Analysis of Relationship between Refugee Centres and Local Communities Completed

On commission from the Ministry of Immigration, Agder Research and the Centre of Urban Affairs have completed an analysis of the relationship between refugee reception centres and local communities in Norway.
 

The objective has been to map how the relationship is perceived and practiced, what challenges exist and how the relationship can be improved. All municipalities with refugee reception centres and all reception centres have been included in the survey. The survey shows that the vast majority of municipalities with refugee reception centres are satisfied or very satisfied with having reception centres in their municipalities. The vast majority of reception centres also perceive the situation in the same way. Further, the survey shows that the burden of having a reception centre is not as great for the municipality as originally feared. The reception centres contribute positively to income and employment, and having a reception centre in the municipality did not mean opposition, racism or criminality. A good relationship between the reception centre and the local community is, however, not something that just happens overnight, and the report identifies a range of barriers that exist, and the necessity of a range of different strategies for the positive development of the relationship between the reception centre and the local community. It is important that the reception centres actively build networks with the local community, volunteer organisations, key persons and the media as well as with the municipality. Local knowledge is important. Good information and openness around the reception centre is also important. The report also shows that internal coordination in the municipality is important, especially in terms of following up asylum seekers' rights. 

Contact:

Winfried Ellingsen, Tel. 92263550
Knut Hidle, Tel. 48010536