The Pact on Migration and Asylum, as well as the Action Plan of Integration and Inclusion (2021-2027), emphasises integration as an important part of a holistic approach to a well-managed and effective migration policy. While there is extensive information on measures supporting the integration of beneficiaries of international protection, early integration measures are seldom systematically recorded or monitored. The Inform seeks to close the information gap by gathering information on early integration measures in the responding countries. 

For the purpose of this Inform, early integration refers to activities that enhance prospects and self-sufficiency for applicants for international protection during the asylum and reception process, before a final decision is made. 

Key findings include : 

• The great majority of responding countries (including BE) reported implementing early integration measures during the application process for international protection. These measures are primarily coordinated and overseen at the national level, while local authorities and non-state actors play a key operational role in delivery. Regarding funding sources, national funding is the most common source of financing, with AMIF often used as a complementary source, either to co-finance specific early integration measures or to support targeted projects alongside national resources.
   
• The main early integration measures include language learning, civic or cultural orientation, vocational or labour market integration, and education for children. In BE, civic integration programmes are organised, including for beneficiaries of international protection. Applicants may access these courses on a voluntary basis, depending on the availability of places, in the Walloon Region and the German-speaking Community, but not in the Flemish Community and the Brussels-Capital Region. 
   
• Participation in early integration measures is mainly voluntary. However, for applicants residing in reception structures, participation in certain early integration measures may be mandatory in some countries. In ES, participation in language courses forms part of the reception itinerary and is compulsory during the reception phase. Similarly, in AT, participation in the Basic Rules Courses (civic integration courses) is mandatory for applicants accommodated in federal care centres, while in FI, applicants residing in reception facilities are required to take part in work and study courses. 
   
• 16 responding countries report tailoring early integration measures to specific profiles and needs. For instance, in DE, empowerment courses are offered to female applicants. These courses, led by women teachers, aim to ease the transition to a new cultural environment. Seven responding countries also report providing bridging or preparatory classes for children to facilitate their integration into the education system. 
   
• Digital tools are used by some countries to deliver language courses online or to inform applicants on early integration measures. In BE, the First Aid Communication Tool (FACT) provides applicants and beneficiaries of international protection with a basic vocabulary package and sector-specific vocabulary relevant for different occupations. 
   
• Regarding the assessment of the impact of early measures, five responding countries reported implementing activities to monitor progress and evaluate broader integration outcomes of applicants for international protection. For example, LV carries out impact assessment both at the individual and systemic levels, while DE has established a framework to empirically investigate the long-term effects of early integration measures. 

The full inform is attached above. For more detailed country-specific information, please refer to the ad hoc query used to collect the data for this Inform.