A New Beginning: Refugee Integration in Europe

The aim of this study is to review trends in the development of policy areas relevant to integration, to highlight already-used measurable integration indicators and the methods of evaluating integration, and to highlight factors that influence integration outcomes for refugees.The task was to identify the presence or absence of refugee-specific knowledge and statistical data on integration through a review of literature, and to explore refugee-specific barriers or facilitators to integration through consultation with refugees and stakeholders whose work relates to refugees.Through this combined methodology this research sets out to test the assumption that existing integration policy areas, integration indicators and influencing factors are relevant in the case of refugees. The consultation component of the research set out to ask at a broad level what are the main factors which are influential (positively or negatively) in refugees’ levels of “success” in accepted integration policy areas; are there differences relating to integration which set refugees apart from other immigrant groups; are there areas which are more critical for refugees when compared with wider migrant integration; and are there indicators of integration which are significant for refugees but which are understated in policy? UNHCR is interested in “how refugees are doing” in terms of integration, and how their integration trajectories, or pathways, are impacted on (positively and negatively) and by what factors.The study did not aim to evaluate refugee integration, nor did it aim to evaluate policies or programming relating to integration at either national or EU level. This report is therefore not an evaluation report. Within the literature review and consultations, the study considered what approaches to integration appeared to have positive or successful outcomes, and sought to identify examples of good or interesting practice which others might consider. The findings of this research which have led to our recommendations concerning refugee integration are therefore based on existing knowledge and on recent consultations. However, practices identified in this report are not the outcome of any evaluation nor are the cited examples of practice exhaustive.
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