COMMUNITY MENTORING AND PEER-TO-PEER PROGRAMMES
Community mentoring is a form of support in which young refugees are matched with peer mentors from the majority society. These "buddies" help with social orientation, daily tasks, language and provide natural social contact. The support is two-way - the mentor also gains new perspectives and experiences.
Best practices

Integration Buddies - Berlin/Germany (Berlin Welcome Program)
The program is run under the auspices of the Berlin Integration Office. The young volunteers spend time with refugees in the form of friendly accompaniment - joint visits to the city, help with paperwork, cultural events.
https://buddysystem.eu/en/

The "Buddies" programme - META, o.p.s./Czech Republic
Young volunteers help young migrants with adaptation in school and leisure time. The programme runs in Prague and connects schools, the non-profit sector and community centres.
Training of mentors (intercultural sensitivity, crisis intervention, basic rights).
Joint activities with clear structure and possibility of informal contact.
https://meta-ops.eu/

Art and cultural projects offer a safe space for self-expression and sharing stories. Young people can participate in plays, exhibitions, musical performances or community mural projects. Equal access and active involvement of all participants is important.
Best practices

URSUS Environmental Centre - Dolní Lomná/Czech Republic
A natural and cultural centre that organises inclusive natural science events aimed at learning about the beauty, habitats, animals and plants of the Beskydy Mountains (festivals, workshops, accompanying programmes) and cultural events aimed at learning about the traditions and customs of the Beskydy mountain people. Many volunteers from EU and non-EU nationalities participate in the events.
www.ursuscentrum.cz

Refugee Radio Network - Hamburg/Germany
Radio run by migrants and refugees who share their stories, music and commentary. Great combination of cultural production and empowerment.
https://www.refugeeradionetwork.net/

Archa Theatre - "Sharing a Dream" project /Czech Republic
Involving refugees and migrants as co-creators in a professional theatre performance. The aim was to share experiences through art.
Multicultural Festival RefuFest/Czech Republic
An annual festival in Prague where migrant and refugee artists present their culture to the public.
https://refufest.com/

Recommendations for implementation
Establishing cooperation with artists or cultural institutions.
Use a participatory approach - young people themselves decide on the form of the output.

Joint community events such as neighbourhood festivals, intercultural picnics or public discussions are an effective way to bring different groups of residents together. When young refugees are involved in the preparation, it strengthens their sense of belonging and active citizenship.

Best practices
"Open Day" - Centre for Integration of Foreigners/Czech Republic
Events that connect local people with migrants, for example through food tastings, workshops or cultural programmes.
https://www.cizincijmk.cz/cs/

Intercultural City Picnic - Turku/Finland
A public festival organised by the city council in cooperation with migrants, NGOs and schools. A space for networking, cultural exchange and entertainment was created.
https://www.coe.int/it/web/interculturalcities/turku
https://careerinsouthwestfinland.fi/international-family-picnic/

Cultural Cafés InBase/Czech Republic
Open evenings with refugees and migrants, discussions, film screenings, musical performances. Allow for natural intercultural dialogue.
https://inbaze.cz/
Recommendations for implementation
Involve young people as co-organisers, not just participants.
Use community spaces and public places with low access barriers.

Traditional language teaching can be complemented by interactive, community-based formats - for example, conversation clubs, language cafés or thematic workshops. The emphasis is on practical communication, informal settings and community networking.
Best practices

Language Café - Helsinki/Finland
Volunteers and participants from different countries meet in cafés and libraries for conversations in Finnish. Lessons take the form of free dialogue, often with game elements.
https://www.lfi.fi/events/language-cafe/

Infinity Centre - Language and Education Centre Dolní Lomná/Czech Republic
Combination of English and Czech language teaching in connection with the natural, cultural and historical heritage of Teschen Silesia and the Beskydy Mountains, which belong to the Carpathian system. Lessons are conducted in the form of workshops - cooking, DIY, making decorations for important events, and/or study excursions - exploring specific habitats, towns, remote areas, history of the town.
www.infinitycentrum.cz

InBase Conversation Clubs (CR): Open language groups led by volunteers, focusing on everyday vocabulary.
Recommendations for implementation
Link language to concrete activities - cooking, trips, workshops.
Encourage the involvement of local volunteers as language "partners".

Empowering young people - including those with refugee backgrounds - to actively participate in decision-making processes, project planning and community strategy development. This strengthens their competences, increases their motivation and brings new perspectives.
Best practices

Youth Participation Projects - SALTO-Youth/European Union
Supports young people from marginalised groups to actively participate in public life. For example, through youth councils or participatory budgeting.
https://www.salto-youth.net/
https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/participation/ypstrategy/
Young Migrant Voices Programme/UK
Young migrants and refugees design their own community campaigns on inclusion, the environment or education.
https://www.migrantvoice.org/

Recommendations for implementation
Create space for regular meetings of a youth council or working group.
Provide support for the implementation of their own ideas (mini-grants, mentoring).