EU Passworld is an exciting new project funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). The project creates additional education and employment pathways for refugees to be resettled through community sponsorship programmes in Ireland, Belgium and Italy.
In Ireland, the project started in 2022 and is coordinated by UNHCR Ireland and Nasc. Refugees are typically displaced due to conflict, wars or persecution and they often end up in neighbouring countries, sometimes in perilous conditions. This places a disproportionate burden on countries in the Global South.
Among these populations, UNHCR identifies the most vulnerable or at-risk where they currently are and advocates for countries to admit them, so they have a home which can better accommodate their needs. This process is called resettlement. However, the number of refugees who are eligible for resettlement is very low and the number of places available is far below what is needed. The EU-Passworld project aims to create additional safe routes for refugees through new avenues, specifically educational and employment opportunities.
What are Complementary Pathways?
Complementary pathways are safe and regulated avenues for refugees to reach third countries, like Ireland. These pathways are in addition to resettlement done by government, providing a legal stay in a third country where their international protection needs are met. A third country is a country other than their country of origin and the first country in which they have sought protection. In this case, Ireland is the third country. These pathways are additional to resettlement and do not replace the protection refugees are eligible for under the international protection system. Typically, complementary pathways can include labour pathways, education pathways and family reunification.
What are Complementary Education pathways?
With complementary education pathways refugees are admitted to a third country through higher education opportunities. Refugees’ access to these opportunities is based on their education and language skills in contrast to their protection needs. Education opportunities offered through these pathways should allow for a long-term solution i.e., long-term residence in the new country instead of short-term study and scholarship programmes.
These opportunities contribute to refugees’ economic and social empowerment while increasing their agency and self-reliance. At the same time, they benefit host communities and institutions with a more prosperous academic environment, enhanced social cohesion, and improved academic infrastructure and resources.
What are Complementary Labour pathways?
Complementary labour pathways create other ways for refugees to find durable solutions in third countries, outside of traditional resettlement programs.
Labour complementary pathways:
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help displaced people move safely to third countries through regular labour or economic migration programs
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recognise refugees’ skills, abilities and talents, as well as their need for protection
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show how refugees contribute to their new countries, communities and workplaces
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give employers access to a new talent pool to fill job openings.
What is Community Sponsorship?
Community Sponsorship is a programme that gives people across Ireland the chance to welcome resettled refugees to their local communities. Refugees can often wait for years on UNHCR resettlement lists. Community Sponsorship gives the opportunity to people in Ireland to provide a welcome and a home to people desperately waiting for sanctuary.
Traditionally, groups are asked to fundraise and find accommodation and are then matched with a refugee family in need of resettlement by the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. Regional support organisations like Nasc provide support and training to groups throughout the process.
For more information on the Education Pathways and Community Sponsorship, click here.
Contact us!
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If you are a university or an employer and want to get involved
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If you would like to support a refugee by being part of a Community Sponsorship group
Email tessa@nascireland.org for more information.
