The Future Voices project aimed to support the inclusion and integration of migrants and refugees in Ireland and Spain by improving language skills, confidence, and participation in community life. A key objective was to provide inclusive, high-quality language learning for migrants, including those affected by the war in Ukraine, with a focus on real-life communication. The project also aimed to develop and test an innovative approach combining language learning with creative expression and global citizenship education. In parallel, it sought to strengthen the capacity of local learning centres to deliver flexible, community-based programmes and to support intercultural dialogue, community development, and long-term integration outcomes.
Blackwater Training applied for Future Voices to address shared gaps in language learning and integration for migrants in both Ireland and Spain. In rural Ireland, many learners faced barriers beyond language, including low confidence and social isolation, while in Barcelona, migrant communities experienced similar challenges linked to access, participation, and inclusion. Through Future Voices, we wanted to explore how migration integration could be improved using language learning and concepts of global citizenship education. We noted that existing provision in both countries did not fully support engagement in community life. Back to the Roots has a strong experience in creative, community-based approaches, and provided hands-on training and knowledge sharing to not only migrants in Spain but also to Blackwater Training. This partnership also allowed our organisations to test and adapt an approach in different contexts - rural and urban, monolingual and multicultural - ensuring the model is transferable and scalable. This model is block 1 of 12 * 3 hour language classes providing key integration concepts such as accessing healthcare, shopping and pharmacy whilst block 2 (12 *3hrs) looks at creative expression.