Applying co-design with migrants and other stakeholders in developing local integration strategies

Oulu saw an unprecedented increase in its refugee and migrant population following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite having a well-established migrant integration strategy, the city recognised the need to enhance civil society engagement, especially in enabling meaningful dialogues and preventing polarisation. Oulu decided to learn from Fuenlabrada’s experience in building a cross-sectoral, society-wide approach to migrant and refugee integration. This would help Oulu facilitate migrant-led local development, and update its own integration strategies.