Integration of Young Migrants in the Campania Region – Italy

WHO: CIDIS

WHERE: Italy 

Cidis Onlus is a non-profit organization that has been operating since 1987 both at the Italianand European level to encourage and promote welcoming practices and integration.

 

THE BEST PRACTICE: Integration of Young Migrants in the Campania Region

During the sixth e-Roundtable, CIDIS had the opportunity to share their work approach related to the integration of unaccompanied migrant children and new adults. By using cultural meditation as a tool to promote the integration of unaccompanied migrant children, CIDIS has been able to create shared spaces for dialogue and exchange, that are mindful of the existing cultural differences and that can ensure the harmonious development of children in the host society.  CIDIS presented three programs that have been implemented since 2015 and are specifically addressed at unaccompanied migrant children and new adults. Since 2015, CIDIS has worked with about 6000 unaccompanied migrant children. Their strength lies in the respect and understanding of cultural differences and in tailoring the interventions based on the specific characteristics, history and background of each child.

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Welcoming Families: The program aims to give unaccompanied migrant children who are about to turn 18 and will therefore be considered new adults, the chance to live in a familiar context rather than in centres for adults. By actively involving the community through public campaigns and calls for participation, CIDIS is able to assign children who are about to turn 18 to host families for six months with the aim of helping them transition into adulthood and a more independent status. A key element of the program is the presence of a multidisciplinary team to support both the families and the children in this process.

   

CIDIS Home: The program consists of a co-housing arrangement for young migrants who arrived in Italy as unaccompanied children and are now transitioning into adulthood. CIDIS Home is located in the centre of Naplaes and functions both as a living arrangement for young migrants, who have the chance to cultivate their personal independence and socialization skills, and a hostel for tourists that the residents help run and manage. This dual functionality helps young migrants become more independent on a personal level while also giving them the chance to develop skills related to the tourism sector and to access professional training.

   

Popeye Youth Centre: The centre aims to promote social and personal opportunities for young migrants living in the local area by offering them educational, artistic and professional activities and by giving them a space for socializing and meeting with peers. The youth aggregation center is composed of a network of associations and territorial organizations and services and promotes laboratories, workshops, courses, creative activities and recreational events, in order to promote legality and active citizenship that will involve both Italians and foreigners between 15 and 21 years old.