We are pleased to announce that CoSME has started collaborating with the GROWTH Project!

As part of this collaboration, CoSME will organize a Focus Group event, which will take place on Tuesday, November 5th, at Tuscia University.

About the Focus Group

The Focus Group will gather students who have been involved in or have supported refugee sponsorship initiatives at Tuscia University over the past three years. The aim is to gain detailed insights into volunteers' motivations and experiences in assisting refugees. The objective of the Focus Group is to obtain a comprehensive understanding of these experiences, motivations, and challenges, and to use these insights to improve volunteer experiences and attract more sponsors in the future. The findings will be confidential and used to make recommendations for the sector.

About the GROWTH Project

The GROWTH Project aims to enhance community sponsorship schemes across the European Union by introducing a range of innovations, including those from crisis response contexts. This initiative focuses on increasing the number and diversity of sponsors and stakeholders involved in sponsorship programs.

The GROWTH Project is implemented in collaboration with several esteemed organizations: Pathways International Europe (Belgium), More In Common Ev - More In Common Deutschland (Germany), Fondazione International Rescue Committee Italia ETS (Italy), Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII - Apg23 (Italy), and The Open Community Limited By Guarantee (Ireland).

The Project seeks to develop and implement evidence-based strategies for recruiting and retaining sponsors, analyze and apply innovations to scale sponsorship efforts, and strengthen the capacity of community sponsorship programs to effectively respond to crises. It involves research to explore the untapped potential of European communities in welcoming refugees, investigating the factors that influence community support, and identifying barriers to increasing sponsorship.

Structured into five work packages, the Project includes a research phase in Italy, Ireland, and Germany to develop innovative strategies. It also focuses on the recruitment and maintenance of welcoming communities and sponsors, with a particular emphasis on promotion and communication. Additionally, the Project addresses housing challenges through various campaigns, tools, and workshops, and aims to implement new strategies to scale sponsorship and enhance program capacities.