# EUR-Lex - 52011DC0455 - EN

*|*

# 52011DC0455

**COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals /* COM/2011/0455 final */**

			*

			*

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1........... INTEGRATION AS A WAY OF
REALISING THE POTENTIAL OF MIGRATION 2

2........... MANAGING INTEGRATION IS A
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY...................... 3

A........... INTEGRATION THROUGH PARTICIPATION.......................................................... 4

B........... MORE ACTION AT LOCAL LEVEL.......................................................................... 8

C........... INVOLVEMENT OF COUNTRIES OF
ORIGIN...................................................... 10

3........... THE WAY FORWARD............................................................................................ 11

1.
INTEGRATION AS A WAY OF REALISING THE POTENTIAL
OF MIGRATION

Over the past decades, most EU Member
States have experienced increasing migration. Migrants from third countries
represent around four percent of the total EU population[1]. The composition of EU's
population is thus changing, and European societies are faced with increasing
diversity. This leads to new conditions for social cohesion and government
response to public concerns.

Europe is also strongly influenced by demographic
changes, including the ageing population, longer life expectancies and a
declining working-age population[2].
Legal migration can help to address these issues, in addition to maximising the
use of the labour force and skills already available in the EU and improving
the productivity of the EU economy. Demographic trends vary from region to
region and need to be addressed through tailor made solutions. If the full
benefits from migration are to be realised, Europe needs to find a way to
better cope with its diverse and multicultural societies through more effective
integration of migrants.

The Europe 2020 Strategy[3] and the Stockholm Programme[4] fully recognise the potential
of migration for building a competitive and sustainable economy and they set out,
as a clear political objective, the effective integration of legal migrants,
underpinned by the respect and promotion of human rights[5].

Member States have confirmed their
commitment to further developing the core idea of integration as a driver for
economic development and social cohesion, in order to better enhance migrants'
contribution to economic growth and cultural richness[6]. There is already a framework
for EU co-operation on integration through the Common Basic Principles for
Immigrant Integration Policy in the European Union, which were agreed by the
Council in 2004[7].
The Principles underline that integration is a dynamic, two-way process of
mutual accommodation by migrants and by the societies that receive them. All EU
actions presented by the Commission in the 2005 Common Agenda for Integration
have been completed.[8]
However, the social, economic and political context has changed and not all
integration measures have been successful in meeting their objectives. Integration
policies also require the will and commitment of migrants to be part of the
society that receives them.

The introduction of a new legal provision
in the Treaty concerning EU support to the promotion of integration of
third-country nationals[9]
residing legally in Member States (Article 79.4 TFEU) allows further concerted
action while excluding harmonisation. This action has to take into account the
fact that the demographic, social, economic and political context has changed.

Figures[10]
confirm that the most pressing challenges include:

· the prevailing low employment levels of migrants, especially for migrant women,

· rising unemployment and high levels of 'over-qualification',

· increasing risks of social exclusion,

· gaps in educational achievement,

· public concerns with the lack of integration of migrants.

The renewed European Agenda for the
Integration of Third-Country Nationals is a contribution to the debate on how
to understand and better support integration. A diversity of approaches is
called for, depending on the different integration challenges faced by various
types of migrants, both low and highly skilled, as well as beneficiaries of
international protection. Europe needs a positive attitude towards diversity
and strong guaranties for fundamental rights and equal treatment, building on
the mutual respect of different cultures and traditions. Actions targeting
especially vulnerable groups of migrants are also needed.

Building on experiences across the EU, this
Communication highlights European integration challenges. To address these
challenges, it suggests recommendations and areas for action. Together with the
accompanying Commission Staff Working Paper, it provides an overview of EU
initiatives to support the integration of third-country nationals. The EU can contribute to steering and guiding Member States' efforts via
different instruments. The European Agenda for Integration cannot be
implemented through European instruments alone. Integration is a dynamic,
long-term process requiring efforts by a
wide range of actors in different policy areas and at various levels. This is
the reason why the recommendations included in this Communication target all
actors involved in the integration process.

2.
MANAGING INTEGRATION IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

In the light
of the above, it is clear that integration policies should create favourable
conditions for migrants' economic, social, cultural and political participation to realise the potential of migration. Effective solutions to
integration challenges must be found in each national and local context but as
these challenges are common to many Member States, experiences could be shared.
Although it is not the prerogative of the EU to determine integration
strategies, the EU can provide a framework for monitoring, benchmarking and
exchange of good practice, and create incentives through the European financial
instruments. Examples of good practice and knowledge exchange are presented in
the accompanying Commission Staff Working Paper.

Integration is linked to a framework of
legislation and policy defined and coordinated at EU level[11]. Ensuring a legislative
framework for equal treatment and granting all migrants a proper level of
rights is part of EU action in support of integration. Integration priorities
should be fully taken into account in all relevant areas, so as to contribute
in a coherent way towards meeting integration challenges as well as other
political priorities.

Integration is an ever evolving process,
which requires close monitoring, constant efforts, innovative approaches and bold
ideas. The solutions are not easy to define but if migrants integrate
successfully in the EU, this will represent a significant contribution to the
achievement by the EU of the targets it has set in the Europe 2020 Strategy, namely to raise the employment rate to 75% by 2020, to reduce
school drop out rates to less than 10%, to increase the share of the population
having completed tertiary education and to lift 20 million people out of
poverty or social exclusion[12].

The proposed actions focus on the following
key areas:

A. Integration through participation.

B. More action at local level.

C. Involvement of countries of origin.

A. INTEGRATION THROUGH PARTICIPATION

Integration is a process that starts on the
ground and integration policies should be developed with a genuine 'bottom-up'
approach, close to the local level. Such policies
include actions such as support for language learning, introductory measures,
access to employment, education and vocational training and the fight against
discrimination, which all aim at increasing migrants' participation in society.

Integration requires the engagement by the
receiving society in accommodating the migrants, respecting their rights and
cultures and informing them about their obligations. At the same time, migrants
need to show the willingness to integrate and to respect rules and values of
the society in which they live.

1.           The
socio-economic contribution of migrants

1.1.        Acquiring
language knowledge

It is broadly agreed that the acquisition
of language skills is critical for integration. Enhanced language skills lead
to improved job opportunities, independence and migrant women participation in
the labour market.

Language training, as well as introduction
programmes, must be accessible both financially and geographically. It is
important to offer different levels of language courses based on participants’
knowledge and conditions for learning. It can be relevant to use the Common
European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which is a basis developed
by the Council of Europe for mutual recognition of language qualifications, when
determining language proficiency levels[13].

1.2.        Participation
in the labour market

In many Member States, there is a
considerable gap in employment levels between third-country nationals and EU
nationals. In 2010, the employment rate of third-country nationals aged 20-64
was ten percentage points lower than that of the total population in the same
age-group at the EU level[14].
In particular, employment rates of migrant women are substantially lower than
both the average employment rate and the employment rates of migrant men[15]. As participating in the
labour market is one of the best and most concrete ways to integrate in
society, efforts to reduce these gaps must target both labour migrants and
migrants who come to the EU in the context of family reunification or as
beneficiaries of international protection.

Over-qualification of third-country
nationals for their jobs, especially of women[16], is noticeable in all Member
States where data are available. Unemployed migrants or migrants employed in
positions for which they are overqualified are an underutilised resource and a
waste of human capital. In addtion, this situation can be perceived by the
migrants as degrading. Services should be
developed with the aim to enable the recognition of qualifications and
competences from the country of origin facilitating immigrants’ possibilities
to take up employment which matches their skills.

A first step
would be to enhance our tools for mapping of educational background, previous
work experience, comparability of diplomas and qualifications, and identifying
the possible need for training.

Secondly, transparency of information on
available jobs and the support of public employment services are also
important. The role of employers and social partners in promoting diversity and
combating discrimination is crucial. The important role of migrants as
entrepreneurs and their creativity and innovation capacity should also be
reinforced[17],
with the support of authorities with information on the conditions to set up
business.

Thirdly, introduction programmes should be
organised to support newly arrived migrants' entry into employment and other
vital arenas of the receiving societies. Introduction
measures can be framed in a contractual agreement to ensure commitment and
include obligations and rights on both sides.

1.3.        Efforts
in the education system

Most EU countries have a growing proportion
of students with a migrant background[18].
School systems need to adapt to the increasing diversity of the student body to
deliver high-quality education for all and to capitalise on the potential of
this diversity. In order to facilitate successful learning of the language, measures taken at an early age, starting
from the pre-school stage are beneficial.

The average educational level of
third-country nationals is below that of EU nationals[19]. Young people with a migrant
background are at greater risk of exiting the education and training system
without having obtained an upper secondary qualification. Additional efforts
are needed to prevent early school leaving among migrant youth[20].

Teachers and other staff should receive
training for managing diversity. The recruitment of migrants as teachers or in
the childcare workforce may also be useful both to encourage learning in
classes with a concentration of migrants and as a means of further opening
national education systems to other European and non-European cultures.
Language classes for parents in connection with their children's schooling guidance,
mentoring and tutoring are examples of useful actions. Schools in especially
disadvantaged areas with a high concentration of migrant youth could develop
specialised programmes, mentoring systems and access to training to have
competitive advantages.

1.4.        Ensuring
better living conditions

Social inclusion measures targeted at
migrants should aim to remove possible
barriers blocking effective access to social and health services, and fight
against poverty and exclusion of the most vulnerable[21]. The integration of beneficiaries of international protection
requires particular attention. They have often had traumatic experiences, which
require specific social and psychological care. Policies should, therefore, be
designed to minimise isolation of beneficiaries of international protection and
restrictions to their rights, and provide for effective language learning,
access to accommodation, access to health care in
health systems that promote integration and culturally adapted health promotion
programmes. Access to vocational training and assistance in seeking employment
should also be targeted.

The situation of Roma third-country
nationals legally residing in the EU deserves particular attention.

1.5.        Better
use of EU funding

A better use of existing EU instruments should
therefore support migrants' participation and the implementation of bottom-up
integration policies. The European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country
Nationals and the European Refugee Fund support measures such as reception and
introductory schemes, participation in social and civic life and equal access
to services. They are complemented by measures to facilitate access to and
integration into the labour market funded under the European Social Fund, and
the European Regional Development Fund can support a large range of integration
measures in the context of regional development.

Recommendations

Member
States should ensure:

·
the provision of language courses, reflecting
migrants varying needs at different stages of their integration process;

·
the organisation of introductory programmes for
newly arrived migrants, including language and civic orientation courses. These
programmes should address the specific needs of migrant
women in order to promote their participation in the labour market and
strengthen their economic independence;

·
measures to map and assess the individual's
needs and to validate qualifications and professional experiences;

·
increasing labour market participation of
migrants through active labour market policies;

·
efforts in education systems equipping
teachers and school leaders with the skills for managing diversity; recruiting
teachers from migrant backgrounds; and participation of migrant children in
early childhood education; and

·
special attention to specific needs of
vulnerable groups of migrants.

The
Commission should support:

·
the exchange of practice and policy
coordination in the areas of employment, education and social policies; and

·
a better use of existing EU financial
instruments to support migrants' participation.

2.           Rights and obligations – achieving equal treatment and
a sense of belonging

The respect of universal values and
fundamental human rights is enshrined in the Treaty. Efforts to fight against
discrimination and to give migrants instruments to become acquainted with the
fundamental values of the EU and its Member States should be strengthened.

Migrants' participation in the democratic
process is important for their integration. Obstacles to migrants' political
participation in terms of legislative and structural barriers must be overcome
to the greatest extent possible. The involvement of migrant representatives, including women, in the drawing
up and implementation of integration policies and programmes should be
enhanced.

Outreach programmes and work placements can
help to build capacity within migrant organisations and encourage and support
the participation of these organisations at the local level, such as school
boards, housing administration etc.

Measures to enhance democratic
participation could include training and mentors, granting migrants access to
voting rights in local elections, creating local, regional and national
consultative bodies, encouraging entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation[22].

Recommendations

Member States
should ensure:

·
measures to implement in practice the
principle of equal treatment and to prevent institutional as well as every-day
discrimination; and

·
efforts to remove obstacles to migrants'
political participation. The involvement of
migrant representatives in the drawing up of and implementation of
integration policies and programmes should be further enhanced.

The
Commission should ensure:

·
the full and
correct implementation of existing directives on non-discrimination and in the
area of legal migration.

B. MORE ACTION AT LOCAL LEVEL

Integration policies should be formulated
and implemented with the active involvement of local authorities. Local
authorities are responsible for a wide range of services and activities and they play an important role in shaping the interaction
between migrants and the receiving society.

1.           Addressing
especially disadvantaged urban areas

Many migrants
settle in urban areas and face particular integration challenges there.
Integration policies must specifically address the challenges of deprived
neighbourhoods in order to allow urban areas to stimulate economic and cultural
activity and contribute to social cohesion. Contracts
or other agreements between national, regional and local authorities have been
successfully developed in several Member States to support urban development.
Involving representatives of local organisations and inhabitants in such
agreements is fundamental. Effective integration also requires supportive
measures to ensure social infrastructures and urban regeneration, based on an
integrated approach in order to avoid segregation.

2.           Improvement
of multi-level cooperation

Even if
integration measures are mainly for local authorities, close cooperation
between the different levels of governance is important to coordinate the
provision, financing and evaluation of services. Effective integration can only
be realised in partnership between the whole range of stakeholders such as the
European institutions, Member States and national, regional and local actors.
The EU can provide a framework for monitoring, benchmarking and for the
exchange of good practice among the various governance levels, as well as
creating incentives promoting good local and regional models.

'Territorial pacts' between relevant stakeholders
at different levels should provide all participants the necessary flexibility
of means to achieve certain policy goals, while providing the possibility to
streamline policy instruments and funding channels and procedures. In this
regard, the Committee of the Regions could have a role to play.

Examples:

The INTI-Cities project was built to assess
local integration policies, practices and governance arrangements based on a
benchmark and was successfully tested in the municipalities of Helsinki, Rotterdam,
Malmö, Düsseldorf, Genoa and Lyon. Moreover, the DIVE project was
developed to evaluate how municipalities use diversity and equality principles
when acting as employers, buyers of goods and services, policy-makers and
service-providers. The DIVE benchmark was applied on the ground in Amsterdam,
Leeds, Berlin and Rome. Cities participating in DIVE committed to a Charter on
Integrating Cities[23].

The Region of Valencia has a legal
framework providing for the active cooperation between a range of actors for
the integration of newcomers. In addition, a 'Pact for Immigration' has been
signed between the regional government, trade unions and the employers'
association to manage diversity in the workplace and encourage the active
participation of migrant workers, and a 'Local Pact for Integration' brings
together public authorities from the local, provincial and regional level to
boost cooperation and ensure coherence of the actions developed in different
areas to support integration.

3.           EU financial support to
local action

The European Fund for the Integration of
third-country nationals has proven valuable in supporting Member States'
efforts to enable third-country nationals to fulfil the conditions of residence
and to facilitate their integration[24].
For the next multiannual financial framework, the Commission proposes to
simplify the structure of the expenditure instruments by reducing the number of
programmes to a two pillar structure, including a Migration and Asylum Fund[25]. One component will be actions
supporting the integration of third-country nationals. The funding will also have
an external dimension covering action in both the EU and third countries.

The focus of future EU funding on
integration should be on a local, more targeted approach, in support of
consistent strategies specifically designed to promote integration at local
level. These strategies would be implemented mainly by local or regional
authorities and non-state actors taking into account their particular
situation. Results would be measured in terms of their contribution to the
overall objective of enhanced participation, on the basis of 1) an increased
employment rate; 2) a higher level of education; 3) better social inclusion;
and 4) active citizenship.

Recommendations

Member
States should ensure:

·
comprehensive integration strategies designed
and implemented with the effective involvement of all local and regional
stakeholders with a 'bottom-up' approach.

Actors at all levels of governance should
support:

·
'Territorial pacts', as a framework
for cooperation between relevant stakeholders at different levels, to be
developed for designing and implementing integration policies.

The
Commission should support:

·
the involvement of local and regional actors
in the definition of integration policies within the framework of EU
programmes, through a strategic partnership with the Committee of the Regions
and European networks of cities and regions; and

·
a higher degree of coordinated programming of
existing EU financial instruments to target
local action. This should be done through the use of the European Fund
for the Integration of third-country nationals, the European Refugee Fund, the
European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.

C. INVOLVEMENT
OF COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN

Countries of origin can have a role to play
in support of the integration process in three ways: 1) to prepare the
integration already before the migrants' departure; 2) to support the migrants
while in the EU, e.g. through support via the Embassies; 3) to prepare the migrant's
temporary or definitive return with acquired experience and knowledge.

1.           Pre-departure
measures in support of integration

Countries of origin could help migrants
with pre-departure information for example on the required visas and work
permits but also with language tuition or by offering vocational training to
reinforce their skills. To this end, support to third countries on
pre-departure measures should be given and also to improving methods for the
recognition of migrants' qualifications and skills.

To assist people who want to migrate to the
EU to access the necessary information on the application procedures, the
Commission will launch the 'EU Immigration Portal' later this year.

2.           Beneficial
contacts between diaspora communities and their countries of origin

Remittances as well as the transfer of
skills, innovation and knowledge may favour sustainable investments and the
development of the countries of origin.

The promotion of transnational
entrepreneurship through a more dynamic strategy will favour entrepreneurs
operating in both EU Member States and in partner countries. Such enterprises can create employment in the countries
of origin and bring benefits both in terms of integration of migrants and
increased trade between countries.

3.           Circular
migration and development in countries of origin

Temporary and circular migrants should be
supported by a rights-based framework that can ensure a clear legal status and
facilitate mobility. Mobility partnerships with partner countries could be a
suitable framework for promoting initiatives on integration in EU Member States
that also benefit the countries of origin. Positive political messages from
both sides could help creating a more favourable environment for integration
but also for temporary and circular migration.

Recommendations

Member
States and countries of origin should ensure:

·
pre-departure support to migrants in order to
facilitate integration to be part of the dialogue and cooperation frameworks
between the EU and partner countries. A key element in this regard is to
improve methods for recognition of the migrant's qualifications and skills.

3.
THE WAY FORWARD

Managing integration is crucial for realising
the full potential of migration, both for the migrants and the EU. Effective
integration policies are fundamental to reconcile
economic growth with social cohesion and to deal with increasingly diverse
European societies. This
process requires a structured and informed debate. Coherent strategies are
needed in order to achieve better participation of migrants in the societies in
which they live.

3.1.
Enhanced cooperation, consultation and
coordination

Integration
challenges will need to be met in partnership between national governments,
regional and local authorities, while ensuring dialogue with relevant
stakeholders at all levels of governance. Stronger cooperation with the
countries of origin is also needed. The approach of a 'three-way process'
between migrants, receiving societies and countries of origin could be
strengthened. The EU should provide the necessary support to this process.

The Commission plays an important role in
bringing together relevant actors in dialogue on the main integration
challenges. Exchange of knowledge and good practice between Member States takes
place in the network of National Contact Points on Integration, which could be
further developed through targeted meetings and benchmarking exercises. Coordination and monitoring of policy
developments within existing policy frameworks among the EU institutions, and
in close cooperation with the Member States, can contribute to more efficient
and effective integration policies.

Civil society
representatives from Member States and EU level meet in the European
Integration Forum set up by the Commission in cooperation with the European
Economic and Social Committee. Consultative processes should be further
strengthened with strategic meetings, for example with the Committee of the
Regions and cities' associations. The Forum could be supported by national,
regional or local forums. The European Web Site on Integration gathers
important information from various categories of stakeholders and it provides
an interactive tool for exchanging information to be further developed through
on-line profiles.

3.2.
Developing a flexible European toolbox

In order to
reinforce coordination and knowledge exchange, a flexible European toolbox is
being developed, allowing authorities in Member States to choose the measures
which are most likely to prove effective in their context. So-called 'European modules' are being designed to support policies
and practices. The modules build on the experiences of Member States and other
actors and they can be adapted according to the needs of individual Member
States, regions and cities[26].
The modules would constitute a European reference framework for the design and
implementation of integration practices in Member States. They are developed
in three thematic areas: 1) introductory and language courses; 2)
strong commitment by the receiving society; and 3) active participation of
migrants in all aspects of collective life.

3.3.
Monitoring of results

Migration and integration policies rely
heavily on high quality statistics for policy formulation and monitoring of
results. The EU institutions and the Member States should work together to
develop a framework for mainstreaming migration statistics and to improve the
capacity to collect and publish statistics on migrants and their socio-economic
situation.

Common European 'indicators' have been
identified in four areas of relevance for integration: employment, education,
social inclusion and active citizenship[27].
They will be used to monitor results of integration policies, with the aim of
increasing comparability and enhancing the European learning process. Common
indicators will make it possible to assess the efforts in support of
integration in relation to European targets in the areas of employment,
education and social inclusion and, thereby, to enhance coordination of
national and EU policies. The Commission will monitor developments and
formulate recommendations, in dialogue with Member States.

Recommendations

The Commission should support:

·
the further use
and coordination of European platforms for consultation and knowledge exchange
(including the National Contact Points on Integration, the European Integration
Forum and the European Web Site on Integration), to enhance their input in
policy decision-making, monitoring and coordination of policies;

·
the further
development of a flexible tool-box, including 'European modules', to support
national and local policies and practices. It will be implemented, in strategic
alliance with the Committee of the Regions, by national, regional and local
authorities and civil society; and

·
common European
'indicators' in the areas of employment, education, social inclusion and active
citizenship to monitor results of integration policies and which should serve
as a basis for systematic follow-up.

[1]               A breakdown of the population by citizenship in 2010 showed
that there were 32.4 million foreigners living in the EU-27 Member States (6.5%
of the total population). Of those, 12.3 million were EU-27 nationals living in
another Member State and 20.1 million were citizens from a non-EU-27 country
(4% of the total population), http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/population/introduction.

[2]               The increase in the total population of the EU in
recent years was mainly due to net immigration. At the same time, the Union has
witnessed a downward trend in immigration over the last few years, Eurostat,
Statistics in focus, 1/2011, http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-SF-11-001/EN/KS-SF-11-001-EN.PDF.

[3]               Conclusions of the European Council, 25/26 March
2010, EUCO 7/10, CO EUR 4, CONCL 1.

[4]               The Stockholm
Programme - An open and secure Europe serving and protecting citizens, OJ
2010/C 115/01.

[5]               The Annual Growth Survey 2011, which brings together
different actions which are essential for the EU to move towards its Europe 2020 objectives, has shown the need
for urgent reforms to promote skills and to create incentives to work both for
the national and migrant population, COM(2011) 11 final, Annex 2, Macro
economic report.

[6]               Conclusions of the Council and the Representatives of
the Governments of the Member States on Integration as a Driver for Development
and Social Cohesion, Council document 9248/10.

[7]               Council document 14615/04, 19.11.2004.

[8]               COM(2005) 389 final; SEC(2010) 357 final.

[9]               Third-country nationals are referred to as migrants
coming from countries outside the EU and not holding the citizenship of an EU
country. This group includes both persons born in a country outside the EU and
persons born in the EU but not holding the citizenship of a Member State.

[10]             See the accompanying Commission Staff Working Paper.

[11]             An overview of recent EU initiatives supporting the
integration of third-country nationals is presented in the accompanying
Commission Staff Working Paper.

[12]             Conclusions of the European Council, 25/26 March 2010,
EUCO 7/10, CO EUR 4, CONCL 1.

[13]             See CEFR, http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/cadre_en.asp.

[14]             In 2010, the average employment rate of the total
population aged 20-64 was 68.6% (compared to 69.1% in 2009) and that of
third-country nationals aged 20-64 was 58.5% (compared to 59.1% in 2009).

[15]             At the prime-working age, 25-54, the employment rate of
female third-country nationals in 2010 was almost 20 percentage points lower
than the average employment rate of all women in that age group. Eurostat, EU
Labour Force Survey, quarterly data on employment rates by sex, age groups and
nationality – comparison of employment rates for nationals and citizens of
countries outside the EU-27:

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/employment_unemployment_lfs/data/database.

[16]             Ethnic minority and Roma women in Europe: A case for
gender equality? Synthesis report prepared for the European Commission 2009.

[17]             Recent statistics provided by the Chamber of Commerce
of the Region Lombardy show that 60% of the new enterprises created in the
region are founded by migrants, www.lom.camcom.it.

[18]             Progress Report, SEC(2011) 526. Across the EU, the
share of non-nationals in the age group 6-17 is 5.7%, respectively 7.9% in the
age group 18-24. In Germany and Austria over 9% of children aged 6-17 are
non-nationals, in Spain and Ireland over 11%, while in Luxembourg over 45% are
non-nationals.

[19]             The EU Labour Force
Survey shows that migrants are significantly under-represented at the medium
educational level and over-represented to a much greater extent at the lowest
educational level. At the same time, the overqualification rate of
third-country nationals was 45% in 2009 compared to 29% for EU citizens, http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/employment_unemployment_lfs/data/database.

[20]             COM(2010) 296; COM(2011) 18.

[21]             COM(2010) 758.

[22]             Summary report of the fourth meeting of the European
Integration Forum, 6-7 December 2010, http://ec.europa.eu/ewsi/UDRW/images/items/static_38_812142537.pdf.

[23]             See the Integrating Cities website, http://www.integratingcities.eu.

[24]             Council Decision of 25 June 2007 establishing the
European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals for the period
2007 to 2013 as part of the General programme Solidarity and Management of
Migration Flows (2007/435/EC). An amount of 825 Million Euro is available for
the whole period.

[25]             COM(2011) 500 final.

[26]             The modules are a natural evolution of the 'Handbook on
Integration for policy-makers and practitioners', (the 3rd edition of the
Handbook is available on the European Web Site on Integration: http://ec.europa.eu/ewsi/en/resources/detail.cfm?ID_ITEMS=12892).

[27]             Conclusions of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of
3-4 June 2010, Council document 9248/10; Eurostat Methodologies and Working
Papers, Indicators of Immigrant Integration - A Pilot Study,      
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/product_details/publication?p_product_code=KS-SF-11-030.