributed financially for the success of this study visit.



3. Which sections/departments of the SO were involved directly or indirectly?

4. How were the sections/departments affected?

5. What were the strong points of this study visit?

6. What were the weak points of this study visit?

7. Were there any unexpected outcomes/impacts?

8. Which experiences/skills can be transferred to colleagues or other DP’s?

9. What internal dissemination is planned to create a multiplier effect?



10. What external dissemination is planned to create a multiplier effect among other

organisations?

11. What impact did this study visit have on the local project?

12. What could be improved in future study visits?

DATE: SIGNATURE & STAMP OF EVALUATOR: _______________________

A n n e x 3

PARTICIPANTS REPORT – STUDY VISIT - MALTA

24

Final Report Study Visit to Malta

21-24 September 2006 1) Description 1.1. Objectives / Programme / Participants List This visit was the third one of the transnational partnership PASSI – Prepare Asylum Seekers and Society for Integration, funded by EQUAL II1. The Development Partnership (DP) «Integration of Asylum Seekers into Maltese Society (Malta) hosted the visit. It was attended by a delegation of 13 people: 2 from Greece, 3 from Germany, 3 from Italy and 5 from Portugal. The visit lasted 2 days detention (programme and participants list attached). The objectives for the visit set out were: To get more familiar with the partners and their working plan.

To transfer knowledge, working methods and good practices among participants of the national DP’s who are working in different fields of the education

process. To discuss and disseminate the results and good practices which came up from the implementation of the Equal actions at transnational and national level

in order to promote equality and opportunities in the labour market.

1 Programme funded by the European Social Fund and National funds, from each EU country.

1.2 General Remarks GERMANY GREECE ITALY PORTUGAL

- The study visit was well prepared and organised.

- The central theme of the visit was reception of asylum seekers and immigrants in general, in Malta. It was not made a clear distinction by the organisers of the specific group of asylum seekers. Mostly the visit focused on the illegal immigrants who arrive by boat. The Maltese reality in this field is totally different from the Portuguese one: the number of immigrants/refugees is much higher in Malta and the most part will not be refugees under the definition of the Geneva Convention. In Malta is a very important issue the arrival of illegal migrants and the integration problems of this group. In Portugal little attention is given to refugee issues

- The participants were given the opportunity to discuss with asylum seekers. - Useful information was given through our meetings with trade unions, government and public authorities

- It was very interesting to hear the point of view of the Asylum Seekers directly from their voice.

- In this context the Portuguese delegation considered as having been relevant to have among them a representative of the Aliens and Border service or of the Ministry of Interior.

- All the presentations were made

realistically with no attempt to present an “ideal” situation. - There was lack of time to know each other and to discuss about the partners programmes.

- We met the highest political Authorities, mostly in formal manner, without a deep examination of the problem concerning AS. Interesting, even if not deep inside the matter, the comparison among theexperiences of the different delegations.

- In the view of the Portuguese delegation the visit to Malta didn’t follow the topic foreseen. It was instead a way of the Maltese partners to show what they have been doing in the field of integration of asylum seekers and to raise attention to the difficult social problem they face with the massive influx of migrants whom they have to receive

1.3 Expectations GERMANY GREECE ITALY PORTUGAL

- to meet delegates from the social partners in Malta

- to exchange of opinions and activities of the trade unions concerning AS in the different countries

- to get to know the situation of AS in Malta and at the frontier of the EU

- To be informed about: The framework (legal, social, economic) related to the access of the asylum seekers to the labour market The educational programmes and vocational training courses provided in each country for the asylum seekers The difficulties that the asylum seekers face in accessing the labour market and the role of the services assisting them in this procedure

- To know in details the projects and the activities towards AS in Malta

- to get to know better the Maltese system of reception, the asylum procedure and the resources available for integration (vocational training, etc.). They also expected to visit a reception centre.

- more information about the transnational cooperation for our work of public relations

- best-practise examples of the projects which can be used in other countries as well exchange of experiences concerning networking and support structures for AS

- To examine the possibilities of exchanging good practices and ideas; - To identify resolution strategies to problems concerning working with asylum seekers

- to exchange information,experiences and good practices concerning vocational training and social integration of AS

- to exchange experiences and to reflect upon the Portuguese good practices which could be transferred to Malta and vice-versa.

- To compare the Greek situation with similar situations in EU member states;

- to present the work that in Portugal is being done in the field of reception and integration of refugees, introducing the resources available in Portugal.

- To talk with asylum seekers in Malta

1.4 Short Comings GERMANY GREECE ITALY PORTUGAL

- (not large) exchange of experiences with the colleagues of the other visiting countries (Italy, Portugal and Greece)

- Not enough time to be informed about each partners vocational training and integration of asylum seekers to the Labour market.

- As we were in Malta, the project highlighted by local representatives took most of the time at disposal, while for the other projects it was impossible to enter in details.

- The organisers didn’t foreseen time on the agenda to allow the other countries to reflect about their own reality and to compare with each other (Greece, Germany and Italy). All the discussions focused exclusively on the Maltese reality. Therefore the Portuguese delegation couldn’t compare experiences what is relatively poor in terms of outcomes of the visit. - It was not possible to make an integrated presentation of the Portuguese project activities’. The suggestion of presenting first the project and only then the good practices was not accepted. The

process of gathering the agenda was not the best one in the sense that the suggestions done by the Portuguese delegation were not taken into consideration (the proposed presentations). The way of organising the afternoon workshop didn’t give time for the participation of the visitors. - It would have been absolutely necessary to get to know in detail the legal and social situation of Malta and also of the other visiting countries. In this particular matter the project workers should correct this problem in the next visit.

- (it hasn’t been possible to achieve a deep) knowledge of the attitude of the social partners in the other visiting countries - (it hasn’t been possible to exchange) best-practise examples - (it hasn’t been possible to know) the opinion of companies and firms in Malta concerning the integration of AS the participation of AS in the discussions

- The number of Participants didn’t allow us to have a broader discussion with the government and public authorities.

The discussions with local authorities were too formal and couldn’t go in depth on the matter of AS.

- The visit was very tiring. The first day was rather confused and non efficient. There were a lot of visits but no results were visible. It was not possible to get deeper in any of the subjects. - Too many visits were planned and not sufficient time was allocated to discuss the findings of each one.

The goals foreseen in the application/TCA for this visit were not accomplished. It was not planned that the visit would focus only the Maltese reality. The objective was to start with the Maltese example and then to reflect together, to exchange experiences and to share knowledge.

The asylum seekers topic was permanently mixed up or discussed

within the context of illegal migration.

The hotel was not good: the location was peripheral and the bathrooms were not in a good condition

1.5 Reflection on the benefits of the visit to: AS

GERMANY GREECE ITALY PORTUGAL

- importance of the work with the population of the host society was stressed

- Good practices: 1) How to handle racism by using international Partnership of PASSI to get positive publicity to asylum seekers problems. 2) Availability of social partners to integrate AS. Meetings with trade unions, Government and public authorities, aiming at making some pressure and raise awareness for asylum issues. 3) Asylum seekers participating in English language courses with which the AS have much greater opportunities in Europe. - The reality that although the AS in the different countries live in different conditions within different legislation similar difficulties have been met by the professionals.

- importance of language training to increase the possibility of social integration; - importance of delivering alternative courses concerning the hosting culture (health, diet education, etc;); - importance of maintaining an high level of public attention/information on AS;

It is difficult to measure the impacts of the visit to the asylum seekers. Nevertheless the attention which was raised for the event can benefit the asylum seekers who live in Malta. The strategy used by the hosts in this domain was extremely positive: they promoted their own work, put the refugee topic on the agenda and the media gave a lot of attention to the event.

- the importance of a minimum wage, but also instruments for controlling to guarantee the minimum wage for everybody

- Discussion/exchange information about the conditions and job

opportunities for asylum seekers in Malta

- to build a “sense of belonging” among AS, so that they take care

- “Bad” practices: 1) Closed accommodation centres under army detention. 2) Official policy consisting by the phrase “ no one wants to stay in Malta”.

Reflection on the benefits of the visit to: PASSI


- one benefit was the support for the Maltese project in its national context (to get a good publicity with this transnational visit)

- each national project can benefit of the transnational support and “amount of visibility”

- The benefits are visible mostly for the Maltese partners. They could show their work, got a lot of attention from the media and could raise awareness among foreign guests and Maltese citizens for the refugee problems.

- knowledge of the situation at the front borders of the EU - a better idea of the ways of flights of AS

- Gather information and exchange experience, knowledge and thoughts - Solidarity in frame of PASSI

- Exchange information, knowledge, experiences and good practices useful at national level

- The Portuguese delegation could contact with a completely different reality, getting to know better the migratory fluxes of that region. However the specific problems of refugees were not tackled as such but rather mixed in the migratory problems in general.

- a good example of lobbying work (Malta) which showed the importance of a public relations work and the good effects

- the importance of a lobbying work and the need of getting media and politicians constantly informed about AS

Reflection on the benefits of the visit to: Third Parties


importance of a European strategy in the asylum policy became clear

Dissemination of information about good practices to the Local Government in Greece

The need of a common and organic European policy on Asylum and not only agreement among neighbouring States

The Portuguese delegation participated in a discussion which is central at the European level: the problem of managing migratory fluxes.

2. Comparison Theme

MALTA

GERMANY

GREECE

ITALY

PORTUGAL

Language training

Content - Language skills - Life skills and orientation - English language course so that participants can obtain working knowledge of the English language and thus participate in other courses - Life skills Course covering various subjects such us communication, health and hygiene, nutrition, culture, decision making and preparation for employment - Course for “curriculum vitae” and preparing for an interview. - Workshops and Information Sessions

- Language skills/ communication skills - Life skills and orientation - Elements of culture, geography, history, society, mathematics, etc. - Lessons on a regular basis (usually daily) - Courses’ duration: depends on the program - Use of computers in the teaching process - Cultural and educative events - Active participation is encouraged - Supportive teaching is provided - Field trips - After passing exams, AS can acquire formal certification for knowledge of the Greek

language from the Centre of

Greek Language (KEG) or the University

Vocational orientation (content and methodology)

Content - Individual approach depending on knowledge, skills and experience of the asylum seekers - Theoretical orientation - Practical orientation Methodology - Theoretical orientation: counselling services, guidance concerning job profiling, visits in companies, self-presentation, etc.

Content - Individual approach depending on knowledge, skills, experience of the asylum seeker - Theoretical orientation - Professional orientation is obligatory within the vocational training programs Methodology - counselling services, guidance concerning job profiling, visits in companies, self-presentation, skills audit, etc.

Vocational training (Content and methodology)

- Vocational training concerns both theoretical and practical courses and lasts usually 6 months - Vocational training is provided to asylum seekers to prepare them for employment, not only in Malta - The training courses offered to AS cover topics for both social and vocational integration - The courses offered are in English, so that the AS will not be limited for integration only in Malta but also in other European Countries, if

Content - Vocational training concerns both theoretical and practical courses and lasts usually 3-6 months Methodology - Vocational training is provided by bodies especially authorised by the State for this purpose that function according to official standards - Vocational training takes place mainly in class including in-company training - Asylum seekers have to register into the Manpower Organisation in order to have

there is no possibility of reintegration in their country of origin - The choice of courses offered is dependant on the skills available - Before the provision of vocational training, a skills audit is applied to record the skills, both those recognized through qualifications and the intrinsic skills - The traineeship is not necessarily guarantee of a job

access to vocational training. - There are various types of vocational training carried out by different bodies - Asylum seekers are subsidized when participating in vocational training programs- Teachers has to be certified by the National Center of Certification in order to teach in vocational training programs

Social support (Content and methodology)

- Asylum seekers have the obligation to register in accommodation centres or the asylum procedure will not be carried out. - Basic needs are covered by social security benefits - Counselling services are provided - NGOs provide social support for vulnerable groups

-There is a different understanding of the role of the state in Malta and Germany. In Germany everybody waits for the state to solve the problems, in Malta it seemed to be different. Consequences for AS: In Germany they get social welfare but they are not allowed to work. In Malta they are allowed to work but they did not get a lot of social welfare In Malta they take the refugees serious which means that the people recognise the right to fly even when it is “only” for economical reasons. In Germany most of the people and also the politicians does

- Asylum seekers have the choice of staying in accommodation centres or in hotels, in apartments, etc - For the asylum seekers hosted in the accommodation centres, basic needs are fully covered - Every asylum seeker has access to counselling services and support - Social support is provided to the asylum seekers by the Greek Council for Refugees and the social services of various NGOs

- the Italian project plays its role besides the firms, while in other nations the unions are the subjects which take care about AS. - In Italy the media and politics don’t pay much attention to AS; just in the case of deaths and massive arrive by boat. Anyway AS are presented negatively, as a menace.

- The situation in Portugal is totally different from Malta (e.g. Malta receives many more asylum seekers than Portugal). - Malta faces a very difficult problem in managing migration due to the massive arrival of illegal migrants. - The Portuguese delegation was concerned with the living conditions in the detention centres of Malta. - The distinction between immigrants and asylum seekers is not a clear one. In Portugal the asylum issue is dealt

not recognise other reasons for flight than the threat of death in the country of origin. There was a difference in the standards of accomodation. In Thuringia the conditions are not good, but in Malta they were even more shocking. Social work for refugees seemed to be a new field in Malta. The exchange of experiences was interesting even when there seemed to be more “tradition” of that in Germany. Politicians in Malta seemed to be more interested in the topic of asylum and refugees than the politicians in Germany. This can be a chance for the Maltese project. The opinion of the trade unions concerning refugees and immigrants and the policy of the government seemed to be very different in Malta and Germany. The German trade unions and the umbrella organisation DGB have a more critical position to the governmental role in the question of integration than the Maltese trade unions we met.

in a separated way.

Similar was xenophobia and racism in the hosting society: In Malta and in Germany East there is only a short tradition of dealing with refugees. There are also similar problems concerning illegal work in Malta and Germany. (GERMANY)

Legal support (Content and methodology)

- Legal support and counselling is provided by NGOs - The asylum seekers have the right to choose their own lawyer

- Legal support and counselling is provided by various NGOs - The asylum seekers have free access to legal support and counselling

- As can’t benefit of free legal support, except for the one provided by volunteer lawyers. If AS have money, they cam choose their own lawyer.

In Portugal the asylum procedure is more elaborated than in Malta: rights and duties of asylum seekers are better organised and more clear.

Other conditions

- As soon as the asylum seeker reaches Malta he/she is taken to stay in close accommodation centre under army detention. - They wait until the final answer to their application for an average period of 1-10 months. - AS have the same obligations and rights on the labour market as every citizen in Malta. - They have access to the regular school system. - The EQUAL project has offered the chance to the asylum seekers to receive language and vocational

- A S stay in accommodation centres voluntarily. - The right to apply for work permit is given as soon as the AS has obtained the “the special document of an alien who has requested the status of refugee” - AS have the same obligations and rights on the labour market as every Greek citizen. - There are programmes organized by Vocational Centres and NGOs exclusively for AS (language or vocational courses). - AS have the right to health care in public hospitals, - Have access to public

- If As arrive in Italy having evaded border controls or if find themselves under condition of irregular stay, the will be detained in one of the identification centres (close) for a period which couldn’t exceed 20 days (but that’s always much more longer). The “regular” AS has freedom to move in the whole national territory, once settled (and communicated to the Police) their residence. Except for Equal Projects, there are specific

- The reception and integration of asylum seekers (reception centre, support for vocational training and employment, social security and health) is more organised and advanced in Portugal, mostly because the number of asylum seekers is much lower. The asylum procedure seems to be too long lasting. - The access to the services in Malta doesn’t seem to be very transparent.

training courses. - As an average 3-7% of the asylum seekers get finally a positive answer to their application.

education system - The examination of the asylum application takes normally more than 3 years - The percentage of the refuge recognition is extremely low. - Freedom of movement from region to region in Greece, on the condition that the change of address is stated to the police. - A lot of bureaucracy concerning their documents and the everyday access to public services. - Lack of cooperation among the public services and very limited information about the asylum seekers status.

programmes for AS organized by the Central Service for Protection of AS and Refugees, but only a little percentage of AS living in Italy can benefit of them. - AS have the right to health care in public hospitals, - Have access to public education system - The examination of the asylum application takes normally long times (even if the law talk about 3 months). - After 6 months from the request for asylum AS can work - Really low level of public sensitization on AS matter.

Empowerment of AS

- The empowerment principle is fulfilled at two levels: At the first level, the participants are empowered in various ways. The most frequent is the evaluation and feedback on each course and which should also be taken into consideration in the design and implementation of the subsequent courses. The participants can also be self-empowered by identifying

In Malta AS are allowed to work but they did not get a lot of social welfare This is a form of empowerment because the refugees are still responsible for their own. Another form of empowerment: AS run kitchens in the accomodation centers on their own, in Germany these things are organised by the welfare office. (This is not only positive: Refugees are obliged to take care for their

The vocational training programmes include activities for the empowerment of AS such as orientation lessons, life skills development, etc. AS have the right to form their own associations and representative bodies.

The Italian project use work experiences (apprenticeships) as vehicle of empowerment and integration.

their strengths but also their training needs. The participants are encouraged to work towards forming a career and their inclusion in society. At the second level, that of Development Partners, each partner will be jointly responsible in the implementation and running of the Project. Responsibilities, such as monitoring and evaluation, or transnational collaboration, could also be totally delegated to one or more Development Partners, thus ensuring their empowerment.

own even when they have a lot of difficulties.)

3. Intercultural practices identified GERMANY

GREECE ITALY PORTUGAL

Intercultural practices seemed not to be very common in Malta. Intercultural training seemed not to be very elaborated. The impression was that there is a stronger debate on that field in Germany

None None

Activities are all targeted towards asylum seekers and tailored for this target group. It is the first time that the local partners are collaborating on this type of project and for this target group

4. Recommendations - General GERMANY


None - To realize the necessity of intercultural practices aiming at sensitization of EuropeanCommunities about migrants and asylum seekers issues.

- to contribute to build an open and friendly attitude towards “the other” .

- To cultivate positive attitude towards people with different origin

- To show the added value which immigrants can bring to the host society: cultural diversity, increase of competences, etc.

- To design programs exclusively for asylum seekers - To involve local authorities in the implementation of activities in favour of AS . - To form a flexible educational system to meet the special needs of asylum seekers.

- To discover ways of identifying qualifications and to make use of existing knowledge and competence.

- To give asylum seekers access to employment (should not be necessary to apply for a working permit); - To diminish the discrimination in access to employment and inequalities such has salaries, contracts, timetables, etc.;

Recommendations – PASSI GERMANY


for further study visits: - presentation round at the beginning, so that everybody knows the other participants - small but effective information paper about the situation for AS in every country participating during the study visit (helps to compare things in the discussions) - to concentrate really of the defined content of the study visit

for further study visits: Evaluation of the report as a tool for exchanging information, goodpractices and introduction of new approaches, should be considered

- The comparison among the experiences of different countries should be implemented in future visits, in order to reach a common target about the entire project.

for further study visits:

- The agenda should be a little bit flexible in order to assure the right amount of time to go deeply into every subject/theme

for further study visits:

For the transnational project



For the transnational project - To accompany and defend the rights of asylum seekers during the asylum procedure; - To make sure that asylum seekers receive legal and social information; - To monitor the situation of asylum seekers who are sent to the detention centres (the Portuguese delegation is deeply concerned with the respect for Human Rights, with the length of the asylum procedure and with the form of detention used); - To implement actions to make possible the access of asylum seekers to health care and employment (in accordance to the foreseen in the European Directives on the Minimum Reception Conditions for Asylum Seekers); - To raise awareness for the humanitarian problem of the living conditions in the centres;

- To improve the access to information (Portugal has some good practices in this domain); - To have workers (e.g. mediators) to provide information; - To organise awareness activities in the host society for refugee issues (Portugal has some interesting experiences in this regard).

evaluation of the trans-national -...

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