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Inclusive Settlement of Young Asylum Seekers in a Rural Region: The Role of Informal Support and Mentoring

Author

Listed:
  • Xavier Alarcón

    (School of Education and Psychology, Universitat de Girona, Plaça Sant Domènec, 9, 17071 Girona, Spain)

  • Xavier Casademont

    (Serra Hunter Fellow, School of Education and Psychology, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain)

  • Vladislava Lendzhova

    (Department of Sociology, South West University, 2700 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria)

  • Emre Erdoğan

    (Department of International Relations, Istanbul Bilgi University, Istanbul 34440, Turkey)

Abstract

In the last ten years, the settlement and integration of refugee families and asylum seekers have represented some of the main challenges faced by European territories. People in need of international protection can face challenges in being settled and integrated into rural areas where it is often difficult to find co-ethnic support networks. This case study provides relevant data on how the settlement of young asylum seekers is carried out in the main town of a rural area in Catalunya. It explores the impact of a mentoring programme which consists of providing informal support to newcomers in language acquisition (Catalan), as well as inclusion in the job market and social capital. We interviewed almost all participants of that programme in this rural area, gathering in-depth interviews with mentees (with eight young asylum seekers) and two discussion groups with their mentors (living in the main town of the region). Our findings showed that whereas the main objectives of the programme are providing linguistic support, social capital and inclusion to the job market, mentoring is more focused on providing emotional support and cultivating a sense of belonging. Various outcomes will be discussed which consider the types of support that were present in mentoring relationships and how bonding and bridging social capital were fostered, namely the elements that can promote a more inclusive and welcoming rural community.

Suggested Citation

  • Xavier Alarcón & Xavier Casademont & Vladislava Lendzhova & Emre Erdoğan, 2021. "Inclusive Settlement of Young Asylum Seekers in a Rural Region: The Role of Informal Support and Mentoring," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:5132-:d:548527
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christian Dustmann & Francesco Fasani & Tommaso Frattini & Luigi Minale & Uta Schönberg, 2017. "On the economics and politics of refugee migration," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 32(91), pages 497-550.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ahmad AlShwawra, 2021. "Syrian Refugees’ Integration Policies in Jordanian Labor Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Radlick, Rebecca Lynn & Przedpelska, Sarah, 2024. "Participatory research approaches to studying social capital in youth mentoring: Not the panacea we hoped for," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    3. Edgar Iglesias & Carme Montserrat & Judit Gallart & Cayetano Gomez, 2023. "Participation, Leisure and Social Networks as Key Factors in the Inclusion of Young Unaccompanied Migrants," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(3), pages 897-915, June.

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