Since 2016, Un, deux, Nous ! offers personalized support to migrants to help them overcome the obstacles associated with settling in Belgium. Inspired by the needs identified in the initial “109” project, this intercultural and intergenerational mentoring program is based on a relationship of trust between beneficiaries and their mentors, thereby promoting successful social and administrative integration.
The program addresses a variety of needs, including finding housing, enrolling in health insurance, completing administrative procedures, and finding vocational training. Each journey begins with a meeting with the project coordinator, who assesses the specific needs of the beneficiaries and identifies the most suitable mentors. These pairs work together for six months, following a clear agreement that defines their common goals.
In addition to individual support, Un, deux, Nous! offers group activities to strengthen social ties and encourage intercultural exchange. These gatherings include training sessions for mentors, workshops for sharing experiences, and cultural events such as walks, museum visits, and cooking workshops. This inclusive setting creates an environment conducive to exchange and mutual understanding.
Un, deux, Nous ! is not limited to practical assistance: the project also promotes the autonomy of beneficiaries. Mentors act as facilitators, guiding beneficiaries while allowing them the space to act on their own. This approach helps to build the confidence and independence of migrants, while helping them to fully integrate into their host society.
The support process in Un, deux, Nous! begins with an initial meeting with the project coordinator, and possibly social services, in order to identify the specific needs of the migrant and list the steps for which the support of a mentor would be relevant. At the same time, a meeting is organized with people who wish to become mentors to identify their expectations and skills.
Once the profiles are compatible, an agreement is signed for a period of six months. During this period, the two members of the pair work together to achieve the defined objectives, in a dynamic focused on the autonomy of the person being supported. The role of the mentor is not to carry out the steps on behalf of the beneficiary, but to support them, acting as a facilitator between the individual and the host society.
In addition to this individual support, several group activities are organized to strengthen bonds and encourage intercultural exchange. These initiatives include training and peer supervision for mentors, as well as cultural events such as walks, museum visits, and cooking workshops, which bring both members of the pair together in a friendly and enriching setting.
The objectives include:
- Facilitating administrative and social integration:
- Assist beneficiaries with administrative procedures (health insurance, housing, training).
- Refer them to services tailored to their needs.
- Encouraging independence:
- Support beneficiaries in achieving their goals while respecting their ability to act independently.
- Train mentors to act as facilitators.
- Strengthening intercultural ties:
- Organize group activities to promote exchanges between cultures and generations.
- Create spaces where everyone can share their experiences and learn from others.
- Creating effective and lasting partnerships:
- Establish balanced partnerships based on the skills and expectations of mentors and mentees.
- Ensure regular follow-up to guarantee that support is running smoothly.
Un, deux, Nous ! shows that social inclusion requires mutual aid and sharing, creating human bonds that transcend cultural and administrative barriers.
