Welcoming programme trainings for beneficiaries of international protection

Contact details

Submitted by: 

• Kerli Zirk, Ministry of the Interior
• International Organization for Migration Estonia

Websites: iom.ee/eng  /  settleinestonia.ee

Social: Facebook: facebook.com/IOMEstonia

Introduction to the project 

Country

Estonia

Duration

January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2019

A new call will be launched in 2020 by the Ministry of the Interior.

Description

The goal of the project is to provide most needed information for beneficiaries of international protection and contribute to their successful integration.

Project aims 

The main objective of the project is to provide trainings for beneficiaries of international protection and contribute to their successful integration in Estonia by providing a better knowledge of the functioning of the state and society, daily life, cultural and working environment, and many other topics.

These trainings (titled “international protection module”) are a part of a wider programme, titled the Welcoming programme, which is comprised by eight thematic modules aimed for foreigners. The international protection module is only for beneficiaries of international protection and provides the most crucial information for them to adapt in Estonia as quickly and smoothly as possible. The training lasts for 3 days and is in accordance with the needs and interest of the participants.

The training is practical and based on communication between the participants. Various activities, group work, and experience-based discussions form an important part. The training gives the participants the opportunity to ask questions and discuss possible solutions with the trainer. The focus of the training is on supporting adaptation, providing important information to participants, and developing a support network to support adaptation. The training is provided by trainers, many of whom have experience of adaptation in Estonia and who understand the situation of the participants.

Resources used 

By law (Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens) taking part of the training is compulsory.

Partners

• Ministry of the Interior (initiator of the Welcoming programme)
• Ministry of Social Affairs

Challenges and how they were overcome

Challenges

• The overall challenge encountered during the project is rather low number of beneficiaries of international protection in Estonia.
• Also rather low level of motivaton taking part of the training by target group has been challenge.

How they were overcome

The fact that there are rather few refugees in Estonia, gives a chance to apply a tailored-made and personal approach: the groups are small and IOM offers the training in English, Russian, and Arabic. On a demand basis, one-day trainings in other languages are provided, subject to the presence of a sufficient target group. This gives a chance to dedicate more time and attention and help them to adapt in a country such as Estonia, which has very different culture, tradition, climate and etc.

Results of the Good Practice 

The beneficiaries have raised knowledge of the functioning of the state and society, daily life, cultural and working environment and etc, which gives them a head start to get used to a new society/country.

How the project meets the GCR Objectives

Objective 2: Enhance refugee self-reliance

Particular good practice meets concrete objective by providing necessary information about labour opportunities, education system etc. Also, the training gives an overview of concrete road maps how to reach the goals for entering the labour market or the education system.

Next steps 

In 2020 the Ministry of Interior will launch a new call to find a partner who will provide these trainings.