Spain's Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration is expanding refugee integration efforts through strategic corporate partnerships and sector-specific training programs. Companies such as COBRA Group and INECO are actively recruiting refugees, particularly in the construction and renewable energy sectors. The COBRA Group has trained and hired refugees for photovoltaic plant construction in Cáceres, providing occupational risk prevention training and temporary accommodation support. This initiative is now being expanded to Valladolid. Meanwhile, INECO, a key player in Spain’s infrastructure and engineering sector, conducted 282 job interviews, primarily targeting refugees with technical and engineering backgrounds, highlighting the sector’s potential for skilled workforce integration.
Beyond construction, the Ministry’s broader employment programs include job fairs, mentoring initiatives, and partnerships with multinationals such as Amazon, IKEA, and Cisco Systems. A recent job fair in Madrid, co-organized with the TENT Foundation, facilitated employment for 100 refugees, while the Mentoring Programme for Refugee Women, in collaboration with UNHCR, is supporting skills development and career transitions. These initiatives are helping address Spain’s labour shortages, particularly in construction and green energy, while fostering long-term economic and social integration for refugees.
The Accommodation Recognition Payment is a government initiative designed to acknowledge the generosity of individuals who have opened their homes to host people arriving in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. This payment offers €800 per property where at least one person is being hosted. A maximum of 15 properties can be added to a single application.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for this payment, you must:
Application Process:
Applications can be submitted online through the MyWelfare portal. A basic or verified MyGovID account is required to apply. Detailed information and the application form are available on the MyWelfare website.
For further assistance or inquiries, you can contact the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection through the contact details provided on their official website.
Website: www.mywelfare.ie
Tent was launched in 2016 by Hamdi Ulukaya, the CEO and founder of multibillion dollar food company Chobani. The organization mobilizes businesses to connect refugees to work; one of the most important milestones for a refugee to successfully integrate in their new communities. It supports and advises member companies through a variety of services including tailored guidance, access to a library of ‘how to’ resources and best practices, training for HR teams, connections to best-in-class local NGOs, and more. Tent’s members span a variety of industries – from retail and consumer goods to hospitality and financial services – and include major businesses such as Amazon, L’Oréal, ManpowerGroup, and Pfizer.
Website: https://www.tent.org/