Practitioners from municipalities (Stad Mechelen / Belgium, Municipality of Nikaia-Rentis / Greece and Sala Kommun / Sweden) and institutions (KU Leuven - HIVA and Beyond the Horizon International Strategic Studies Group vzw / Belgium) gathered between 15-16 November 2021 in Athens to discuss the details of mentor training as part of the social mentoring programme to be used during the implementation phase of project ORIENT8 as framed in HIVA’s work Initial Guidelines for Social Mentoring Programs for Newcomers.

Deputy Minister of Migration Mrs. Sofia Voultepsi and the Mayor of Municipality of Nikaia - AG. I. Rentis Mr. Georgios Ioakeimidis attended the workshop and gave a keynote speech on the importance of integration.

The team also matured its work regarding the Initial Mentoring Programme by adding general mentor training content and tools that will be necessary during the implementation of the social mentoring programme. The work is now available as Final Mentoring Programme.

ORIENT8 is a smart social mentoring programme supported by smart digital tools and tailored activities. It smartly pairs newly arrived third country nationals (newcomers) with the volunteer members of the local community in order to help them overcome daily difficulties at the early stage of their integration process. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).