van Heelsum, Anja

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Amsterdam.

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Terrassa.

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Athens.

Urban populations have become increasingly heterogeneous in ethnic, cultural and religious terms. These multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious structures challenge the ability of municipalities to establish or maintain peaceful relations among the different segments of the population. The third module of the CLIP project focuses on the relations between different groups in the city, as well as local policies established to deal with these relations, and the way in which representatives of migrant associations, religious communities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) assess the local activities. This case study was carried out in Breda, the Netherlands.

Urban populations have become increasingly heterogeneous in ethnic, cultural and religious terms. These multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious structures challenge the ability of municipalities to establish or maintain peaceful relations among the different segments of the population. The third module of the CLIP project focuses on the relations between different groups in the city, as well as local policies established to deal with these relations, and the way in which representatives of migrant associations, religious communities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) assess the local activities. This case study was carried out in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Urban populations have become increasingly heterogeneous in ethnic, cultural and religious terms. These multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious structures challenge the ability of municipalities to establish or maintain peaceful relations among the different segments of the population. The third module of the CLIP project focuses on the relations between different groups in the city, as well as local policies established to deal with these relations, and the way in which representatives of migrant associations, religious communities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) assess the local activities. This case study was carried out in Terrassa, Spain.

Considering the late start of immigration - 10 years ago -, integration policies in Terrassa have developed rather quickly and the implementation of social measures has been undertaken in a dynamic and energetic way. Measures include visiting immigrants in order to prevent problems in apartment buildings, providing induction courses and mediation services, organising the reception of newcomers, offering language courses and running training courses for unemployed people. The municipality intends to increase its social housing stock as quickly as possible, but it will still take time until this goal is reached.

Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands, with 743,104 inhabitants (January 2007). Although The Hague is the seat of government, Amsterdam is the capital of the country. Immigration to Amsterdam is as old as the city itself. The proportion of foreign born nationals in Amsterdam was consistently about 30% of the total population in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the beginning of the 20th century, immigration was at its lowest point, but it increased again from 1960 onwards. The proportion of indigenous Dutch people is 51% (January 2007). The other half of the population is a mixture of western (14%) and non-western groups (34%). Of the non-western groups, 58% are first generation immigrants and 42% are second generation. Surinamese and Moroccans are the largest ethnic groups.

Breda is a medium-sized city in the southern part of the Netherlands, with a population of 170,495 inhabitants (January 2007). About 10% of the population of Breda consists of non-western immigrants, including the second generation immigrants with at least one parent of immigrant origin, while another 10% of immigrants is of western origin. Breda’s current integration policy is set out in the latest policy document entitled ‘Integration Agenda 2005–2006’. This policy document was based on the ‘Integration monitor 2004’ and on three principles: equality of cultures, equal chances and opportunities and reciprocity.

Malmö is Sweden’s third largest city, with 280,000 inhabitants in December 2008. During the period 1990–1993, the city lost almost 20% of its job opportunities. The crisis coincided with a strong increase in the immigration of refugees and other new immigrants from war-torn areas in eastern Europe and the Middle East. The proportion of the population with a foreign background now stands at 37%. Today, Malmö may be described as ethnically and socioeconomically segregated, with middle class neighbourhoods in the west and working class neighbourhoods in the south and east. Currently, 171 different nationalities are living in Malmö.