AIMER Project Achieving the Integration of Migrant communities and Ethnic Residents (AIMER) Sharing Experiences of the Journey to Date
Presentation by Mark Mitchell Chairman COVER COVER stands for Community Voluntary Sector Forum Eastern Region
COVER has 3 main areas of work: Enabling: We support the voluntary sector by facilitating partnerships and organisational development Influencing: We work to influence major decisions affecting the future of the voluntary sector in the region Communicating: We keep voluntary sector groups in the region up-to-date on issues and developments affecting them via our website, publications and events
About the AIMER Project FULL DETAILS IN PROJECT SUMMARY HANDOUT AT THE MEETING: The aim is for project AIMER to demonstrate a model approach to assist local areas across the cross-border zone to integrate ethnic minorities.
About the AIMER Project Compare existing approaches and identifying good practice in the delivery of local support services to ethnic minority communities. Design and pilot together in cross-border partnership a series of new initiatives to achieve tangible progress in the greater integration of ethnic minority communities and stronger community cohesion between new migrants and their host communities.
Project Partners Medway Council (UK) Lead Partner C.E.F.I.R, (France) COVER (UK) Essex County Council (UK) Sociale Dienst voor Vreemdelingen SDV (Belgium) Young Lives (UK)
Project duration / finances DURATION: July 2009 to June 2012 FINANCES: The total budget eligible is 2,476,394.00 financed at 50% by the ERDF. 3 activities are planned: Activity 1: Welcome & Integration of Migrant Communities (627,167.4 = 25.3% of total budget) Activity 2: Legal & Cultural Mediation (694,991.4 = 28.1% of total budget) Activity 3: Capacity building (504,287.4 = 20.4% of total budget)
How the Partnership Formed First contact between COVER and Medway Council took place at the programme launch in Dunkerque (Apr 08) First time East of England Region included in this funding stream, so logical to align with partner from Kent who has Interreg experience
How the Partnership Formed May Sept: Common interest in issues relating to migration and community cohesion between Medway Council and COVER explored over 3 further meetings Oct Dec: Identified other partners in the UK, France and Belgium (Methods used previous contacts and the programme website)
How the Partnership Formed Dec Feb: 2 meetings between all partner in UK and France this provided the opportunity to learn about the wider work of each partner, understand project relevant expertise and roles and to jointly develop the project proposal Meetings were backed by telephone / e-mail contact
Lessons from forming the partnership A partner from Kent with previous knowledge helped mutual benefits Use the programme website / Regional Office Partner Search facilities Take the time to know each other do you share the same values, interests, ethos? Jointly plan and prepare to increase sense of ownership
Where we are now
Where we are now 1 st Monitoring Committee held Oct 09 included Drafting timetable and work programme Outlined project reporting and budget requirements Project Launch 8 th December 2009 in Oostende, Belgium
To date, positive and negatives: POSITIVES: Opportunity to raise horizons Pilot and trial new working ways Personal development of staff Build expertise of organisation Increase service offer for clients
To date, positive and NEGATIVES negatives: Language Requirements Cash flow management Geographic distance Complexity of rules
Added Value of Cross Border Co-operation The geography is different, but the issues we address are the same, No one other area has all the answers, we can learn from each other Look at Cross Border as not just with France and Belgium, but also between regions on the UK (which we are not very good at in other programmes)
Three Key Messages 1. Take time to build the partnership, find the areas of common interest 2. Try to include partners with previous experience and / or seek advice from support agencies 3. Be aware of the requirements for the application form to be lodged in two or more languages particularly if you are changing detail close to the deadline
Contact Details for Further Information For presentation: Mark Mitchell, Chairman COVER e-mail mark@communityactiondacorum.org.uk For AIMER project: Laurie Barriol at Medway Council, UK laurie.barriol@medway.gov.uk