United Nations pilot project for strengthening migrant integration and social cohesion through stakeholders’ engagement, socio-economic activities and countering anti-migrant narratives in South Africa

As the main country of destination for migrants in the region, South Africa faces challenges of integration and social cohesion, with a recent history of xenophobic violence. Funded by the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund, the overall objective of this joint programme is to help address these dynamics, particularly among the populations in vulnerable situations through targeted engagement and participation of government counterparts, migrants and host communities in community-level peace and socio-economic related activities. It seeks to shape the public narrative on migration, and promote tolerance and evidence-based discussion on migration. The joint programme will focus on the provinces of Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Western Cape, which contains some of the largest cities, where the interplay between migrants and host communities over limited resources are much more evident and where violence attributed to xenophobia has frequently occurred. Employing a three-pronged approach of “Prevention, Protection and Empowerment”, the five PUNOs jointly seek to strengthen national and local system capacities to prevent and respond to xenophobia; promote social inclusion and peaceful coexistence among migrants, other groups and host communities; and strengthen national capacities and systems for understanding the causes, and dynamics of violence, and for articulating responses. The joint programme is aligned with the recently adopted National Action Plan to combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (2019) and exhibits a strong whole-of-government approach, involving several national ministries as well as local authorities. The activities implemented will serve as a catalyst for further pilot interventions and replications in other Southern African countries.