Living in a New Country

The project

The program Living in a New Country was part of the project General and Non-formal Education of Adults, which involved 15 different programs of general adult education that were intended for active adults (aged 25 to 55 years), older adults over 55 years of age, unemployed adults, Roma, migrants, prisoners and adults with special needs. All programs consisted of 50 hours and took place in the morning or afternoon, once or twice weekly. It was intended for all migrants, regardless of their origin. The participants were most often individuals otherwise waiting for a vacant spot in the Initial integration program and migrants who were not citizens of third countries and were not entitled to free participation in the Initial integration program. The program took the form of lectures, discussions, visiting events, museums, state institutions. 

The practice was developed to address and fill the gaps of existing integration programs, it provided an opportunity for a wider category of migrants to learn Slovenian language, improve their functional literacy, become familiar with and experience Slovenian culture and society, which is one of the most successful paths to integration

The impact of the good practice

Migrants included in the program were taught the Slovenian language, the use of language associated with career planning and the Slovenian country, learned about the local environmental performance of major institutions and other organizations in order to increase their functional literacy. About 20 participants joined the program each year. After the conclusion of the program most of the participants remained in contact with the organization, often through the activities of the Adult Education Guidance Center Novo Mesto, which helped them in exploring their employment opportunities, resolve status issues and participate in additional educational courses.