The Peer Support Programme for inclusion, access to services and community participation is now open. The initiative places at its core proximity-based relationships, mutual support, and improved access to local services as concrete tools for social inclusion.
Running from July to December 2026, the programme is promoted by CESIE ETS in collaboration with ANCI Sicilia, as part of the European project @nclusion, co-funded by the AMIF – Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
Reducing barriers to access services
Despite the wide range of health, social, educational, and employment services available across Sicily, many people with a migration background, refugees, and asylum seekers still face significant barriers in accessing them – such as fragmented information, language difficulties, lack of trusted networks, and vulnerabilities linked to multiple forms of
discrimination.
The Peer Support Programme addresses these challenges through a relational and participatory approach that connects individuals, communities, and services, supporting access pathways in key areas such as:
- health and wellbeing
- housing
- employment
- education and training
- social and local services
Rather than replacing existing services, the programme strengthens them by making access easier through trust-based relationships and accompaniment.
Who the programme is for
The programme targets two main groups:
On one side, people with a migration background, refugees, and asylum seekers who face barriers in accessing local services and wish to strengthen their autonomy and knowledge of available opportunities.
On the other side, professionals, social practitioners, people active in civil society, associations, or community initiatives who are interested in taking on a facilitation role, supporting peers in accessing services and navigating local opportunities.
Activities and approach
The programme follows a participatory, experiential, and flexible approach based on peer support, adapting activities to participants’ needs and local contexts.
Activities include:
- an introductory online launch meeting
- training for community-based facilitators
- workshops on mapping local services
- individual service orientation pathways
- service access simulations
- community-building and social activities
- local information points
In-person activities will mainly take place in Palermo, Agrigento, and Trapani and their provinces, with the possibility of bringing the programme to other areas in Sicily.
Main activities timeline
| Date / Period | Activities | Modality | Details |
| 16 July 2026 | Programme launch and presentation | Online | Introduction to the programme, methodology, and participation modalities |
| Septembre 2026 | Training for community-based facilitators | In-person (Palermo, Agrigento, Trapani and surrounding provinces) | Two sessions of approx. 3 hours each focused on peer support, tools, and service orientation |
| Septembre – Decembre 2026 | Community and territorial activities | In-person (Palermo, Agrigento, Trapani and surrounding provinces) | Monthly 4-hour sessions including service mapping, individual orientation, simulations, community activities, and information points |
What the programme offers
Participation in the Peer Support Programme represents an opportunity for personal and collective growth, enabling:
For people with a migration background, refugees, and asylum seekers:
- improved orientation within local services
- reduced language and information barriers
- stronger support and trust networks
- greater autonomy in integration pathways
- access to inclusive and non-discriminatory spaces
For facilitators and community-based practitioners:
- development of peer support competencies
- consolidation of intercultural and relational skills
- deeper understanding of tools for service orientation
- contribution to local inclusion processes
- engagement in active citizenship networks
All participants will receive a certificate of participation recognising the skills and competencies acquired.
How to apply
Participation is individual and free of charge.
Register to participate in the launch meeting on 16 July 2026: https://forms.gle/wxY38MiieRruXRLQA
To participate in the programme, fill in the appropriate form:
- Participants → https://forms.gle/iQtAWm8a3mxfxRuo9
- Facilitators → https://forms.gle/XukonmSqcHLmahxi6
Selection will be based on motivation, availability, and alignment with the programme’s objectives.
For more information or to register, please contact: mohamed.bashiromar@cesie.org
About the project @nclusion
@nclusion is a project funded by the AMIF-2023-TF2-AG-CALL-02-LOCAL programme and aims at building cooperation and coordination between local authorities, migrant organisations and communities, LGBTQIA+ organisations and other civil society organisations that support the rights of migrants and LGBTQI+ people.
Partners
- NICOSIA DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (ANEL) LTD (Cyprus, coordinator)
- CSI CENTER FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION LTD (Cyprus)
- SYMPLEXIS (Greece)
- FORUM GRECO DEI MIGRANTI (GFM) (Greece)
- ANCI Sicilia (Italy)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- COMITATO PROVINCIALE ARCIGAY PALERMO APS (Italy)
- COMUNE DI WROCLAW (Poland)
- FUNDACJA UKRAINA (Poland)
- COMUNE DI ALZIRA (Spain)
- NEST Berlin (Germany)
For further information
Read the project sheet and visit the site inclusionproject.eu/it.
