This contribution explores how the integration of migrant people into the labour market has become today a strategic lever for economic growth and social cohesion. Starting from the Greek context and the new European policies on migration and labour mobility, the article highlights the role of initiatives such as AMIL in promoting sustainable inclusion pathways and responding to the demographic and employment challenges facing the European Union.

This perspective is particularly applicable to the situation faced by Greece and by extension the European Union. There, the need for integration and active participation of the labour force becomes more urgent and strategic than before. For most countries across Europe, labour needs and changes in population demographics are contributing to how migration issues are being viewed.

It is at this intersection of policy-making process, practice, and human-centered assistance that exists the AMIL Project, which consists in a program for integrating migrant people into the Greek economy via a dual approach to encouraging both employers and migrants to enter their labour sector.

Migration in Greece: A Changing Context

Greece remains an important entryway into Europe for people affected by war, poverty, and instability. Its geographic location makes it a critical entryway into Europe. As such, it remains at the forefront of migration routes into Europe and poses the need to continue receiving and protecting migrant and refugee people and effectively managing borders.

The recent sea tragedies are sending ripples of regret and concern on how to mitigate such losses in the future. Beyond the immediate morbidity and mortality statistics, however, another challenge confronts Europe: what happens after arrival?

Employers are increasingly facing difficulties in filling vacancies in:

• Tourism and hospitality;
• Agriculture and food production;
• Construction and infrastructure;
• Seasonal and regional services;
• Care and support roles.

The disparity is fueled not only by apprehension about demand over time, but also a range of structural factors, like an aging population and a shortage of skills. In many parts of the world, an absence of workers is already a challenge even in peak seasons. Hence, a hard truth is being recognized today, both at the governmental as well as the corporate level, that a part of the answer to the challenge of sustaining economic growth is, in fact, migrant workers.

The EU’s New Five-Year Migration Strategy (2026-2030)

Hence, this change at the national level is in tandem with what is happening at the EU level. Indeed, on 29 January 2026, the European Commission presented the first-ever European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy, which sets out a framework for the management of migration, asylum, and labour mobility across the European Union for the next five years. It puts legal migration and integration at the heart of Europe’s prosperity, recognizing that labour mobility is vital for competitiveness and demographic sustainability.

Its priorities include:

• Creating safe and legal channels consistent with labor market requirements;
• Improving the recognition of skills and qualifications;
• Accelerating Access to Employment for Newcomers;
• Strengthening cooperation with our partner countries through talent partnership strategy;
• Balance protection/solidarity and responsibility among Member States.

Such an approach is indicative of an important shift, as integration is not considered just another result but an initial and essential process. Such an approach is also beneficial for countries that have to balance immigration and labor shortages, as is the case with Greece.

How AMIL Fits into This New Reality

In this new policy environment, the two-pronged approach of the AMIL Project is more pertinent than ever.
Its foundation is pragmatic: “Integration is only possible if both sides of the labour market are ready at the same time”.

• Strengthening the Private Sector for Inclusive Hiring
  Many Greek businesses are willing to hire third-country nationals but lack the operational know-how. AMIL’s training interventions are designed to support HR professionals, hiring managers, and team leaders to address the complexities they face, employment law and their legal obligations, linguistic and cultural diversity, and inclusive hiring and team performance. Inclusive hiring is not just about good intentions: it is about doing something. Businesses are given the training and the confidence to make their inclusive hiring a reality.

• Supporting Migrant people with Personalized Integration Pathways
  On the other hand, migrant people face different and complex barriers, which are not only related to their lack of networks, linguistic, and cultural difficulties but also their unfamiliarity with the workplace.
  AMIL addresses these issues through a personalized and human-centred approach, which includes skill assessments, career guidance, job preparation and training, workplace language training, mentoring, and guidance, as well as internships, vocational training, and actual employment.
  Rather than focusing on the migrant population as a whole, the AMIL Project recognises the diversity and uniqueness of this population and approaches them as such. Its aim is not just employment but sustainable participation and confidence.

Why This Combination Works

The real power of AMIL, therefore, is in how these two elements complement each other. As individuals become more skilled and ready, employers also become more skilled and ready. And when opportunities emerge, they are ready to seize them.

The complementarity:
– Accelerates hiring;
– Enhances matching;
– Lowers turnover;
– Fosters cohesion;
– Generates long-term employment.

In other words, it matches supply and demand, and everybody benefits from this.

Why This Matters for Greece and Europe

The current state of Greece’s labour market and demographics require solutions that are not only effective but also scalable. Moreover, the EU’s renewed approach to migration policy requires more effective connections between migration policy and economic activity. Initiatives such as AMIL illustrate how these different requirements can intersect in practice.

In so doing, AMIL demonstrates that inclusive labour migration is not a burden but a strength – a facilitator of productivity, resilience, and social cohesion.

This translates into the following for Greece:
– Thriving businesses.
– Bridging the labour gap.
– Leveraging migrant people’s contribution.
– Building communities through participation.

And into the following for Europe: a scalable model of integration that is collaborative, structured, and smart.

The answer to effective and sustainable integration, therefore, lies not in helping migrant people find jobs. But in creating labour markets and societies that allow all to contribute.
And in today’s Europe, that is not just good policy. It is essential!

The PACT – Participatory Action for Community Transformation project has officially launched its first phase with the WP1 Coordination Meeting, held online on 28 January 2026, bringing together partners from across Europe to align strategies, exchange perspectives, and co-design the foundations of upcoming activities.

Funded under the CERV – Networks of Towns programme, PACT is a 24-month European initiative that aims to contribute to the recognition, empowerment and inclusion of underrepresented ethnic and national minorities in local communities. By strengthening cooperation between municipalities, civil society organisations and minority-led actors, the project promotes inclusive governance, participatory democracy and social cohesion across Europe.

The project is led by ADL Zavidovići (Italy) and implemented by a transnational partnership including Fons Català de Cooperació al Desenvolupment (Spain), KMOP – Social Action and Innovation Centre (Greece), Center for Intercultural Dialogue – CID (North Macedonia), PLACE Network (France) and KONKÁV (Hungary).
ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy leads the coordination of events at European level, strengthening the link between the project’s transnational scope and its communication and advocacy actions.

A collaborative start: WP1 Coordination Meeting

The WP1 kick-off meeting marked an important first step in translating the project’s vision into concrete actions. The session created space for partners to present their organisations, target groups and local contexts, while identifying shared challenges and opportunities related to minority participation.

Partners highlighted experiences from working with migrant-led organisations, Muslim communities, Roma youth and families, as well as municipalities committed to anti-racism and inclusion policies. Across different national contexts, a common concern emerged: the difficulty in reaching underrepresented minorities, compounded by barriers to participation and the persistence of misleading or exclusionary narratives.

The meeting focused on the core principles guiding WP1 activities: cooperation, co-design and co-creation. 

Throughout the meeting, partners reaffirmed the project’s commitment to a human-rights-based and participatory approach, placing minorities at the centre of decision-making processes as active contributors and rights-holders.

Looking ahead: WP1 International Conference and Workshops in Brussels

Preparations are now underway for the WP1 International Conference and Workshop on the Promotion of Minorities’ Participation in Multi-level Governance, which will take place on 10–11 March 2026 in Brussels, at Amazone – House of Associations for Gender Equality.

The two-day event will gather 76 participants from 10 European countries, including representatives of municipalities, civil society organisations, minority-led groups, experts and practitioners.

By fostering dialogue between local and European actors, the event will represent a key milestone in advancing inclusive governance models and democratic participation across Europe.

With WP1 officially underway, PACT is setting the foundations for a shared European effort to reshape narratives, enhance participation and build more cohesive and inclusive communities.