JOIN THE CAMPAIGN

FOR A WELCOMING EUROPE

WELCOMING PEOPLE WITH OPEN ARMS

A growing number of municipalities and regions in Europe are prepared to welcome asylum seekers; and many citizens want to help and show solidarity. We want to make sure that people who want to welcome other people with open arms are actually able to do so, and without being harassed or intimidated.

EU GOVERNMENTS BLOCKING AND CRIMINALISING SOLIDARITY

In today’s European Union, the voice of citizens wanting to welcome refugees and asylum seekers is not taken into account. People and NGOs helping refugees with food and water or rescuing people at sea are even being harassed and criminalised.

We need to stand up for and support the people who are being harassed for their humanity, and reform the Migration and Asylum Pact so that those who want to welcome refugees can do so properly.

Get the latest news

Subscribe below

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE

Specifically, we want to support the solidarity of NGOs and citizens that are rescuing people, influence decision makers and rally around NGOs that are being criminalised for helping refugees and asylum seekers. We believe that citizens’ initiatives and the work of NGOs should be a starting point in any future solidarity and relocation schemes in Europe.

Also, since the current Pact on Migration & Asylum discussed by European institutions does not address the growing movement of local communities, it needs to be reformed. We want to make sure that it reflects the clear support for “welcoming” initiatives, so that national authorities stop blocking people from welcoming those in need.

decorative image

HOW WE WORK FOR A WELCOMING EUROPE

Let’s support solidarity !

  • We support NGOs and citizens that are being harassed, receive threats and are sometimes dragged to court because they rescue refugees and migrants at sea, or because they give them water, food or clothes.
  • We raise awareness around these cases and put pressure on national governments to fight against these worrying trends in many Member States
  • We showcase local initiatives throughout Europe that are ready to welcome asylum seekers and refugees, and amplify their voices on EU level
  • We mobilise EU citizens to take action and put pressure on their local governments to show solidarity and follow the example of other cities and municipalities
  • We team up with NGOs, researchers, think tanks and Green municipalities to raise awareness around these initiatives
  • We advocate for the voluntary reception capacity concept on EU level (to be included in the Migration Pact) and for the fact that the EU should provide financial incentives to municipalities and regions receiving asylum seekers.

OUR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES

Filter
array(8) { ["url"]=> string(39) "files/assets/imgs/list/msb81439_web.jpg" ["title"]=> string(27) "Samos Camp ©MSF/Dora Vangi" ["alt"]=> string(27) "Samos Camp ©MSF/Dora Vangi" ["copyright"]=> string(27) "Samos Camp ©MSF/Dora Vangi" ["updated_at"]=> int(1632316715) ["file_name"]=> string(36) "1277d6e6a8593d51d134221b8e4f3adf.jpg" ["fname"]=> string(16) "MSB81439_web.jpg" ["urls"]=> array(4) { ["jumbo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10339/jumbo" ["list"]=> string(51) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10339/list" ["photo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10339/photo" ["portrait"]=> string(55) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10339/portrait" } }
Samos Camp ©MSF/Dora Vangi
Samos Camp ©MSF/Dora Vangi
Opinion |

One year after the EU migration pact, a better future for refugees?

Damian Boeselager
Opinion by Damian Boeselager
A year ago, the European Commission published its proposals for a new Pact on Migration and Asylum. But the last 12 months have painfully highlighted the shortcomings in the EU’s approach on asylum. Read more about what needs to change, and which solutions we propose.
array(8) { ["url"]=> string(45) "files/assets/imgs/list/thaer_jafar3.jpeg.jpeg" ["title"]=> string(11) "Thaer Jafar" ["alt"]=> string(11) "Thaer Jafar" ["copyright"]=> NULL ["updated_at"]=> int(1626346077) ["file_name"]=> string(37) "e2aaeeb62732c3a1b397758448ef780e.jpeg" ["fname"]=> string(17) "Thaer Jafar3.jpeg" ["urls"]=> array(4) { ["jumbo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10280/jumbo" ["list"]=> string(51) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10280/list" ["photo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10280/photo" ["portrait"]=> string(55) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10280/portrait" } } Thaer Jafar
Opinion |

Fighting for a welcoming Europe

“You can really set something in motion by simply showing an interest.” writes Kristina Koch, a journalist and refugee worker at the organisation Willkommen in Nippes, in Cologne. She tells us the story of Thaer Jafar, a Syrian refugee with an incredible talent, and reminds us that small gestures can make a world of difference.
array(8) { ["url"]=> string(36) "files/assets/imgs/list/syed2_web.jpg" ["title"]=> string(4) "Syed" ["alt"]=> string(4) "Syed" ["copyright"]=> NULL ["updated_at"]=> int(1623828593) ["file_name"]=> string(36) "53559fe7e1ce475e6deeddb40ca8b48a.jpg" ["fname"]=> string(13) "Syed2_web.jpg" ["urls"]=> array(4) { ["jumbo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10170/jumbo" ["list"]=> string(51) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10170/list" ["photo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10170/photo" ["portrait"]=> string(55) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10170/portrait" } } Syed
Opinion |

From Afghan war refugee to refugee rights campaigner

Escaping war-torn Afghanistan, Syed saw little humanity during his dangerous journey to Italy. But then, the kindness of a pizza chef and an Italian teacher inspired him to stay, complete his University degree and fight for refugee rights.
array(8) { ["url"]=> string(39) "files/assets/imgs/list/fotozapp_web.jpg" ["title"]=> string(40) "#500Children initiative - Femke de Vries" ["alt"]=> string(40) "#500Children initiative - Femke de Vries" ["copyright"]=> string(40) "#500Children initiative - Femke de Vries" ["updated_at"]=> int(1622557693) ["file_name"]=> string(36) "ae60b1e47ea71e97d4a5a39b11ac0b31.jpg" ["fname"]=> string(16) "fotoZAPP_web.jpg" ["urls"]=> array(4) { ["jumbo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10122/jumbo" ["list"]=> string(51) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10122/list" ["photo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10122/photo" ["portrait"]=> string(55) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10122/portrait" } }
#500Children initiative - Femke de Vries
#500Children initiative - Femke de Vries
Opinion |

A windmill of solidarity

In a Dutch story of solidarity and support, Femke de Vries, Policy officer for the Dutch Council for Refugees, tells of their nationwide campaign to resettle 500 children from refugee camps in Greece to safe haven in the Netherlands.
array(8) { ["url"]=> string(58) "files/assets/imgs/list/phil-botha-20vff_v0gzy-unsplash.jpg" ["title"]=> string(31) "Photo by Phil Botha on Unsplash" ["alt"]=> string(5) "Fence" ["copyright"]=> string(31) "Photo by Phil Botha on Unsplash" ["updated_at"]=> int(1621445463) ["file_name"]=> string(36) "28cce3cc97dc9018ab30d2698aa952dd.jpg" ["fname"]=> string(35) "phil-botha-20VfF_v0GZY-unsplash.jpg" ["urls"]=> array(4) { ["jumbo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10086/jumbo" ["list"]=> string(51) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10086/list" ["photo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10086/photo" ["portrait"]=> string(55) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10086/portrait" } }
Photo by Phil Botha on Unsplash
Fence
Press release |

EU must put human rights at the centre of migration deals

Members of the European Parliament have adopted a report on Human rights protection and the EU external migration policy, from Greens/EFA Group MEP Tineke Strik, calling for the EU to support better human rights in migration. The vote comes after several reports of human rights violations surrounding the EU's migration deals with third co…
array(8) { ["url"]=> string(49) "files/assets/imgs/list/damian_blue_card.jpeg.jpeg" ["title"]=> string(25) "EU Blue Card Deal Reached" ["alt"]=> string(44) "EU Blue Card Deal Reached - Trilogue picture" ["copyright"]=> string(13) "@d_boeselager" ["updated_at"]=> int(1621332810) ["file_name"]=> string(37) "51d90d74a3ce819e5d52b3b993b4c8de.jpeg" ["fname"]=> string(21) "Damian blue card.jpeg" ["urls"]=> array(4) { ["jumbo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10078/jumbo" ["list"]=> string(51) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10078/list" ["photo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10078/photo" ["portrait"]=> string(55) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10078/portrait" } }
@d_boeselager
EU Blue Card Deal Reached - Trilogue picture
Press release |

EU Blue Card Deal reached: Step towards a fairer migration system

Negotiators from the European Parliament, Council and Commission reached an agreement on the EU Blue Card Directive, setting out the conditions of entry and residence of non-EU nationals for the purposes of highly-qualified employment. The trilogues started in 2017 and with negotiations finalised, the next step is for the European Parliam…
array(8) { ["url"]=> string(60) "files/assets/imgs/list/maria-teneva-uhdbng-avpc-unsplash.jpg" ["title"]=> string(16) "Refugees welcome" ["alt"]=> string(16) "Refugees welcome" ["copyright"]=> string(14) "©maria-teneva" ["updated_at"]=> int(1619781930) ["file_name"]=> string(36) "180f5a2f458cbf2c7c0dc04293ccf0b9.jpg" ["fname"]=> string(37) "maria-teneva-uHDbnG-Avpc-unsplash.jpg" ["urls"]=> array(4) { ["jumbo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10044/jumbo" ["list"]=> string(51) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10044/list" ["photo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10044/photo" ["portrait"]=> string(55) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10044/portrait" } }
©maria-teneva
Refugees welcome
Event |

Europe welcomes: The role of municipalities in EU's asylum system

Live Webinar: Join us to discuss experiences of local communities and challenges that should be addressed in future EU asylum policy!
array(8) { ["url"]=> string(53) "files/assets/imgs/list/family_photo_in_londerzeel.jpg" ["title"]=> string(26) "Family photo in Londerzeel" ["alt"]=> string(26) "Family photo in Londerzeel" ["copyright"]=> string(26) "Family photo in Londerzeel" ["updated_at"]=> int(1620305975) ["file_name"]=> string(36) "68f716ff9255cf42b34d6e4f60e85905.jpg" ["fname"]=> string(30) "Family photo in Londerzeel.jpg" ["urls"]=> array(4) { ["jumbo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10058/jumbo" ["list"]=> string(51) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10058/list" ["photo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10058/photo" ["portrait"]=> string(55) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10058/portrait" } }
Family photo in Londerzeel
Family photo in Londerzeel
Opinion |

From the Moria refugee camp to the Belgian countryside

After a fire destroyed the refugee camp in Moria (Greece) where she had been staying, Claire* and ten other unaccompanied minors were relocated to Belgium. Claire was fostered by Wim and his family, on their farm in the Belgian countryside.
array(8) { ["url"]=> string(64) "files/assets/imgs/list/yucar-fotografik-cfr-v1quekw-unsplash.jpg" ["title"]=> string(37) "Photo by YUCAR FotoGrafik on Unsplash" ["alt"]=> string(7) "The sea" ["copyright"]=> string(37) "Photo by YUCAR FotoGrafik on Unsplash" ["updated_at"]=> int(1619700529) ["file_name"]=> string(36) "1e0a39b30f011579bce4f9974eb3a68c.jpg" ["fname"]=> string(41) "yucar-fotografik-cfR-V1QuEKw-unsplash.jpg" ["urls"]=> array(4) { ["jumbo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10034/jumbo" ["list"]=> string(51) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10034/list" ["photo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10034/photo" ["portrait"]=> string(55) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10034/portrait" } }
Photo by YUCAR FotoGrafik on Unsplash
The sea
Press release |

New revelations show Frontex working with Libyan Coast Guard

Revelations from a team of journalists, appears to show that the EU border Agency Frontex is coordinating with the Libyan Coast Guard to engage in illegal "pullbacks", stopping refugees and migrants from crossing the Mediterranean into Europe. The Libyan Coast Guard has been accused of multiple human rights violations. Frontex had previou…
array(8) { ["url"]=> string(61) "files/assets/imgs/list/markus-spiske-n1ekmwhecpw-unsplash.jpg" ["title"]=> string(36) "Refugees welcome/ CC0/ markus-spiske" ["alt"]=> string(36) "Refugees welcome/ CC0/ markus-spiske" ["copyright"]=> string(36) "Refugees welcome/ CC0/ markus-spiske" ["updated_at"]=> int(1619181166) ["file_name"]=> string(36) "25780c3e8abf5f00eef68942fd74aa33.jpg" ["fname"]=> string(38) "markus-spiske-n1EkmwHecpw-unsplash.jpg" ["urls"]=> array(4) { ["jumbo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10004/jumbo" ["list"]=> string(51) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10004/list" ["photo"]=> string(52) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10004/photo" ["portrait"]=> string(55) "https://extranet.greens-efa.eu/api/image/10004/portrait" } }
Refugees welcome/ CC0/ markus-spiske
Refugees welcome/ CC0/ markus-spiske
Opinion |

Europe says “Refugees Welcome!”

Alice Kuhnke Damian Boeselager Saskia Bricmont Damien Carême Tineke Strik Ernest Urtasun
Opinion by Alice Kuhnke & Damian Boeselager & Saskia Bricmont & Damien Carême & Tineke Strik & Ernest Urtasun
We are proud to launch a new interactive tool, EuropeWelcomes.org, to showcase the success stories behind the cities and municipalities across Europe that have opened their doors to refugees.

SHOWCASE SOLIDARITY

Since the start of the migration crisis in 2015, over a thousand municipalities in Europe have demonstrated their willingness to welcome asylum-seekers and refugees. But despite the willingness of people across the EU to show compassion, shelter and assistance to refugees, EU asylum policy currently prevents cities and municipalities to receive those in need.

BUT YOU CAN ACT!

Check out our interactive map, and discover the communities that are willing to welcome, place your city there or write to your mayor. Also make sure to read our blog!

Find out what you can do to help