Concept paper: European refugee integration as joint municipal development

A screenshot of the cover page of the concept paper "Concept Paper European Refugee Integration as a Common Municipal Development". In order to pursue a humane and at the same time managed and controlled European refugee policy that is in line with EU values, legal access to Europe is needed. With the voluntary participation of European host countries, ways must be found for the decentralised settlement of people seeking protection in Europe that would not overburden any of the states. In order to tackle this challenge, a European migration and refugee policy is needed that opens up new room for manoeuvre for local authorities, which are already responsible for the main task of integration, through additional funding. Municipalities that voluntarily accept and integrate refugees should not only be reimbursed for the costs incurred in accepting refugees, but should also receive funds that they can use to improve municipal infrastructure (schools, administration, business development). Such an asylum and refugee policy could also provide the EU with a human and economic vitality boost that is in its interest. This concept paper by Prof Dr Gesine Schwan discusses what this could look like.
DATE March 2017
AUTHORProf. Dr. Gesine Schwan

In order to achieve a humane and at the same time managed and controlled European refugee policy EU values, legal access to Europe is needed. voluntary participation of European host countries ways must be found for a decentralised settlement of people seeking protection in Europe that would not overburden any of the states.

In order to tackle this challenge, a European migration and refugee policy is needed that opens up new room for manoeuvre for local authorities, which are already responsible for the main task of integration, through additional funding. Municipalitieswhich Voluntary refugees The aim is not only to reimburse the costs incurred in accepting and integrating refugees, but also to provide them with funds that they can use to improve the municipal infrastructure (schools, administration, business development). Such an asylum and refugee policy could also provide the EU with a human and economic vitality boost that is in its interest.

This Concept paper Prof Dr Gesine Schwan discusses what this could look like.