This interagency initiative was established in December 2005 with its main objective being the provision of information, support and involvement of the immigrant community. A key element of the programme is to ensure a holistic and inclusive response, in consultation with immigrants, to the needs of immigrants in the Inishowen area. The Steering Group is made up of representatives from DSFA, VEC, FAS, CIC, the Library, HSE, Inishowen Development Partnership and Job Club, Scoil Iosagain, An Garda Siochána as well as importantly representatives of our Immigrant Communities living in Inishowen from Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary and Poland.

• To support the integration of immigrants through consultation and planning with the immigrant community. A rights based approach will be central to this work.
• To bring together the main agencies in the Inishowen peninsula to ensure a holistic and appropriate response to the needs of immigrants and to do this work in consultation with the immigrant community
• To raise awareness in the wider community of the needs, aspirations, challenges and barriers facing the immigrant community and accelerate relationship building between immigrants and the indigenous population

• To encourage integration and cultural awareness and allow opportunities for getting to know each other.
• To provide opportunities for immigrant families to integrate into Irish economic, cultural and social life

• To facilitate the effective networking of agencies providing services with appropriate mechanisms which encourage the active participation of immigrants in the design of appropriate policies.

• To increase the abilities of immigrants in our community to actively and fully participate in community activities thus promoting interculturalism and integration.

• To provide a progression framework and examine education and training opportunities that assist immigrants to gain access to employment or facilitate the progression from low skill or low paid positions

• To offer outreach services that support the participation of particularly isolated and vulnerable groups of immigrants such as young people, women in the home and farm workers to enable them participate fully in community activities.

Advocacy: To provide information and referral service to ensure people are fully informed on their rights and entitlements and lobby for the provision of appropriate supports such as interpretative services. Linkage with the Migrants Supports Centre and other national agencies will be vital to this project. Education and Training: To guide and support people in identifying and accessing educational options. Information: To inform and support people in access to health, social services, accommodation services.

To develop language skills, help with job search and tailoring C.V.s and recognition of qualification equivalency.

To provide opportunities for people to meet and share experiences, exchange information and break down cultural and linguistic barriers. The provision of opportunities for intercultural initiatives that promote cross cultural information, dialogue and activity

“Parents Time” has been introduced as an initiative by the IOP to assist members of the immigrant community with any concerns such as language, job seeking, and schooling for children, health care, tax, and any other issues which may arise. Translators and interpreters are available and meetings are held once a month in Buncrana.

As a part of the celebrations of Poland’s Independence Day, on 11th of November 2008 Inishowen Development Partnership Immigrant Outreach Programme in collaboration with Donegal County Library Service launched a major addition to their book catalogue. Over 1,000 books in the Polish language are available to all library users throughout the county from both local branches and via the library website. The book collection is among the largest in the Polish language held by any county library in Ireland. It was culmination of a lot of hard work and a lot of excellent partnership and co-operation not only between Immigrant Outreach Programme and the Library but also with friends in Poland.

To find out more about the Immigrant Outreach Programme contact Kasia Wojtach at Inishowen Development Partnership on 9362218 or 0866015086.