Migrants in nearly all EU countries are particularly vulnerable to the risk of poverty and social exclusion. In most countries, therefore, according to the evidence available, they have on average lower rates of employment and higher rates of unemployment than non-migrants as well as higher rates of school drop-out and homelessness which together tend to give rise to significantly lower levels of income and more widespread deprivation. At the same time, given the slow growth of population throughout the EU and a prospective decline in population of working age in the coming years, migrants are seen as an increasingly important source of labour.

Host Country : Spain

Place and date : Spain, 20. - 21.10.2008

Peer countries : Czech Republic - Denmark - Germany - Greece - Italy - Latvia -  Netherlands

Stakeholders : Caritas Europe

Accordingly, EU Member States are making greater efforts to widen the access of migrants to employment and education and to increase their participation in society more generally.

The Peer Review organised in Spain will present details of the Support Fund for the Reception and Integration of Immigrants and their Educational Support, established in 2005, which is part of a broader strategy for integrating migrants into society. It is managed by three levels of Spanish authorities - local, regional and national - cooperating together, which has facilitated the creation of networks and the sharing of experience while ensuring the coordination and transversal implementation of policies.

Peer Review manager

Ms Renate Haupfleisch (ÖSB Consulting GmbH)