On 5 May 2022, Dr. Mattia Collini presented part of the SIRIUS research done by the Italian team in one of the “Thursday Sociolocical Seminars” organised by the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Science in Prague.
The seminar, titled “SIRIUS Seminar: CSOs integrating migrants in the labour market, lessons from the Italian case” illustrated the role of CSOs in Italy with regards to the integration of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees (MRAs) in the labour market.
The role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Italy and, more broadly, the ‘third sector’ is a pillar of the Italian welfare state model. In line with its key role in the welfare, the third sector has been widely acknowledged as crucial for aiding the integration of migrants. Looking at the main results from the SIRIUS research we presented the role played by CSOs in practice, through the perspective of both CSOs and migrants themselves, collected by means of semi structured interviews.
Our findings point out that the fragmentation of the policy framework in terms of employment and integration, and unfavourable legislation (above all, migration law) shape the kind of prevalent activities of CSOs and negatively impact the potential for integration of migrants in the labour market. In general, much is left to the single CSO to fill in the needs of newcomers beyond the minimal provisions established by law for refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, with just asylum seekers and refugees having access to better opportunities and support.
However, the seminar also showcased some of the best practices and success stories for the integration of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers that emerged from the fieldwork, which are to be found in a network approach linked to the dynamism and involvement of civil society at a territorial level, and the capacity to create a synergy among all the stakeholders.