Breaking down barriers: PAFMI boosts migrant integration in Europe

Two smiling men of migrant background are taking a course in a classroom.

‘Partnerships and Financing for Migrant Inclusion’ (PAFMI), has successfully shown how creative financing and collaboration can facilitate the integration of non-EU nationals in EU Member States. Led by the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and boosted by EUR 3.5 million from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), PAFMI addressed four main challenges often faced by migrants:

Integration into labour markets;
Social inclusion and discrimination;
Access to education and training;
Navigating administrative and legal barriers.

Four pilot projects were implemented in Belgium, Finland, Italy, and the Netherlands, providing tailored support such as training, mentoring, and microloans to over 3,000 migrants.

The pilots have already achieved impressive results:

Over 600 migrant families joined integration activities;
848 professionals were trained in migrant financial inclusion;
More than 1,200 migrants benefitted from tailored support, including training and coaching;
77 microloans were issued, fostering self-employment and economic independence.

Next steps

The CEB will publish a final report on lessons learned and best practices, which will be presented to the European Commission by the end of 2025. This report will be shared with managing authorities of EU funds and the European Integration Network, with the aim of inspiring stakeholders to adopt the ‘PAFMI’ model and promote a more balanced perspective on migration.

By sharing the experiences and successes of this initiative, the CEB and its partners hope to create a ripple effect, encouraging more innovative and effective approaches to migrant integration across Europe. With the right partnerships and financing, it is possible to break down barriers and unlock the potential of migrants, ultimately enriching the social and economic fabric of their host countries.