Italy. 2021-2023. Beneficiaries: 90 people.

This project involved a path of action designed to assist and promote the social and professional inclusion of 90 Afghan refugees who arrived in Italy in August 2021, as part of Operation Red Handkerchief (Fazzoletto Rosso), which rescued 400 Afghans and was organised by NOVE in collaboration with the Italian Government.

Beyond Reception enhances the public and socio-legal assistance services provided by state-reception facilities by offering supplementary activities. Having identified the specific needs and skills of refugees, the programme activates local support networks, enhancing their educational and socio-occupational inclusion. It also helps enhance their individual capacities through ad hoc pathways developed in partnership with Italian universities and professional institutes. It additionally offers psychological support to the most vulnerable. 

Achievements as of February 2023: 64.4% of those eligible for employment are involved in vocational or university studies, vocational traineeships, or already have a formal job. 37.8% are specifically already on paths towards economic independence and social integration. In particular, NOVE has:

• set up 12 work contracts;    
• set up 5 traineeships;
• set up 9 university courses;
•  offered Italian courses to 88% of the beneficiaries;
• seen 99% of the beneficiaries get a positive response from the Asylum Committee and be granted refugee status.