IOM Concludes Community Sponsorship project, celebrating volunteer engagement and refugee resilience

Brussels, 20 June – On the eve of World Refugee Day, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) brought together volunteers, refugees and Community Ambassadors to mark the conclusion of its Community Sponsorship pilot project in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The initiative supported refugees in securing independent housing and taking their first steps towards inclusion in Belgium with the help of 27 volunteers. The closing event also celebrated the commitment, solidarity and contributions of those involved.

Implemented under the ‘Reinforcing Integration via Sponsorship Enhancement’ (RISE) project, funded by the European Commission under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the programme paired refugees with small groups of volunteers who provided practical and social support to the newcomers for one year.

Access to safe, affordable housing was central to the programme – addressing one of the greatest challenges faced by newcomers in Belgium. Volunteers supported refugees with administrative procedures, school enrolment, language learning, job searches and access to public services – helping them navigate a new environment with greater confidence. “Finding housing was our biggest challenge. We visited more than fifty apartments and were rejected each time. Thanks to the support of our sponsor group, we were ultimately able to find a home,” said Pedro, a newcomer participating in the programme.

*Thanks to Community Sponsorship, Pedro has found a home and the security to move forward. Photo: IOM/Jozefien Dierynck*

*Pedro and his wife Beatriz were supported by what they call their “angels”, their sponsor group. Photo: IOM/Jozefien Dierynck*

Following recognition of their protection status, refugees typically have only two to four months to leave reception centres and secure accommodation – frequently facing language barriers, limited social networks and discrimination. Volunteers played a key role in bridging these gaps – supporting communication with landlords, clarifying administrative processes and helping build trust.

Six volunteer groups supported eleven refugees coming from regions including South America, West, Central and East Africa and Middle East to settle across cities including Antwerp, Brussels, and Ghent. Towards the end, 27 volunteers were matched and actively engaged.

Building on previous initiatives, IOM worked closely with diaspora communities to engage volunteers with migration and refugee backgrounds who used their personal experiences to support newcomers throughout their integration journey.

“As someone with a migration background, I know how difficult it can be to find housing and learn a new language. That motivated me to become a sponsor and help a family make a fresh start,” said Joyce, a volunteer in the project who is originally from Mozambique.

As someone with a migration background, I know how difficult it can be to find housing and learn a new language. That motivated me to become a sponsor and help a family make a fresh start
Joyce, Sponsor

*Joyce, a volunteer in the project, understands how difficult it can be to find housing and learn a new language. Photo: IOM/Jozefien Dierynck*

*Joyce forms part of the sponsor group supporting Pedro and Beatriz with matters such as housing and administrative tasks. Photo: IOM/Jozefien Dierynck*

“This project demonstrates the immense potential of volunteer-led initiatives to help create welcoming communities,” said Marise Habib, Chief of Mission at IOM Belgium and Luxembourg. “With the right support, local networks can play a key role in helping newcomers settle in Belgium. We hope this experience will encourage continued investment in Community Sponsorship and similar initiatives.”

The pilot forms part of IOM’s broader efforts to promote protection, inclusion and sustainable pathways for migrants and refugees in Belgium.

Visit the RISE platform to learn more: https://rise-integration.be/

Note to editors:

RISE – Reinforcing Integration through Sponsorship Enhancement – is funded by the European Union through the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (2021-2027) and is implemented by IOM in Belgium and Luxembourg, Italy, and Lithuania, in cooperation with Roma Tre University, Odisee University of Applied Sciences, and the Lithuanian Reception and Integration Agency. It is a Community Sponsorship initiative that connects local residents and communities with migrants who are forced to start a new life in a new country.

For more information, please contact:

Jozefien Dierynck, Communications Support Assistant : jdierynck@iom.int

Audrey Bety, Project Manager: abety@iom.int