The UNICORE project was born in 2019 to establish safe and legal routes for refugee students to continue their university studies in Italy. Currently, the project is on its 5th edition, and owes its success to the collaboration of various organizations, including our member, Diaconia Valdese, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, UNHCR, Caritas Italiana, Gandhi Charity, Centro Astalli and several Italian universities
The UNICORE Project aims to promote complementary pathways of admission and protection, and secure student visas and scholarships within European Union member states. It offers an innovative model to secure a safe entry of refugee students who are currently residing in Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe[1], empowering them to pursue their academic aspirations and facilitating their social inclusion in Italy.
Our member Diaconia Valdese plays an essential role in UNICORE by providing its extensive experience in the reception and integration of asylum seekers and refugees. At the national level, Diaconia Valdese has coordinated, monitored, and co-planned the different editions of UNICORE. Moreover, they provide personal support to the student before their departure and on their arrival to Italy. For instance, they conduct, with other national partner, thorough briefings and individuali pre-departure interviews, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their new academic journey. Additionally, Diaconia Valdese assists with arrival and airport procedures, and the transfer to the study site, by providing security and support to the refugee students on their way to Italy.
At the local level, through their network of social service centres, Diaconia Valdese and the local partner (associations and local organizations) provide comprehensive support to refugee students during their entire university journey. This includes facilitating the access to social services, handling administrative paperwork regarding healthcare, social security and bank accounts, as well as providing legal advice, and managing residence permits. Additionally, they ensure that students receive a monthly allowance to cover personal expenditures and the necessary study materials. Furthermore, they play a vital role in providing psychological support and facilitating the socio-cultural integration of the refugee students. Thorough the process, a personal social worker is assigned to each student.
Finally, once they have finalised their studies, they can access Diaconia Valdese’s inclusion programmes to receive assistance in their search for postgraduate employment and housing in Italy, as well as legal support concerning residence permits. Some students have chosen to return to the country of initial asylum, while others have pursued further education in other countries, or remain in Italy to actively seek for employment or pursue postgraduate university studies.
Diaconia Valdese’s and all the UNICORE’s partners efforts are making a significant difference in the lives of these students, not only by promoting a safe and legal pathway, but also by supporting and empowering them to finish their higher education, follow their aspirations and build up a future.
You can read more information about UNICORE in their official website. Check out Saber’s and Divine’s testimonies.
[1] The first country of asylum eligible for the UNICORE project varies depending on the edition.