By implementing the project, our primary objective was to facilitate the integration of migrants into the labour market, recognizing its importance not only for their successful societal integration but also for the economies of Member States. The project sought to address the specific challenge of integrating migrants and refugees from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) into the European labour market by fostering collaboration among experienced partners and academia and establishing a cooperative network among heavily impacted countries. To accomplish this goal, the project aimed to design and implement research-based educational training, as well as guidance and counselling programs tailored to refugees and migrants from LAC countries, empowering them to actively contribute to society. The training implementation was informed by a comprehensive analysis of the target group's needs. In the initial phase of the project, participating organisations conducted a comparative situation analysis utilising a combination of qualitative questioning and online focus groups. Additionally, the project's research and development activities were informed by an extensive literature review, with the aim of generating academic outputs.
The project tackled the urgent need for a cohesive strategy to integrate migrants and refugees from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) into receiving countries' labor markets. Research highlighted a rise in skilled migration from LAC, driven by the Venezuelan refugee crisis and tighter U.S. asylum policies under the Trump administration. The collapse of Venezuela's economy and prolonged political crisis caused approximately 4 million Venezuelans to flee, leading to a significant increase in asylum applications in Europe, especially Spain, which saw a nearly 50% rise last year. Spain and EFTA countries became primary destinations, with Venezuelans being the second-largest asylum-seeking group in Europe after Syrians. Despite the influx, few asylum seekers were accepted, posing integration challenges. Data suggested many migrants had secondary or higher education, yet there was a mismatch between their skills and available job opportunities. Most migrants pursued lower-skilled jobs, particularly in services, with high female participation in domestic roles. The project was guided by an analysis of the challenges, barriers, and opportunities LAC migrants face in labor market integration.