DUAL ONLINE CENTER
Bank of Good Practices in Social Inclusion through WBL
Igma-Femina- Shortening distance to education/labour market for migrant and refugee women through gender-sensitive counselling and local cooperation strategies
Overview
IGMA-FEMINA addressed the growing exclusion of migrant and refugee women from education and labour markets. Building on earlier IGMA projects, it implemented a gender-sensitive approach to counselling and support. The project mapped local networks and developed tailored strategies for helping migrant women navigate systems of education and employment. It trained counsellors and created guidelines for integrating gender-sensitive perspectives into EU integration policies.
Objectives
The main goal was to provide migrant women with effective, culturally aware, and gender-sensitive counselling to access educational and work-based opportunities. It helped reduce systemic and socio-cultural barriers through cooperation between adult education providers, employers, and public services.
Implementation
The project involved mapping local actors, training staff in gender-sensitive counselling, developing curricula focused on migrant women’s needs, and creating strategies for cooperation among education and employment stakeholders. It emphasized local network collaboration and intersectional support for integration.
Innovative features
Gender-sensitive counselling, Stakeholder network coordination, Migrant-focused training, Inclusion guidelines, Local strategy development
Measured outcomes
Enhanced access to education and WBL for migrant women; new methodologies for counselling; stronger local cooperation models adopted; Erasmus+ good practice award
Challenges and lessons learned
Cultural stigma, limited system navigation knowledge, and coordination gaps among agencies were addressed through gender-focused training, simplified pathways, and stakeholder agreements.
- CountryGreece Netherlands Sweden Ukraine United Kingdom
- SectorEducation and pedagogy Labour market services Social inclusion
- Target groupMigrants, refugees and asylum seekers Women
Leading organisation
Folkuniversitetet Uppsala
Date
2016, 2019
Key stakeholders
• VET providers and training centers: DIMITRA and adult education institutions
• NGOs and social organizations: NGOs working with migrants
• Government agencies and policymakers: public employment services and municipal integration units
• Employers and business networks: employer associations
• NGOs and social organizations: NGOs working with migrants
• Government agencies and policymakers: public employment services and municipal integration units
• Employers and business networks: employer associations
Number of beneficiaries
Numerous women supported; trained counsellors and integration workers across 5 countries (exact numbers not listed)
