We’ve just finished a 5-day study trip to Denmark and Sweden, whose purpose was to acquire the knowledge about local integration policies and cooperation with NGOs in order to reinforce the local level reception / integration capacities and development of more welcoming local level integration action planning in the Baltic municipalities.

A total of  20 representatives of national and local authorities from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia met representatives of more than 15 different organisations and institutions based in Copenhagen, municipalities of Roskilde and Gentofte (Denmark), as well as in Skåne region (Esliov, Malmö, and Lund).

The Lithuanian delegation included representatives from administrations of city municipalities of Vilnius, Klaipeda, and Siauliai, also Akmenė District. The delegation was also joined by a representative of the Lithuanian Ministry of Social Security and Labour and the local coordinating partner Diversity Development Group.

During the visits we got acquainted with the local level integration ecosystem, including linkages to national level policies and municipal programmes, learnt about the cooperation with civil society and NGOs, had meetings at places, where integration services are provided, upskilling and language schools, temporary residences for refugees, as well private companies.

We are grateful for all partners and organizations who have hosted us during this week and put a contribution to make this study visit fulfilled with new knowledge, lessons learnt, and valuable new partnerships.

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Nordic-Baltic Initiative FOR-IN (Fostering Refugee and Immigrant Integration | For Integration) is implemented in cooperation with the Nordic Councils of Ministers Offices in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, UNHCR, Providus, Tartu Welcome Center and Diversity Development Group.