Success stories map
The success stories map showcases real stories of migrants’ successful integration in the EU and/or many initiatives to help them to do so! Some of these stories are issued from the research activities, other from the Journalist training and others from the local events organised in the MAX partner countries.
Research activities made by our partners in the area
Training for journalist
People interviewed during local events in the area
IN BETWEEN by Marit van der Heijden
In In Between refugees share their stories, standing in between the fears of people on either side of political polarisation within society. For this documentary, I interviewed several newcomers (mainly from Syria) about their experience, as well as Dutch citizens who identify with “left” and “right…
Testimonial – Kristina Avdonina
After the success of the Italian DDF, organised by Consorzio Communitas, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Marco Chiapella
After the success of the Italian DDF, organised by Legacoopsociali, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Eric Martial Wokgoue
After the success of the Italian DDF, organised by Legacoopsociali, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Dionke Konate
After the success of the Italian DDF, organised by Legacoopsociali, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Fofana Moktar
After the success of the Italian DDF, organised by Legacoopsociali, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Lucky Osayomwanbor
After the success of the Italian DDF, organised by Legacoopsociali, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Mareme Cisse
After the success of the Italian DDF, organised by Legacoopsociali, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Malick Sambou
After the success of the Italian DDF, organised by Legacoopsociali, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Arianna Burdo
After the success of the Italian DDF, organised by Consorzio Communitas, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Fabio Piccoli
After the success of the Italian DDF, organised by Legacoopsociali , some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Önder Kurt
After the success of the German DDF, organised by BUV, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Leila Fereydooni
After the success of the Dutch DDF, organised by BOOST, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Anila Noor
After the success of the Dutch DDF, organised by BOOST, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Karin Arendsen
After the success of the Dutch DDF, organised by BOOST, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Sevi Matsakidou
After the success of the Greek DDF organised by KMOP, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Kati Madisson
After the success of the Estonian DDF, organised by Johannes Mihkelsoni Keskus, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Ali Adil
After the success of the Estonian DDF, organised by Johannes Mihkelsoni Keskus, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Anu Viltrop
After the success of the Estonian DDF, organised by Johannes Mihkelsoni Keskus, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Kristina Avdonina
After the success of the Estonian DDF, organised by Johannes Mihkelsoni Keskus, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Pilar Bernadó
After the success of the Spanish DDF organised by Diputcation de Teruel, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Kasàlà du Danseur de Feu, by Jonathan Nguyen
Read the poem, Kasàlà du Dansuer du Feu, » written by Jonathan Nguyen and find out more what's the story behind it by watching the video.
“This Kasàlà (poem) is a tribute to all those people who had to leave everything behind with the hope of a better life, and beyond that, it is a celebration of …
Red Cross
At the Red Cross they never look at the name on a job application - nor at religious beliefs, race, sex, social status or political affiliation. They only focus on competences.
European Union Global Diaspora Facility
EUDiF seeks to consolidate knowledge and action to address the fragmentation of diaspora engagement for development.
Zidi Circle
By offering their diaspora startups ecosystem all the training resources, coaching and patient capital that they need to grow their businesses, Zidicircle builds resilient infrastructures, promotes inclusive entrepreneurial opportunities and fosters innovation. For their various actions, Zidi has be…
Rebranding the Topic of Migration, the ‘New Narrative
Composed of a team of experts, researchers and journalists, the organization porCausa focuses on shaping new narratives around migration through research and journalistic work. Within its project “Rebranding the Topic of Migration the ‘New Narratives’”, porCausa proposes alternative communication to…
Testimonial – Eva Defior
After the success of the Spanish DDF organised by Diputcation de Teruel, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Testimonial – Natalia Salvo
After the success of the Spanish DDF organised by Diputcation de Teruel, some of the speakers filmed short testimonial videos!
Promoting an insider’s view of Parisian suburbs
Parisian photographer Marvin Bonheur wants to break stereotypes around the capital’s suburbs by challenging young talent to share pictures from their neighbourhoods on Instagram.
‘I feel liberated’: How young migrants in France produced their own movie
In the eastern French city of Montbéliard, a group of teen migrants have made a film documenting their struggles with authorities and integrating into life in France.
‘Let children be children’: Supporting young refugees’ mental health in Wales
In the words of the UNHCR’s Senior Mental Health Officer Peter Ventevogel, "Before the pandemic, refugee mental health was a severely overlooked and under-prioritized issue. Now it is full-blown crisis".
‘Our goal is to empower students based on their talent – not the colour of their passports’
Thousands of international students join the UK job hunt every year after graduation, but finding an employer willing to sponsor your visa is often a hit-or-miss battle. Two Indian entrepreneurs aim to bridge that gap with an online career platform.
How a Cyprus charity realigned its services to face the pandemic
When Cyprus went into lockdown in spring 2020, many migrants found themselves without easy access to food and other necessities. Here's how one charity quickly restructured its organisation to focus on its members' needs.
In Italy, deserted railway buildings are patching up the social fabric and supporting migrants
In 2004, the unattended properties of Genova’s former train station were dusty spaces with cracked walls that had fallen into disuse. Following a century-long process of depopulation, industrialisation, and downgrading property values, the neighbourhood around the former station shows traits of extr…
Adapting to address changing refugee needs in Athens
In Athens, one NGO has focused on adapting its services to suit refugees' needs, offering shelter, Greek and English lessons, food and above all a safe space.
How a refugee-run factory is helping the Netherlands meet its need for face masks
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dutch entrepreneurs teamed up with a work-learn programme for refugees to create the Netherlands' first face mask factory.
Open Meal with Refugees: The public potluck bringing newcomers and locals together in Amsterdam
When Sahr John first moved to Amsterdam, he was an undocumented migrant. Originally from Sierra Leone, for the past four years he has planned and hosted Open Meal with Refugees, a public potluck where refugees and Amsterdammers are encouraged to mingle and make new friends.
How translators in the Netherlands are making Covid-19 information more accessible
Vulnerable communities around the world are faced with lack of access to information on Covid-19 and how to protect against it, including immigrants who don't speak the local language. Across Europe, initiatives have been emerging to fill in the gap.
‘The Poetry Project’: How young refugees in Germany are bridging the cultural gap with their voices
It’s been five years since German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced ‘Wir schaffen das’ — we can do it —and yet the EU is still struggling to find consensus over reforming its asylum policy. Now, local communities are taking the question of migrant integration into their own hands. One Berlin initia…
How a German project uses shared interests to bring refugees and locals together
Volunteers found that common interests and social events were key to fostering friendships between old and new residents of the German city of Wuppertal. Now, amid the coronavirus pandemic, they're having to find new ways to help.
How law students in Germany are providing free advice to asylum seekers
Bureaucracy might be a well-known source of grievances for most new arrivals in Germany, but for some, the burden is considerably heavier than for others. Meet the law students helping asylum seekers and refugees navigate German legislation.
How legal information can support refugees’ fight for their rights in Germany
A young woman from Venezuela sparked local debate in Germany when she spoke up on television about the Covid-19 situation at her refugee accommodation. But she is not the only one who has launched a successful fight for her rights and a more humane living situation this year.
Could matching skilled immigrants with employers help fill the gaps in Sweden’s workforce?
Sweden is facing a shortage of skilled workers, but qualified immigrants often struggle to find employment that fits their education. One programme in southern Sweden aims to match newcomers with employers to help get them into IT jobs.
Open Home: How a group of citizens responded to Luxembourg’s housing crisis by welcoming refugees into their homes
In 2019, Luxembourg received 2,047 applications for asylum. By the end of the year, its asylum centres hosted 3,208 people, including those granted refugee or protection status (BIP) who involuntarily linger on, unable to afford suitable accommodation.
Frustrated with the long waiting times to rece…
How a Spanish project keeps migrant mothers away from trafficking networks
A project in southern Spain shelters migrant mothers and aims to provide them with tools to start their new lives in Europe in a secure way.
‘We help prepare migrants for the job market – and prepare Greek employers for diversity’
Navigating the naturalisation process and finding a job can be a complicated and long procedure for migrants coming to Greece. Generation 2.0, a non-profit organisation working towards a diverse and inclusive society, tries to not only help migrants integrate and thrive, but also to bring about soci…
Football is universal: Why women in Danish asylum centres are taking up football
Volunteers at Asylum United organise weekly football training for female asylum seekers in Denmark as a way to help them keep fit, meet local women and break up the monotony of life in a reception centre.
A dream called Baby Café by Rachida Bouganzir
Rachida was born and raised in Brussels from a Moroccan family. Her business is more a social project rather than a pure business and it has become the point of reference for a lot of parents in the city.
The boomerang of good – Inna and Oleh
Two smiles, four cheerful eyes - these were the resources that Inna and Oleh Yarovyi had upon their arrival in Poland from Ukraine in 2015. Today, they own a growing chain of cafés.
Elmi’s story
“People think that every refugee had it worse in their own country. On the contrary, I had a good job and plans for my life. I wanted a wife and kids. Fate had me become a refugee overnight. I left my country with just one thing - the key to my apartment.” – says Elmi Abdi. He was awarded with a tit…
Olga’s story
The world-famous opera singer, Olga Pasiecznik, spent two days on the Ukrainian-Polish border waiting for a border check. - I didn't know back then that it was the journey of a lifetime - she says.
Manual against Immigrationalism
The preparation and publication of the “Manual against the IMMIGRATIONALISM”, born of the need to communicate the most common mistakes they have detected during these years of work and offer possible solutions, always from an objective view that takes as a basis the creteria and deontological princi…
Migrant Integration Program in Rural Aragon
From this program CEPAIM, a fundation which main goal is to promote a model of inclusive and intercultural society, assist the labor and social insertion in the rural environment of migrants.
Welcome to the Czech Republic
Project aims to provide foreigners with basic information on life in the Czech Republic (legal framework, health system, social system, housing, education, culture, etc.) in order to smooth the integration process.
Next Door Family
Project enables mixing of hosting community and foreigners, helps to open up a conversation, create bonds and make new friends through organizing common lunches between Czech and foreigners families with the help of the facilitator
Yafreisy Berenice Brown Omage, a role model for supermarkets and bakeries
Ms. Yafreisy has a successful supermarket and a bakery in Rome. She won the most prestigious MoneyGram Award, “the Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Award” and prize for "Youth Entrepreneurship".
Network Enterprises are integrating refugees
NUiF is Germany's largest association of companies committed to the employment of refugees. NUiF offers advice, information materials, webinars, workshops and events that are free of charge, just like the membership
“Let´s meet!” “Saame tuttavaks!”
Estonian Refugee Council has initiated series of events all over the country which bring together migrants and Estonian local people. During events migrants carry out different activities (dancing workshops, cooking classes, handicraft classes etc) to show their cultural background
Inclusion of migrants and refugees in and through sport in Germany
People from different parts of the world now have sports clubs to go to. This gives the host country the chance to integrate migrants into the mainstream society through sport
Duo for a job
Duo for a job brings young people with a migrant background in contact with elderly people to help them integrate in the job market by sharing their expertise and experience.
Dler’s story
After staying in Greece for months, Dler from Iraq managed to secure permission to settle to the Netherlands and reunite with members of his family.
Khaled’s story
Khaled came as a refugee from Afghanistan to Greece in 2002. Ever since, he has managed to overcome many and great difficulties and built his life from the beginning in Greece.