Background:

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, as Delegated Authority of Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), is planning to organise an open call for “Activities that provide innovative approaches to promote the integration process”.

Taking into account the existing experience of libraries implementing projects for an inclusive society, the Ministry of Culture would like to gather experience from other EMN Member countries to identify the range of activities libraries implement in the field of integration and social inclusion for third-country nationals through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.

The information provided will assist in elaborating the conditions for the call to get the best results and make sure that the submitted projects will create new forms of cooperation and promote an inclusive society.

Respondents:

A total of 21 countries responded to this ad hoc query (including BE).

Results:

A preliminary analysis of the results of the ad hoc query shows that:

• 15 out of 21 EMN Member Countries viewed public libraries as a tool to promote the integration of third-country nationals and building an inclusive society.
   
• Only 3 EMN Member Countries organised calls for proposals funded by AMIF, with libraries acting as project promoters or project partners (IT, LT, PL).
   
• The activities provided and implemented by libraries to promote integration and build an inclusive society through AMIF in these 3 countries include free access to all library services (IT), language courses (IT, LT), socio-cultural activities such as sightseeing tours and guidance towards local services (IT), creative workshops (PL), sociocultural competencies (LT, PL), ‘bibliotherapy’ (LT) and activities to examine needs, setting goals and actions together with third-country nationals (PL).

For further information, please read the compilation of answers attached above.