We present information, facts and data on:

• how cities are adapting services to ensure the integration of newcomers

• how cities are communicating with citizens on the issue

• how cities work – or do not work - with the regional and national level

• what kind of support cities receive or need

• the practical challenges cities face and solutions they identify

• the impact on the municipal budget

Cities are on the front line when it comes to receiving and integrating refugees and asylum seekers. They must deal with the urgent challenges presented by the arrival of refugees and asylum seekers, such as providing housing, and access to healthcare and education.

They must also establish the necessary infrastructure to ensure the long term integration of newcomers in our societies, and to maintain social cohesion.

Anna Lisa Boni, EUROCITIES secretary general, said:

“City administrations are in a difficult situation: most have no legal competence to care for asylum seekers and refugees, yet they are forced to take charge without the official mandate or budget to do so. Cities are on the front line when it comes to the current refugee situation in Europe, and they deserve the political and financial recognition at European and national level to reflect this.”

With this report, we hope to highlight the challenges city administrations face and the exemplary work and leadership they have shown in the face of this unprecedented situation. Our aim is to feed this evidence into the current debate on migration and integration at European level and contribute to the partnership on refugee integration currently being developed under the EU Urban Agenda.

Our report will be officially launched at a policy dialogue held together with the European Policy Centre this afternoon in Brussels. It will be available at the event or on our website shortly after.