ASOCIACION CULTURAL INTEGRA

description of organisation

Integra's work primarily consists in the development of mobility and research projects, as well as in the transfer and exchange of good practice (targeting groups at risk of exclusion, eg. Unemployed young people, women and the immigrant community).
It was founded in 2004 in A Coruña as an initiative of young people interested in the field of social inclusion and European cooperation. Among others, these are some of our final goals:
- To support young people with fewer opportunities to improve their knowledge of European labour system.
- To boosts the intercultural dialogue and to organize intercultural activities for youth.
- To help young people in their learning process and to assist them in finding work experience.
- To promote environmental sustainability and to develop environmental protection actions
- To foster the exchange of good practices relating to social inclusion of migrants.

Integra believes that personal and social development doesn’t happen without knowing and organizing other social and cultural realities present in the countries of the European Union.

Integra’s objectives are to improve the knowledge of the European Union and the instruments that are available to the youngest, thereby promoting greater understanding and social cohesion. We also aim to increase mobility between countries, to promote international cooperation, mutual cultural enrichment and foster volunteering. We see volunteering as an intercultural activity based on solidarity and equality.

To achieve these objectives, Integra has worked and continues working through different mobility programs such as Erasmus+, Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program, Grundtvig and other international projects and the social project "Lernen und Arbeiten in Europe" of the German Federal Republic.

In particular, Integra promotes international mobility intended for young people and adults – mainly for apprentices, unemployed persons and union members – in order to help individuals and organizations become more successful in global markets through the acquisition of foreign language proficiency, intercultural awareness and improvement of vocational qualifications.

Therefore, intercultural learning is one of our points of interest. That means Integra supports and promotes social inclusion of immigrants and refugees and, on the other hand, it fosters intercultural communication and awareness among local people.

Asociación Cultural Integra cooperates at a local, regional and national level with adult education centres and trade unions, schools, enterprises, public entities and diverse partner organizations in the field of education and vocational training. The partnership recognizes the social value of the transnational mobility and guarantees a positive local outcome.

Therefore, we have a strong network of partners with extensive experience implementing successful educational and employment programs at European level.

Integra also provides administrative / logistics support for the management of the work-placements (certifications, learning agreements, VET training sessions, etc), including help in finding accommodation and an adequate language training in the city. Also, we support other NGOs and associations that wish to submit a European project in the mobility, youth and culture field.

The second main activity is the promotion of intercultural learning and the social inclusion of migrants and refugees.