The Portuguese High Commission for Migration (ACM, I.P.) is now accepting funding applications for research projects on women from third countries and their descendants. This funding opportunity is available through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.

The funding is aimed at research on the migration process and on the dynamics of reception and integration of immigrant and asylum-seeking women, especially those from African countries, Brazil and Ukraine. The studies should provide public policy recommendations on the integration of women from third countries and descendants who are residing in Portugal.

Research proposals should also take into account the framework of the National Strategy for Equality and Non-Discrimination 2018-2030 "Portugal + Equal" of the strategic intervention of the Project Team on Intersectional Inequalities of ACM, I.P.

Eligible projects for funding

The studies should provide input for the following:

• National Strategy for Equality and Non-Discrimination 2018-2030 "Portugal + Equal" (Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 61/2018 of 21 May 2018)
• Strategic Plan for Migration 2015-2020 (Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 12-B / 2015 of 20 March 2015)
• Three of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • SDG 5 - Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls
  • SDG 8.8 - Protecting labour rights and promoting safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers and in particular migrant women and people in precarious employment
  • SDG 10.7 - Facilitating orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
• The Council of Europe Strategy for Gender Equality 2018-2023
• The Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention)

The total amount available under this call is € 310,000. For each approved project, the maximum co-financing rate is 75% of the total eligible cost, and applications must request a total eligible investment between €20,000 and €60,000. Projects cannot have an execution period of more than 24 months.

Applications must be submitted electronically by 29 July 2019 at 17:00. Those interested in this funding opportunity should consult further instructions available on the website of ACM, I.P.

Research has revealed serious concerns regarding the inclusion of foreign children in Malta. The Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health of the University of Malta, in collaboration with the Maltese Commissioner for Children, found that one-third of foreign children experience physical or verbal bullying during their school years. Based on interviews, the researchers report that almost 45% of them experience name-calling, some of them on a daily basis. Although motivations behind the bullying are not always specified, some children mentioned their race, religion, or inability to speak Maltese or English as causes.

Some groups are particularly vulnerable. Students of lower socioeconomic standing are less likely to be included in social or educational activities. In addition, children from Africa or the Middle East face a greater degree of exclusion than students from other countries. They also generally have fewer friends and are less likely to participate in school activities.

The research focused on children aged up to 16 who were either born outside Malta or born in Malta to non-Maltese parents. There were four studies conducted:

1. The first study, carried out with school-age foreign children (Kindergarten to Form 5), examined their education, inclusion, physical health, mental health and resilience, access to services and wellbeing. This study gathered information on more than 1,000 foreign children aged 3-16 (18% of all school-age foreign children in Malta) through questionnaires completed by children, parents and/or teachers.
2. The second study focused on young foreign children (0-3 years), with information on more than 100 children attending childcare centres collected through questionnaires completed by their parents and their centre carers respectively.
3. The third study qualitatively examined children’s subjective wellbeing in various aspects of their lives through five focus groups with primary and secondary school foreign children of various nationalities.
4. The fourth study looked at the attitudes of Maltese students towards foreign children living in Malta. 1,360 primary, middle and secondary school students completed a questionnaire on issues like social interaction, acculturation expectations, intercultural ideology, levels of tolerance and prejudice, perceived consequences of migration and attitudes towards ethnocultural groups.

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