Before we design programs, workshops, or pilot actions, we start somewhere else.
We start by listening.
As part of the CulturAll project, we’ve been conducting in-depth interviews with young migrants across three countries. These conversations are not about ticking boxes or collecting quotes for reports. They are about understanding real experiences, motivations, frustrations, and hopes — in people’s own words.
Even at this early stage, some strong patterns are already emerging. Below we share a few initial insights that are shaping how we think about inclusion, culture, and participation.
Beyond stereotypes: “I am more than my nationality”
One of the clearest messages we hear is resistance to being reduced to labels.
Many interviewees strongly reject stereotypical, surface-level representations of culture — such as “national nights” built around clichés, flags, or food symbols. Being invited only as “the migrant from country X” often feels limiting rather than inclusive.
For some, nationality is just one small part of who they are — or not something they want to lead with at all. What they want instead is to be seen as individuals with complex identities, interests, and stories.
Inclusion starts when institutions stop asking “Where are you from?” and start asking “What matters to you?”
Co-creation matters more than participation
Another recurring theme is the importance of real involvement.
People don’t want to be “participants” who simply attend events designed by others. What truly builds engagement is co-creation — having a say, sharing responsibility, and seeing that your contribution actually shapes the outcome.
Several interviewees emphasized that being trusted with responsibility is empowering. It signals respect and creates a sense of ownership. When migrants are invited to co-design activities, facilitate sessions, or lead parts of a project, their motivation and commitment grow significantly.
Inclusion, in this sense, is not about offering access — it’s about sharing power.
Common passions connect more than categories
Many young migrants build their sense of belonging not around nationality, but around shared interests and values.
History, ecology, entrepreneurship, arts, sustainability, anti-consumerism — these universal passions often matter more than ethnic or national identity. Events and cultural activities that focus on such shared themes feel more natural and less forced.
This insight challenges institutions to rethink how they frame “integration activities.”
Instead of designing events for migrants, it may be more effective to design events around common interests, where migration status becomes secondary or irrelevant.
Small details create safety and trust
Inclusion is not only about ideas — it’s also about organization.
Clear communication, accessible language, transparent rules, translations, friendly facilitation, and predictable procedures all play a huge role in whether people feel safe and welcome. Small organizational details can either invite people in or quietly push them away.
Several interviewees highlighted that professionalism and clarity signal respect. Knowing what will happen, how to participate, and what is expected reduces anxiety and builds trust — especially for those navigating new systems and institutions.
From “talking about problems” to offering real opportunities
Many migrants are tired of conversations that focus only on difficulties and barriers.
While challenges are real, what people often look for are practical opportunities: language practice, networking, access to knowledge, skills development, information about work, legal pathways, or collaboration possibilities.
Cultural institutions can play a powerful role here — not only as spaces of expression, but as platforms that open doors, connect people, and support real-life goals.
What’s next?
These insights are already shaping how we design our pilot programs and how we collaborate with cultural institutions. They remind us that inclusion is not a checklist or a one-time event — it is an ongoing relationship built on trust, curiosity, and shared responsibility.
This is just the beginning of the research process. More interviews, deeper analysis, and further insights are still ahead of us. But even now, one thing is clear:
Meaningful inclusion always starts with listening — and we’re committed to continuing that conversation.