On 30 September 2016, the Oeuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte announced the official inauguration of the MATENEEN project to support the reception and integration of refugees in Luxembourg at the Philharmonie.
Launched in December last year in the midst of the refugee crisis and in response to a remarkable show of solidarity from civilians, the project aims to enable local organisations to implement initiatives for refugees and asylum seekers in the Grand Duchy. It calls for solidarity across Europe and has already granted €12 million to 24 project leaders to support their attempts to integrate refugees into Luxembourgish society as well as to bring both them and Luxembourgers closer together.
In the selection process, the judging panel chose over 80 projects focusing on social inclusion between March and July 2016. The decision was rigorous and in compliance with strict regulations. Finally, the jury chose just over 24 projects in the following nine sectors: culture, sustainable development, education/training, employment, information7coordination, housing, meeting the “other”, health/psychological support, and physical support.
According to the Oeuvre’s president Pierre Bley, one of the main aims of MATENEEN- which means “together” in Luxembourgish- is to “allow the development of projects which favour residents, refugees and asylum seekers meeting one another. The engagement of residents, with an open and welcoming attitudes, is the best way in which to truly integrate new arrivals in Luxembourg.”
That being said, the project was not exclusively made for refugees. In fact, it aims to encourage all members of society to actively engage in reflecting on and creating the society of tomorrow. The projects are made by and for everyone.
Last week, the association announced the inauguration of these projects in front of representatives of civil society, such as Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess and Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.
