As part of the Mutual Learning Program of the UMN project, the two Bulgarian partners - SDA and CITUB, hosted a delegation from the city of Liege. From June 13 through 16, 2022 representatives of the city administration in Liege and NGOs met with Bulgarian experts and organizations working for the integration of third-country nationals. The delegation visited the headquarters of CITUB, the municipal Bureau for Information and Services for Third Country Nationals, the Registration and Reception Center for Refugees in Ovcha Kupel, the Municipal Registration Center at Sofia Central Railway Station, Caritas Bulgaria. Discussions focused on the experience of Sofia and Bulgaria in providing integration services to refugees and migrants, the challenges and issues faced, good practices and lessons learned. The final meeting on June 16 was hosted by Sofia Municipality, during which the guests from Liege had an opportunity to ask questions about municipal policies and practices linked to migrant integration.

The UMN project is drawing to a close and the Bulgarian partners are now planning the final conference in September, during which we will share our experiences and ideas for improving the pathways to integration for all those forced to flee from their homeland, in search of a better life for themselves and their families.

 UMN project co-funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.