Center for the Integration of Foreigners

About this project

<p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">The Center for the Integration of Foreigners in Sisak is the first model of comprehensive support to foreigners and provision of ongoing assistance through integrated legal, psychosocial and other services in one place. The Center will systematically work on international protection and legal assistance to foreigners throughout Croatia, in cooperation with the state institutions. Target beneficiaries are foreigners with unresolved status in the Republic of Croatia (Serb returnees, stateless persons / at risk of losing citizenship, Roma, applicants for international protection and persons with international protection, refugees resettled from Turkey through a resettlement program) who have so far been able to apply for comprehensive assistance in one place only in Zagreb.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">The Norwegian Refugee Council (supported establishment of the project promoter) will be involved in promotion of international standards of human rights. Civic Initiative "My City of Sisak" will provide psychosocial assistance and participate in social inclusion activities in the local community. The City of Sisak contribute to sustainabiity with intzention to build a Center for Support of Vulnerable Groups in Sisak based on the results of this project.&nbsp;</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Key activities include provision of legal and psychosocial assistance, education, empowerment and integration of beneficiaries (i.e. Croatian language courses, social inclusion activities), monitoring of legislation and initiating changes based on problems identified in the application of laws and regulations in practice, and raising awareness on the importance of the integration of foreigners, in cooperation with the Ombudsman.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">In addition, the project will strengthen human rights associations to promote the rights of foreigners with unresolved status, address legal and social issues they face, and raise public awareness on discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin and religion, which applies to the most of foreigners. </span></span></p>

Bilateral cooperation results

Through cooperation, regular trainings and seminars organized by the partner organization European Stateless Network (ENS), PGP staff were regularly educated on international standards and the situation regarding stateless persons in Europe and the world. So in 2022, we educated ourselves on strategic litigation.

Project partners

• Norwegian Refugee Council Donor project partner· Norway
• Civic initiative "My city Sisak" Project partner· Croatia
• City of Sisak Project partner· Croatia