Integration of migrants and social policy

SHORT OVERVIEW:

IOM activities on integration in Lithuania started in 2000 when projects for integration of the so-called Russian speaking population (former immigrants from ex-Soviet republics) were first implemented. Similar problems were typical for all three Baltic States, but in Lithuania social exclusion was particular in Visaginas – a town highly populated by Slavic communities who worked at the settlement of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant.

Recent migration challenges bring forward new integration issues. Most urgent become activities related to re-integration of Lithuanians returning from abroad (no on-going projects) and integration of third country nationals – legal immigrants residing in Lithuania.

Lithuania has been a fairly homogeneous society for a long time, particularly in racial and religious terms. Foreign residents in Lithuania represent one of the lowest numbers across the EU. At the beginning of 2011 there were around 30,000 foreign residents in Lithuania, representing 1 per cent of the country’s population. Most of them face problems of language or cultural differences. On the other hand, the civil servants/ GO officials who are supposed to tackle those problems do not have the necessary competence, experience or knowledge either. Therefore special integration programmes for legal immigrants – third country nationals as well as training for GO officials/ civil servants and journalists working with migrants are vital.