Research on the reception of refugees in low-density territories (TBD, 2017-2024), carried out at CETRAD, was presented at the 1st Meeting on Challenges and Policies for the Integration of Migrants, held at UTAD on 17 January 2025. Four central ideas can be deduced from this research: (i) the existence of structural problems, especially at the beginning, in the national system of geographical dispersion in the reception of refugees, which were particularly evident in the TBD; (ii) the very significant role of local institutions and their staff, mobilising networks and social capital to try to fill gaps and limitations in the reception system; (iii) although facing chronic challenges, the TBDs can make a difference and build a culture of welcome, as is the paradigmatic case of Fundão; (iv) if the TBDs can make a difference in welcoming migration, refugees and other immigrants can also make a difference in the TBDs, making a decisive contribution to their sustainability.
Research news:
– “Portugal em Direto” (Antena 1): link (from 22′).
– Jornal de Notícias: https://www.jn.pt/7064834530/refugiados-encontram-no-interior-melhores-condicoes/
(* There is a small typo in this JN article: “Since 25 April 1974 until 2015 there will have been no more than 500” should read “Since 25 April 1974 until 2015 there will have been no more than 1,500”.
