Migrant and Refugee Women's Socioeconomic Integration through Craftswomenship in Europe

Five Sciences Po Master's students have co-authored a report that identifies ways to unlock opportunities for migrant and refugee women's socioeconomic integration through craftswomenship in Europe.

Thanks to the financial support of the global platform Women Forward International and under the watchful eye of the non-profit Nest, Isabella Brandes, Eva Korn, Qin Miao, Sreya Nath and Martina Sole deliver an important report shedding light on the situation of migrant and refugee women with artisanal skillsets or who seek employment in and engagement with the creative manufacturing and handmade or craft sector.

The project was conducted through desk research and field investigations conducted in France, Italy, Greece, and the United Kingdom. This report includes the resulting reviews of the legal frameworks, social attitudes towards migration, perspectives on the arts and crafts sector, and a gender-informed analysis for each country. This is complemented by case studies highlighting relevant organisations and the migrants and refugees they serve to understand the development of migrant-led crafts(wo)manship in Europe, and how this work influences migrant and refugee women’s integration into European communities.

"We hope that the research conducted in this project can inform future policy and decision-making for organisations and government agencies charged with supporting artisans, migrants, refugees, and women," says student team.

Their key policy recommendations are:

• Including the interdimensional background of migrants and refugees (including but not limited to gender, religion, country of origin, language spoken) in all policy-making and project design plans and in so doing, adressing discrimination issues
• Building and investing in the capacity of existing organisations supporting migrants and refugees
• Adopting a gender lens that incorporates provisions for migrant and refugee women's unique needs
• Recognising and rewarding the acquisition of artisan skills and ensuring fair remuneration for handmade and artisan goods

>> Read the Full Report: Craftswomanship. Enhancing the social and economic inclusion of migrant and refugee women in Europe (PDF, 2 Mo) <<

"In recent years, from the Syrian crisis to the Russian invasion on Ukraine, countless people – men, women, boys, girls, and infants – have lost their homes and became refugees. We dedicate this project to them and hope our project research and policy recommendations will contribute to future positive policy change," adds the student team.

More

• Women Forward International is a global nonprofit that partners the next generation with nonprofit and private sector organisations and artists to implement solutions critical to human progress, bridging mind and heart to bring about unity, collaboration, and service to humanity.
• Nest is a nonprofit supporting the responsible growth and creative engagement of the artisan and maker economy to build a world of greater gender equity and economic inclusion.
• Previous Action Research Projects led by Sciences Po students thanks to Women Forward International