The project aimed to address housing shortages and promote integration, creating opportunities for newcomers to build independent, self-reliant lives in their new communities. It also worked to promote closer collaboration across EU Member States, by sharing best practices in community sponsorship and private housing.
Who benefits
Refugees and beneficiaries of international protection, as well as local communities, NGOs, and authorities, who received tools and support to help newcomers with integration.
How it works
Prospective participants first requested support through the project’s website or by contacting the project team. After registration, they were matched with a community sponsor who helped them to find housing and supported them in their integration into local society. People who wanted to volunteer could also register on the website, as community sponsors, and after completing a short application form were offered training from the project team. Once training was complete, volunteers were matched with a refugee or family and committed their support for several months.
As well as sharing best practices in community sponsorship and private housing, the project developed practical toolkits for organisations, government entities, local residents and migrants to promote integration and other support initiatives.
- Project duration
- 1 Apr 2025 - 31 Mar 2026
- Project locations
- Lithuania
- Project website
- RISE Project webpage
- Migration status
- Newcomers
- Topic
- EU funding
Results
The project, which ran from April 2025 - March 2026, connected over 20 newcomers with local volunteers. 4 cultural activities took place and the project was promoted via 1 social campaign, 1 radio promotion and 4 visits to different cities across Lithuania.
Evaluation
Interim evaluation of the RISE project suggested that community sponsorship can positively support refugee integration by helping newcomers build social networks and access housing and services. Results show that cooperation between local communities, NGOs, and authorities improves refugees’ social inclusion. An external evaluation of the project has not yet been published.
Funding and resources
The RISE project was funded by the European Union through the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (2021-2027) and was implemented in Lithuania by IOM, in cooperation with the Reception and Integration Agency.