Dr Paulina Trevena from The University of Glasgow recently conducted a study exploring the benefits of introducing a social integration strategy for all migrants in Scotland. Multi-Cultural Family Base was part of a panel invited to contribute to the research. The full report can be read here.

We asked Dr Trevena what role organizations like MCFB can play in a social integration policy for Scotland.

 “Third sector organisations are seen as best placed to support ‘real’ integration at local level. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share and, most importantly, are flexible and adaptable, and as such able to respond to particular needs arising at local level in a way local authorities cannot. Therefore, the third sector could play a crucial role in welcoming newcomers, providing information and advice, and supporting their wider integration."

Funding constraints.

However, third sector organisations are currently struggling with two major issues related to funding: firstly, as it is typically short-term, it is near impossible to make longer term plans and maintain or further develop successful projects; secondly, funding is often targeted at particular ethnic or national groups which in effect may lead to their over-reliance on an organisation and impede rather than support their broader integration.  A stable stream of longer-term funding is thus necessary if third sector organisations were to be pivotal to supporting an integration strategy.

A need for a country-wide integration strategy

Another issue at present is that third sector provision is patchy. While there are many organisations a newcomer can turn to in larger cities, there are few or none in certain areas of Scotland, even if they are home to large migrant populations. If third sector organisations were to support a country-wide integration strategy they would need to spread out to such areas and reach out to more rural-remote populations.”

What can third sector organisations do now?

“Successful projects often disappear when funding ends. Wider sharing of expertise and best practice is thus much needed to make sure it can be learnt from and replicated. This could be done for example through launching a sector-wide electronic resource, strengthening collaborations in the sector or establishing local discussion forums bringing public and third sector organisations together. Moreover, providing more volunteering opportunities, however small, would be welcomed by newcomers and could potentially strengthen third sector organisations’ outreach activities. Sometimes opportunities for broader integration are missed when events are targeted at a particular national or ethnic group rather than in collaboration with other groups and bringing in a wider audience.

To sum up, if Scotland were to introduce a social integration strategy, third sector organisations are best placed to deliver it at grassroots level – yet with leadership and financial support of the Government and in collaboration with public bodies.”

Dr Paulina Trevena, October 2018.