This network brings together 16 organisations from 14 countries. Our aim is to tackle the need for outreach to marginalised groups, especially migrants and ethnic minorities, for the development of more diversity in adult education, and especially the inclusion of learners´ voices, and for the empowerment of its learners to become active European citizens.

IOM Vienna, representing IOM, acts as a member in the Steering Committee of the project and is involved in the development of the policy recommendations. IOMs role is to offer expertise on migration issues (such as exclusion mechanisms in institutions, historical background, labour migration, etc.) and to participate in the final conference of the project.

More information about the project can be found here.

As of January 2012, IOM Vienna is implementing the new project CulTrain, which will offer cultural orientation trainings to Unaccompanied Minor Refugees. These trainings function as a supplement to language training and offer comprehensive information regarding Austria and its people. The trainings are also intended to act as a sign of welcome, designed to positively shape the interaction process with the host community.

The project is divided into two phases. During the preparation phase (January to April), the content of the cultural orientation trainings will be developed. National experts will be consulted in order to match the training contents to the needs of the target group. Based on this a comprehensive training curriculum including materials and handouts for conducting the trainings will be designed. During the second phase (May to December), ten trainings will be carried out. Each training will take place over three afternoons, or 1.5 days, with 5-10 participants per training; they will be conducted in Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Salzburg. The cultural orientation trainings will consist of three modules on different topics of daily life and will inform the participants regarding relevant authorities and their contact information.

Participants of the trainings are required to be aged 16-21, hold a refugee or subsidiary protection status in Austria, and speak German at A2 level. Participation is free of charge, and if necessary travel expenses will be covered by IOM Vienna. Additionally, each training will be evaluated separately by the participants. At the end of the training participants will receive a participation certificate.

Pictures of the trainings and new training appointments can be found on our Facebook Site.

For further information please contact:

Katharina Benedetter