Mutual Learning Conference on the Integration of Migrants 2021
Spotlight on Housing, Skills Intelligence, Women and Children (2021)
On 30 November 2021, the Mutual Learning Conference on the Integration of Migrants was held online, bringing together European institutions, policymakers, practitioners and civil society actors to explore inclusive solutions around skills intelligence and learning, housing, women and children.
The conference created a shared learning space to reflect on how integration policies can be strengthened through cross-sector collaboration, evidence-based approaches and innovative social models, with housing recognised as a key enabling infrastructure for social inclusion.
Within this context, María José Anitua participated in Workshop 2, contributing insights grounded in the experience of Empty Homes Collaborative and its systemic approach to housing reuse. Her intervention focused on the opportunity represented by millions of empty homes across Europe as a practical and scalable solution for affordable housing, particularly for migrants and refugees.
The contribution highlighted how re-using existing housing stock not only addresses access to housing, but also prevents environmental impact by reducing construction-related emissions, waste and pollution. Framed within a People · Planet · Profit perspective, the presentation connected social inclusion with climate action, positioning housing reuse as a form of preventive climate action rather than compensatory measures.
Key elements discussed included:
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Housing reuse as a circular and regenerative model
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Multi-stakeholder collaboration based on trust
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Innovative relational and governance frameworks enabling implementation
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The role of housing as a bridge between social investment and climate responsibility
María José Anitua’s participation in Workshop 2 reinforced the importance of integrating housing innovation into migrant integration strategies, demonstrating that solutions already exist, are being tested, and can be replicated across territories through conscious collaboration.
The conference ultimately underlined a shared conclusion: social inclusion, housing and climate action are deeply interconnected, and addressing them together is not only possible, but already happening.
