Refugee families after recognition

When refugee families finally receive recognition and leave the refugee centre, they must build a new life in Belgium. This proves far more complex than finding a house, enrolling their children in school, or starting a civic integration course. Reception policies are fragmented across different levels and domains. They show numerous gaps and discrepancies that obstruct and delay the inclusion process of recognised refugees.

In this book, we highlight the experiences of the refugee families themselves. How do they cope with the opportunities and obstacles to build a new life in Belgium? How do social workers and volunteers experience the fragmented and often contradictory policies that refugees are confronted with? What happens when policies raise barriers that restrict refugees’ social inclusion?

This book is the result of an ambitious REFUFAM project, in which researchers of the Belgian universities of Ghent (UGent), Leuven (KU Leuven), Louvain (Université Catholique de Louvain) and the Odisee College enter into dialogue with recognised refugees, social workers and local policymakers. It offers a unique insight into the workings of the complex integration policies in Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. And especially how it could be done better.