Purpose: Foster the intercultural integration of migrants through the provision of support and information on several areas. The Local Centre for Migrant Integration (CLAIM) mission intends to go beyond the simple provision of information, supporting the whole procedure of welcoming and integrating migrants, articulating with the various local structures, whilst promoting interculturality at the local level
Stimulus/Rationale: The CLAIM are a nation wide network of around 144 offices sponsored by the High Commission for Migration (ACM), the government agency for migrations. They work in similar ways, envisioning a more localised support system for migrants to be in place.
Process: The CLAIM staff receives training from the ACM and can work collaboratively for the exchange of practices and mutual support. All of these offices provide support and information on several areas, such as, regularisation, nationality, family reunification, housing, voluntary return, labour, health, education, among other daily life issues. The CLAIM also develops relevant local partnerships and projects to enhance a better integration and the valorization of diverse cultural backgrounds present in the city.
It all starts with an interview with the migrant person, where the situation is discussed and an individual plan is settled. The CLAIM articulates with other entities and can help the person find and book appointments with relevant public services such as Social Security, Employment services, local Parishes, Registration services, Border Services, food bank, and so on. Support can also be given to learn Portuguese and to fill in necessary forms. Refugees can also use this service, and this has been a reality since war in Ukraine broke out.
The municipality continuously promotes social, educational and professional integration, supporting, monitoring and providing incentives to migrants in various activities that promote life within the local community. Examples of such activities include Portuguese language learning, successful employment search, tailor-made support in public administration services such as finance, immigration, the border service, health centre, hospital, labour and professional training institute, as well as participation in cultural and leisure activities.
Impact: In 2023, the Portimão CLAIM delivered around 4163 interviews. The migrants using the service are mostly men (54%) and between 26 to 45 years old (48%). Most come from Brazil, Guinea, Cabo verde, Angola, India and Argel. Since the start, it has reached more than 16 thousand people coming from 38 different countries.
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