Civic Participation
Civic participation is very important for refugees’ and migrants’ sense of belonging in society. Civic participation is also very important for peaceful co-existence, social inclusion and diversity in society.
The Migrant and Refugee Integration Councils
The Migrant Integration Councils conduct activities that enable civic participation. Within each municipality, by decision of the Municipality Council, operates a Migrant and Refugee Integration Council (MRIC – ΣΕΜΠ) which serves as a counseling body on migration and refugee issues and supports the integration of third-country nationals in the local community.
M.R.I.C.'s role involves the following responsibilities:
- Identification and examination of the integration issues and problems that refugees and migrants face in the specific municipality area.
- Collaboration with public authorities or municipality authorities.
- Submission of integration-related proposals to the Municipality Council.
- Resolution of problems that migrants face, especially using the counseling services offered in municipalities.
- Organization of events in collaboration with the municipality to help raise awareness and enhance social cohesion in local communities.
The Migrant and Refugee Integration Councils consist of eleven (11) members who are appointed by the Municipality Council.
Members are: municipality counselors, representatives of organizations for migrant and refugee issues and refugees who are permanent residents of the specific municipality.
The operation and purpose of M.R.I.C. were first established by article 78 of law 3852/2010.
With article 79 of law 4555/2018, the framework of their operation and procedures was re-evaluated and M.R.I.C. now also include refugees.
Έκθεση Σ.Ε.Μ.Π. 2022
