Integration
Integration policy covers areas concerning equal rights, obligations and opportunities of all, irrespective of ethnic and cultural background. It also includes newly arrived immigrants´ establishment in society, compensation to municipalities for refugee reception, the promotion of integration and Swedish citizenship. Starting in 2009, urban development will also be included in integration policy.
Integration issues touch on many different policy areas, and initiatives are being taken in, for example, labour market and educational policy as well as anti-discrimination policy. The policy is primarily directed at general measures that reduce exclusion in society. Measures targeted at immigrants as a group are only to be taken during a limited time after arrival in Sweden. In a communication entitled "Empowerment against exclusion - the Government´s strategy for integration", the Government presents its ideas on the direction, strategy and concrete initiatives for seven strategic areas for integration.
Refugee reception organisation
Since 1 July 2007, one of the tasks of the Swedish Migration Board and the county administrative boards has been to act to ensure that there is a preparedness and a capacity to receive refugees in municipalities. The county administrative boards negotiate with the municipalities on refugee reception, primarily in municipalities that have an adequate labour market, or where there are opportunities for people to make a living within commuting distance.
The Swedish Migration Board, the county administrative boards and the Swedish Public Employment Service have established a special cooperation delegation to enable more effective cooperation on refugee reception. The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions is taking part in this work.
Compensation to municipalities for refugee reception
Municipalities that have signed an agreement on refugee reception receive basic compensation from the state. They also receive a government grant per refugee received, (standard allowance), to cover the costs of refugee reception.
The establishment of newly arrived immigrants in society
The municipalities are responsible for assisting newly arrived refugees in getting established in society. Newly arrived immigrants are offered introductory programmes that include tuition in Swedish for immigrants (SFI), and contacts with the labour market, schools and childcare services. The objective is that they learn Swedish as soon as possible and can support themselves. An inquiry entitled "Individual responsibility - with professional support" (SOU 2008:58) has presented proposals on reforms in the management, responsibility, organisation and financing of refugee reception. The Government plans to present proposals in this area to the Riksdag in the spring of 2009.
Reforms to increase immigrant participation in the labour market
Several reforms have been implemented to increase immigrant participation in the labour market. This mainly applies to step-in jobs and new start jobs, the job and development guarantee and the job guarantee for young people. Initiatives are also being taken to provide continuing professional development for SFI teachers, to improve professional assessment and validation of foreign qualifications and to provide supplementary higher education.
Urban development
Work on urban development aims at finding effective methods for overcoming exclusion in urban areas where there is high unemployment, a lack of security and ill health. The Government is in the process of signing local development agreements for over thirty urban areas with some twenty municipalities.
