Autobiographical sessions for migrants and ethnic minorities

The training kit developed in the first part of the project were tested (as we mentioned here) on three levels. At the third level we organised local activities for migrants and minority groups. The plan was to select in each country 20 migrants and 20 persons from ethnic minority groups but the lockdown urged in all partner countries by Covid (in all Europe in fact, also in Asia that is the area where should come from most of migrants Romanian partner intended to work with) made impossible the development of local activities according to this plan.

Partners started local activities at the end of 2019 – beginning of 2020 but we were forced to stop them in March 2020 and we lost almost all participants. So, finally we gathered were 201 participants as follows:

  • Romania: 41 participants: 18 migrants from Nepali who come in Romania for work (two groups, 7 and 11 members) and 23 Roma people (one group)
  • Italy: 33 participants: 17 refugee women from Iran and Afghanistan and 16 Romanian people (having Italian citizenship)
  • Sweden: 35 participants: 15 women from Afghanistan seeking refugee status and 20 ethnic minorities – a mixed group of second generation migrants from families originating all over the world
  • Bulgaria: 40 participants: 20 migrants (one group) from Russia, Ukraine and Moldova who come to Bulgaria for work and 20 people from Arabian and Turkish minority
  • United Kingdoms: 52 participants: 32 migrants (two groups, 14 and 18 members) and 20 minorities (two groups, 11 Jewish and 9 Mormons)

But the pandemic context had also a positive impact on the project. We were forced to find creative solution in attracting the learners, we diversified the range of vulnerable groups by including religious minorities (this had a strong impact in UK, as one from the participants developed an exhibition with stories of Jewish Community in St. Albans.

Another positive aspect was the development of on-line activities (that began as a restraint but it was very helpful, for example, for refugee women in Italy)