In 2012, International Organization for Migration (IOM) introduced the recommendations for preparing programmes and courses of social and cultural orientation for migrants in Slovakia which are supposed to help them to start a life in a new country and to integrate into society.

The recommendations were preceded by a mapping of preparation programmes and courses of social and cultural orientation in selected EU countries, consultations with experts from several countries and an international expert workshop about social, economic and cultural orientation for migrants from third countries. This workshop was organized by IOM in April 2012 in Bratislava for Slovak institutions which provide services to migrants and also for the representatives of migrant communities. Foreign experts, who participated in the workshop, shared their expertise in pre-departure and post-departure courses of social and cultural orientation for migrants.

In September 2012, IOM organized an international expert conference Social and Cultural Orientation for Migrants from Third Countries. It was attended by representatives of public and education institutions, NGOs working with migrants and representatives of migrant communities. Experts from Czech Republic, Austria, Sweden and IOM Offices in Geneva and Prague shared their experience and good practice recommendations. At the conference, IOM Bratislava introduced a summary of recommendations for the elaboration of a single methodology, curricula and content of preparatory programmes and courses of social and cultural orientation for migrants in Slovakia.

Preparatory programmes, ability to understand the social and cultural context in the host country and counselling adjusted to individual needs prepare migrants for their life in a new country. This knowledge and abilities of migrants can make easier the work of local employers and employees.

The conference outputs and IOM recommendations for preparing programmes of social and cultural orientation for better integration of migrants in Slovakia were published in a separate conference proceedings (in Slovak language).

The project Providing Social and Cultural Orientation for Migrants – Exchange of Experience with Foreign Experts from EU Member States was implemented by IOM from January till September 2012. The project was co-funded from the European Union from the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals. Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows.