This pilot action aimed at creating a social employment model for the immigrants – displaced persons from Ukraine in Croatia in Osijek-Baranja County through the social enterprise sector.
It explored and tested two employment opportunities:
- job placement of the target groups within existing social enterprises (sheltered employment) and expanding it to their business network (local businesses and local communities)
- creation of the support program for social employment within the existing support organizations, thus building on already existing resources (infrastructural and human) but adding custom made tools for the target group – on-line tools and educational program (training and mentoring)
The aim was to create sustainable social employment model with a strong emphasis on integration (language, social, cultural) activities and outcomes.
The influx of *non-EU nationals* brings unprecedented challenges to many Central European regions that, unlike Western Europe were not destinations of migration waves in recent history. The armed conflict or outright war in Europe’s immediate neighborhood (Ukraine, Syria, Nothern Africa) suggest that Central Europe will see further arrivals of non-EU nationals – both legal migration helping to meet labor shortages and refugees under the Genova convention.
In addition to migration waves from Syria and North Africa, the crisis in Ukraine has global consequences and European countries are preparing to receive Ukrainian refugees.
For the successful integration of non-EU nationals into society, it is emphasized that asylum seekers and displaced persons are equal in rights with domicile citizens. In economic, social and cultural life, they are guaranteed the right to equal status in relation to the citizens of the Republic of Croatia, including equal rights in the labor market. However, non-EU nationals may encounter difficulties in integrating into society due to language barrier, lack of documents, stereotypes and prejudices. To achieve the right to work, as one of the fundamental human rights, enables the employment of non-EU nationals and asylum seekers, their inclusion in society and the rational disposal of funds intended for foreigners, including less dependence of the parties on social assistance. Supporting and strengthening public-civil partnerships, in the realization of the right to work, also enables the right of migrants to equal treatment, respect for diversity and the prohibition of discrimination.
