Purpose: The Portuguese Network of Intercultural Cities (RPCI) has developed an app called Portugal Incoming. The app launched in 2019 is a major practical contribution to the integration of migrants in Portugal, bringing all relevant information on how to navigate the Portuguese services and bureaucracy, as well as access to information about cultural and social events into one place.
Stimulus/Rationale: The information needed for integration is dispersed and not always accessible for everyone. With this app, RPCI intended to concentrate useful information for newcomers and visitors in the same place, as a means to facilitate integration.
Process: The app was developed by the network in collaboration with the member cities of the national network. Several meetings were held and the cities analysed existing welcoming guides from member cities and decided upon the main contents and features for the guide and for the app. The app was also tested among member cities. The app is constantly updated and is available in a number of languages. The information has also been gathered collaboratively and shared in a PDF guide. In addition, a guide for practitioners on how to conduct welcoming sessions has been developed, together with a matrix for the creation of municipal integration plans and strategies.
Impact: 13 cities were engaged in creating the APP. The app contains information on: job market (legal rights, how and where to search for jobs); Health (legal rights, how and where to access health services); Education (legal rights, how and where to access education services for children and adults); Justice (legal rights, how and where to access legal services, how to regularise the legal status); a list of useful contacts and connection to google maps for directions and interesting cultural spots. A calendar offers insights on annual celebration days for several cultural and religious traditions. The app also allows RPCI to send SMS to all users with tips and information. 150 copies of the guide in Portuguese and 77 in English have been downloaded from the RPCI website since 2019.
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