Social infrastructure for migrants and integration

The chapter explores social infrastructures (SI) for migrants in a comparative perspective, which fulfill a double function. First, they provide access to education, jobs, the health system, and political and cultural opportunities to migrants, thus contributing to their economic and social capital and fostering overall well-being. Second, by enhancing the autonomy of migrants, they maintain and support social cohesion, serving all residents in a destination country. SIs for migrants are thus defined as “cooperative infrastructures” that can help enhance productivity, economic output and overall prosperity. There are four main areas in which SIs contribute to migrants’ well-being and social cohesion: a) Job search and formal recognition of foreign degrees for participation in the labor market, b) civic participation, in particular by providing support for attaining citizenship and voting rights, c) social spaces and recreational facilities to enhance migrants’ social capital, and d) education and culture, including spaces for civil society engagement.