The New Scots Refugee Strategy
The New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy sets out Scotland’s commitment to support people to build meaningful and sustainable lives here.
The first part of the latest strategy was published in March 2024.
The strategy provides an important platform for everyone in Scotland to work together to welcome and support people seeking protection here. It understands integration as a long-term, two-way process, involving positive change in both individuals and host communities, which leads to cohesive, diverse communities.
The key principle of the New Scots strategy is that refugees and people seeking asylum should be supported to integrate into communities from their first day in Scotland, and not just once leave to remain has been granted.
We are proud to be to partners in the development and delivery of this strategy along with the Scottish Government and COSLA. The strategy has been endorsed by UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency.
The strategy aims to ensure that:
- Scotland is a place of safety for everyone, where people are able to live free from persecution as valued members of communities.
- Everyone is able to pursue their ambitions through education, employment, culture and leisure activities.
- Scotland has strong, inclusive and resilient communities where everyone is able to access the support and services they need and is able to exercise their rights.
- Scotland is a country that values diversity, where people are able to use and share their culture, skills and experiences, as they build strong relationships and connections.
New Scots approach
There are five principles which form the New Scots approach:
Integration from day one
The key principle of the New Scots strategy is that refugees and asylum seekers should be supported to integrate into communities from day one of arrival, and not just once leave to remain has been granted.
A rights-based approach
The New Scots strategy aims to empower people to know about their rights and to understand how to exercise them.
We support refugees and asylum seekers because it is the right thing to do; people should be able to live safely and realise their human rights.
Refugee involvement
The New Scots strategy actively encourages refugees and asylum seekers to be involved in helping to shape the strategy and its delivery.
Inclusive communities
The New Scots strategy supports refugees, asylum seekers and our communities to be involved in building stronger, resilient communities which enable everyone to be active citizens. Partnership and Collaboration
The New Scots strategy has been developed collaboratively to coordinate the efforts of organisations and community groups across Scotland involved in supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
Find out more – to find out more about New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy, contact Gary Christie: 0141 248 9799 or use this form.
