Migration has always been part of human history. Migration has shaped societies throughout history, bringing new ideas, cultures, skills, and perspectives. While migration can create challenges, it also offers opportunities for innovation, intercultural learning, and stronger communities.
Understanding why people move, how integration works, and how intercultural dialogue strengthens communities helps us replace stereotypes with knowledge and build societies where everyone can participate. Building inclusive communities is not simply about welcoming newcomers. It is about creating environments where everyone—regardless of their background—can participate, contribute and enjoy equal opportunities. This requires more than policies; it depends on mutual intercultural understanding, equal opportunities, dialogue, and shared responsibility.
What is Migration? What is an Inclusive Community?
WHAT YOU'LL EXPLORE
🌍 Understanding Migration
Learn why people migrate, the different types of migration, and the global factors that influence human mobility.
🌐 Immigrants in Denmark
Categories, and useful info
💬 Migrant Women
Situation & challenges
🤝 Inclusive Communities
Discover what makes communities welcoming, resilient and inclusive for everyone.
💡 What Can I do?
Reflection and practical ideas to promote inclusion and social cohesion.
Understanding why people move, how integration works, and how intercultural dialogue strengthens communities helps us replace stereotypes with knowledge and build societies where everyone can participate. Building inclusive communities is not simply about welcoming newcomers. It is about creating environments where everyone—regardless of their background—can participate, contribute and enjoy equal opportunities. This requires more than policies; it depends on mutual intercultural understanding, equal opportunities, dialogue, and shared responsibility.
What is Migration? What is an Inclusive Community?
- Migration is the movement of people from one place to another, whether within a country or across international borders.
- An inclusive community is one where everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute and feel respected, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances.
WHAT YOU'LL EXPLORE
🌍 Understanding Migration
Learn why people migrate, the different types of migration, and the global factors that influence human mobility.
🌐 Immigrants in Denmark
Categories, and useful info
💬 Migrant Women
Situation & challenges
🤝 Inclusive Communities
Discover what makes communities welcoming, resilient and inclusive for everyone.
💡 What Can I do?
Reflection and practical ideas to promote inclusion and social cohesion.
1 in every 30 people in the world is a migrant !
Over 281 million international migrants in the world in 2020, which equates to 3.6% of the global population.
In 1970, 2.3% of the world’s population was migrant.
By the end of 2022, there was a total of 35.3 million refugees globally, the highest captured by modern statistical reporting. In 2022 alone, almost 2.9 million asylum applications were registered in 162 countries, the highest number of individual asylum applications on record. [Source: IOM, UN Migration]
6.168 million Ukrainian refugees were registered across Europe by the end of July 2024, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), dimensions not seen in Europe since the Second World War.
Over 281 million international migrants in the world in 2020, which equates to 3.6% of the global population.
In 1970, 2.3% of the world’s population was migrant.
By the end of 2022, there was a total of 35.3 million refugees globally, the highest captured by modern statistical reporting. In 2022 alone, almost 2.9 million asylum applications were registered in 162 countries, the highest number of individual asylum applications on record. [Source: IOM, UN Migration]
6.168 million Ukrainian refugees were registered across Europe by the end of July 2024, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), dimensions not seen in Europe since the Second World War.
Understanding Migration
People migrate for many different reasons, and often several factors influence a person's decision to move. Some migration is voluntary, while other people are forced to leave their homes because of conflict, persecution, disasters, or other circumstances beyond their control. Understanding these different motivations helps us move beyond stereotypes and appreciate the complexity of human mobility.
Global migration is one of the most pressing issues of our time. With more than 250 million international immigrants and growing, the world is changing. This is a fact, not an opinion. We - from regular people to policy makers - need to accept and embrace it, and therefore, change the way we look at it.
🌍 Why People Move
People migrate for many different reasons, and every migration journey is unique. While some people choose to move in search of new opportunities, others are forced to leave their homes because of circumstances beyond their control. Often, several factors influence a person's decision to migrate.
Understanding these different motivations helps us move beyond stereotypes and recognise the diverse experiences of people on the move.
🏠 Safety and Protection: People may flee war, armed conflict, persecution, violence, or serious human rights violations. Others leave because their lives, freedom, or security are at risk. Seeking safety is one of the most urgent reasons why people migrate.
🎓 Education: Many people move to access educational opportunities that are unavailable or limited in their home country. Studying abroad can provide new knowledge, skills, qualifications, and intercultural experiences that support personal and professional development.
💼 Employment and Economic Opportunities: People often migrate in search of employment, better working conditions, higher incomes, or improved opportunities to support themselves and their families. Labour migration contributes to many economies and addresses workforce needs in different sectors.
👨👩👧 Family Reunification: Families may become separated by migration, conflict, or employment. Many countries allow people to join close family members who are already legally residing there, helping families live together and support one another.
🌍 Climate and Environmental Factors: Environmental degradation, natural disasters, droughts, rising sea levels, and the impacts of climate change can affect people's livelihoods and living conditions. In some cases, these pressures contribute to migration, either temporarily or permanently.
⚖️ Other Reasons: Migration can also be influenced by health, retirement, cultural exchange, volunteering, research, entrepreneurship, or personal aspirations. Every migration story is different, and many people migrate for a combination of reasons rather than a single cause.
Global Factors Influencing Human Mobility
Migration does not happen in isolation. It is influenced by global events and long-term trends such as economic development, conflict, climate change, education, labour markets, and technological progress. Together, these factors shape the movement of people within and across countries.
Migration is rarely explained by a single reason. Understanding the many factors that influence migration helps us replace assumptions with knowledge and approach the topic with greater empathy and critical thinking.
Global migration is one of the most pressing issues of our time. With more than 250 million international immigrants and growing, the world is changing. This is a fact, not an opinion. We - from regular people to policy makers - need to accept and embrace it, and therefore, change the way we look at it.
🌍 Why People Move
People migrate for many different reasons, and every migration journey is unique. While some people choose to move in search of new opportunities, others are forced to leave their homes because of circumstances beyond their control. Often, several factors influence a person's decision to migrate.
Understanding these different motivations helps us move beyond stereotypes and recognise the diverse experiences of people on the move.
🏠 Safety and Protection: People may flee war, armed conflict, persecution, violence, or serious human rights violations. Others leave because their lives, freedom, or security are at risk. Seeking safety is one of the most urgent reasons why people migrate.
🎓 Education: Many people move to access educational opportunities that are unavailable or limited in their home country. Studying abroad can provide new knowledge, skills, qualifications, and intercultural experiences that support personal and professional development.
💼 Employment and Economic Opportunities: People often migrate in search of employment, better working conditions, higher incomes, or improved opportunities to support themselves and their families. Labour migration contributes to many economies and addresses workforce needs in different sectors.
👨👩👧 Family Reunification: Families may become separated by migration, conflict, or employment. Many countries allow people to join close family members who are already legally residing there, helping families live together and support one another.
🌍 Climate and Environmental Factors: Environmental degradation, natural disasters, droughts, rising sea levels, and the impacts of climate change can affect people's livelihoods and living conditions. In some cases, these pressures contribute to migration, either temporarily or permanently.
⚖️ Other Reasons: Migration can also be influenced by health, retirement, cultural exchange, volunteering, research, entrepreneurship, or personal aspirations. Every migration story is different, and many people migrate for a combination of reasons rather than a single cause.
Global Factors Influencing Human Mobility
Migration does not happen in isolation. It is influenced by global events and long-term trends such as economic development, conflict, climate change, education, labour markets, and technological progress. Together, these factors shape the movement of people within and across countries.
Migration is rarely explained by a single reason. Understanding the many factors that influence migration helps us replace assumptions with knowledge and approach the topic with greater empathy and critical thinking.
Definitions:
- Migrant: Moves place to place for work or other reasons; may move internally or internationally; temporary or permanent.
- International migrant: a person who has changed his or her country of residence and has resided in a foreign country for more than one year irrespective of the causes, voluntary or involuntary. This includes all migrants, regardless of their legal status, or the nature, or motive of their movement/
- Immigrant: In the global context, a non-resident (both national or alien) arriving in a State with the intention to remain for a period exceeding a year.
- Emigrant: In the global context, a resident (national or alien) departing or exiting from one State intending to remain abroad for a period exceeding one year.
- Refugee: someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion (the legal definition by the 1951 United Nations Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees). UNHCR expanded definition refers to “persons fleeing the civil wars and ethnic, tribal and religious violence and whose country of origin is unwilling or unable to protect them”. Because not all countries agree with it, they have developed different procedures and protection for people asking for refugee status (see Denmark).
- Asylum seeker: the person who asks for asylum, but whose request is not decided yet.
- Internally Displaced Person (IDP) – Someone forced to leave their home but who remains within their own country.
Europe is the most attractive destination for migrants, with 87 million international migrants lived in Europe, aka 31% of the global international migrant stock and 20% of EU population. [Source: IOM, UN Migration]
Immigrants in Denmark
The population of Denmark on 1 September 2023: 5,952,575, with Danish origin: 84.6%,
Immigrants &Descendants of immigrants: 15.4%. Population over 100: 1188 (Septemeber 2023)
Immigrants &Descendants of immigrants: 15.4%. Population over 100: 1188 (Septemeber 2023)
Source: https://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/emner/borgere/befolkning/indvandrere-og-efterkommere
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Source: https://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/emner/borgere/befolkning/indvandrere-og-efterkommere
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In Denmark, asylum seekers typically request asylum after entering the country, often as undocumented migrants. After the asylum request, the applicant is relocated to a central reception center until the formal application process commences.
Once the asylum application process is concluded the application is either rejected, or refugee status is provided as a temporary residence permit, for 1 year from 2019. Extensions (2 years) are granted when the reason for protection still holds. After a period of settlement in the country (9 years currently), knowing the language at intermediate level and min. 2.5 years of employment, refugees can apply for permanent residency.
There are 18 asylum camps in total; the number was 98 in 2015. There are around 2,500 people accommodated in the asylum camps, out of these 700 are staying in one of the three deportation camps.
Once the asylum application process is concluded the application is either rejected, or refugee status is provided as a temporary residence permit, for 1 year from 2019. Extensions (2 years) are granted when the reason for protection still holds. After a period of settlement in the country (9 years currently), knowing the language at intermediate level and min. 2.5 years of employment, refugees can apply for permanent residency.
There are 18 asylum camps in total; the number was 98 in 2015. There are around 2,500 people accommodated in the asylum camps, out of these 700 are staying in one of the three deportation camps.
Source: Refugee migration and the labour market: lessons from 40 years of post-arrival policies in Denmark, Jacob Nielsen Arendt, Christian Dustmann, Hyejin Ku, Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Volume 38, Issue 3, Autumn 2022, Pages 531–556, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxrep/grac021
Source: https://www.statbank.dk/
Source: https://stat.link/a6qvbz
INFO FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS in Denmark:
You must be in the territory of Denmark, or at a port of entry (an airport, land border crossing check point or seaport) before you can apply for asylum in Denmark. You do not need to have a residence permit in order to apply for asylum .
If you are afraid to return to your home country or the country where you lived previously because of grounded fear of violence, persecution, war or if you are in danger of suffering serious harm in that country, you can apply for protection in Denmark. The first step to receiving international protection is to apply for asylum.
You can apply for asylum by contacting the police at the Danish border, at an airport, or showing up in person at a police station in Denmark or the police station in the Reception Centre Sandholm.
If you are afraid to return to your home country or the country where you lived previously because of grounded fear of violence, persecution, war or if you are in danger of suffering serious harm in that country, you can apply for protection in Denmark. The first step to receiving international protection is to apply for asylum.
You can apply for asylum by contacting the police at the Danish border, at an airport, or showing up in person at a police station in Denmark or the police station in the Reception Centre Sandholm.
Building Back More Inclusive Labour Markets
Ukrainian Refugees in Denmark
The war against Ukraine has led to the largest refugee surge In Europe since the end of World War II. One of the particularities of this mass displacement is the most of them are women, about 70% of all adult refugees, while most men stay home to defend their country. This is in contrast to inflows of asylum seekers recorded in past crises, which predominantly consisted of men.
People arriving from Ukraine may be entitled to a temporary residence permit in Denmark under the Special Act (the Danish law on temporary residence permits for refugees from Ukraine). You may be eligible for a temporary residence permit in Denmark if you are a:
You will find more information on how to apply for a temporary residence permit in Denmark on the website of the Danish immigration authorities:
You can also print the form and fill it out by hand. If you choose this option, then you need to book an appointment with the Danish Immigration Service’s Citizen Service, and choose the closest location to you. If you have children under 18 who also wish to apply for a temporary residence permit, you must include their information in the same form. You do not need to make a separate application for your children if they are under 18 years old.
We recommend that you prepare the documents you need before you start filling out the form. For example, your passport or other identity documents, your family members’ passports or identity documents, your documents showing that you were granted refugee status in Ukraine, etc.
The decision to grant a temporary residence permit to Ukrainians in Denmark and issue a residence permit is made by the Danish Immigration Service (DIS). The Danish Immigration Service will send you a letter to the address that you have provided to them upon registration as soon as they have made a decision on your application. The Danish Immigration Service will also contact you if they need further information from you.
The Danish Immigration Service tries to make decisions as soon as possible. They cannot give a specific timeline for decisions because of the high number of applications. It will depend on whether they have all the information they need or need more information from you.
Information, rights and obligations for Temporary Protection from Ukraine in Denmark
People who are not eligible for collective Temporary Protection in DenmarkIf you have been denied a temporary residence permit in Denmark, you can find information on available next steps on the website of the Danish Immigration Service, available in English, Ukrainian and Danish. There you will find information on how to appeal the negative decision, if you can apply for other types of residence permits or asylum, etc.
If you are not eligible for a temporary residence permit in Denmark, it may be possible for you to apply for asylum or remain in Denmark on other grounds. You can also call the Danish Immigration Service at 📞 +45 35 36 66 00 (Mondays to Wednesdays 9.00–15.00, Thursdays 12.00–17.00, and Fridays 9.00–12.00).
People arriving from Ukraine may be entitled to a temporary residence permit in Denmark under the Special Act (the Danish law on temporary residence permits for refugees from Ukraine). You may be eligible for a temporary residence permit in Denmark if you are a:
- a citizen of Ukraine who used to live in Ukraine and had to flee the country on 1 February 2022 or after, and is currently in Denmark or staying on the Faroe Islands,
- a foreigner in Ukraine who had refugee status[A1] in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and had to flee the country on 24 February 2022 or after,
- a citizen of Ukraine or a foreigner or stateless person who had refugee status in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and who was staying in Denmark or had a residence permit in Denmark on 24 February 2022,
- a close family member to a person in Denmark who has been granted a residence permit under the Danish law on residence permits for refugees from Ukraine (called the “Special Act”).
- a spouse or partner
- underage unmarried child (under 18 years old)
- other close relatives who lived in the same household and were dependent of the Ukrainian citizen
You will find more information on how to apply for a temporary residence permit in Denmark on the website of the Danish immigration authorities:
- How to apply for a temporary residence permit if you are in Denmark, and you are a Ukrainian citizen, available in English, Ukrainian and Danish.
- How to apply for a temporary residence permit if you are in Denmark, and you were recognized as a refugee in Ukraine, available in English, Ukrainian and Danish.
- How to apply if you are a family member of a person in Denmark fleeing from Ukraine, available in English, Ukrainian and Danish.
- How to apply if you are in the Faroe Islands and are fleeing Ukraine, available in English and Danish.
You can also print the form and fill it out by hand. If you choose this option, then you need to book an appointment with the Danish Immigration Service’s Citizen Service, and choose the closest location to you. If you have children under 18 who also wish to apply for a temporary residence permit, you must include their information in the same form. You do not need to make a separate application for your children if they are under 18 years old.
We recommend that you prepare the documents you need before you start filling out the form. For example, your passport or other identity documents, your family members’ passports or identity documents, your documents showing that you were granted refugee status in Ukraine, etc.
The decision to grant a temporary residence permit to Ukrainians in Denmark and issue a residence permit is made by the Danish Immigration Service (DIS). The Danish Immigration Service will send you a letter to the address that you have provided to them upon registration as soon as they have made a decision on your application. The Danish Immigration Service will also contact you if they need further information from you.
The Danish Immigration Service tries to make decisions as soon as possible. They cannot give a specific timeline for decisions because of the high number of applications. It will depend on whether they have all the information they need or need more information from you.
Information, rights and obligations for Temporary Protection from Ukraine in Denmark
- If you have been granted a temporary residence permit in Denmark, you can find information on your rights and obligations on the website of the Danish Immigration Service, available in Ukrainian, English and Danish. This temporary residence permit is valid until 17 March 2024.
- Read more information about your stay in Denmark, where you can live, work in Denmark, and healthcare, on the website of the Danish Immigration Service, available in English.
- Read more about the temporary residence permit, asylum and integration for Ukrainians in Denmark, as well as useful contacts on our partner’s website, the Danish Refugee Council, available in English, Ukrainian and Russian. The Danish Refugee Council has also opened a hotline for Ukrainians in Denmark that you can contact by dialling +45 3373 5151 (Mondays to Fridays, 9.00-12.00).
- If you are now in Denmark and coming from Ukraine, you can reunite with your family. You will find information and guidance on the online portal of the Danish immigration authorities, available in English, Ukrainian and Danish.
People who are not eligible for collective Temporary Protection in DenmarkIf you have been denied a temporary residence permit in Denmark, you can find information on available next steps on the website of the Danish Immigration Service, available in English, Ukrainian and Danish. There you will find information on how to appeal the negative decision, if you can apply for other types of residence permits or asylum, etc.
If you are not eligible for a temporary residence permit in Denmark, it may be possible for you to apply for asylum or remain in Denmark on other grounds. You can also call the Danish Immigration Service at 📞 +45 35 36 66 00 (Mondays to Wednesdays 9.00–15.00, Thursdays 12.00–17.00, and Fridays 9.00–12.00).
MIGRANT WOMEN
The Ukrainian refugees crisis in Europe is atypical, being mostly composed by women, fact which put a light on the the lack of a gender focus in immigration approaches. In general, men arrive first and women tend to arrive with family unification. The good part is that the arrival is easier by this chanel, but the pitfall is that family migrants are the blind spot in migration and integration policies.
They often do not benefit from structured integration programmes, such as those available for humanitarian migrants, nor from a job offer as do labour migrants. In addition, whenever family migrants are taken care of by their sponsor and do not rely on benefits, they are often not the target of integration measures. Therefore, immigrant women face a triple disadvantage – as women, as migrants and forgotten by the policy makers. Plus, in some cultures, women should stay at home, taking care of the family and kids, so there is no incentive to learn the host country language, find a job and integrate in the new world. The gender-blind integration policies, and home-culture features reinforce each other. As a result, in most European countries, the gender gap in migrant employment is minimum twice as large as the gender gap among the native-born.
FREYR Institute activities focus on the needs and vulnerabilities of immigrant women, as:
- young mothers strongly bond to children and home care, with limited time for learning the local language or for seeking a job, education, skilling or upskilling
- gender equality awareness
- potential domestic abuse awareness and possible actions
- financial literacy
Knowing that the migrant mothers are key drivers in the education of their children and play an important role in the transmission of values, speaking the local language, having an income, understanding the value of gender equality will have a positive impact of their children.
DATA: Women & Girls on the Move
They often do not benefit from structured integration programmes, such as those available for humanitarian migrants, nor from a job offer as do labour migrants. In addition, whenever family migrants are taken care of by their sponsor and do not rely on benefits, they are often not the target of integration measures. Therefore, immigrant women face a triple disadvantage – as women, as migrants and forgotten by the policy makers. Plus, in some cultures, women should stay at home, taking care of the family and kids, so there is no incentive to learn the host country language, find a job and integrate in the new world. The gender-blind integration policies, and home-culture features reinforce each other. As a result, in most European countries, the gender gap in migrant employment is minimum twice as large as the gender gap among the native-born.
FREYR Institute activities focus on the needs and vulnerabilities of immigrant women, as:
- young mothers strongly bond to children and home care, with limited time for learning the local language or for seeking a job, education, skilling or upskilling
- gender equality awareness
- potential domestic abuse awareness and possible actions
- financial literacy
Knowing that the migrant mothers are key drivers in the education of their children and play an important role in the transmission of values, speaking the local language, having an income, understanding the value of gender equality will have a positive impact of their children.
DATA: Women & Girls on the Move
Building Inclusive Communities
Inclusive communities do not happen automatically, they are not built by chance. They are built when people, institutions and organisations work together to create environments where everyone feels respected, has equal opportunities and can actively participate in community life. When people work together, diversity becomes a source of innovation, resilience, and social cohesion.
What Makes Communities Inclusive?
🏘 Belonging: Everyone feels valued.
⚖ Equal Opportunities: People can participate on equal terms.
🤝 Participation: Everyone has a voice.
🌍 Respect for Diversity: Differences are recognised as strengths.
💬 Dialogue: People learn from one another.
❤️ Shared Responsibility: Building inclusion is everyone's responsibility.
⚖ Human Rights: Everyone's dignity and rights are respected and protected.
Reflection: Different journeys. Shared communities.
PRACTICAL Ideas💡What Can I Do?
What Makes Communities Inclusive?
🏘 Belonging: Everyone feels valued.
⚖ Equal Opportunities: People can participate on equal terms.
🤝 Participation: Everyone has a voice.
🌍 Respect for Diversity: Differences are recognised as strengths.
💬 Dialogue: People learn from one another.
❤️ Shared Responsibility: Building inclusion is everyone's responsibility.
⚖ Human Rights: Everyone's dignity and rights are respected and protected.
Reflection: Different journeys. Shared communities.
- How do I react when I meet someone from a different cultural background?
- What assumptions do I make?
- What helps people feel that they belong?
- What helps people feel welcomed and valued?
- How can I contribute to creating a greater sense of belonging in my school, workplace, or community?
- What can I learn from people whose experiences are different from my own?
PRACTICAL Ideas💡What Can I Do?
- Learn about different cultures and perspectives.
- Listening before judging.
- Listen with curiosity rather than assumptions.
- Challenge stereotypes and misinformation respectfully.
- Welcome newcomers into community activities.
- Support intercultural dialogue.
- Encourage respectful dialogue across differences.
- Stand against discrimination and exclusion.
- Celebrate diversity while recognising our shared humanity.
- Promote equal opportunities.
Other stakeholders providing integration services:
Resources:
- International Migration Outlook 2023 OECD - here
- Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2023 OECD - here
- Skills and Labour Market - here
- Integration of young people with foreign-born parents - here
- Global Data Institute
- Migration Data Portal
- Global Migration Data Analysis Centre
- Missing Migrants Project
- Displacement Tracking Matrix
- Global Data Hub on Human Trafficking
- European Migration Network
- InterGovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees (IGC)
- Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD)
- Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development (Rabat Process)
- UN Migration Network
- What are my rights and obligations as asylum seeker? - here
- Applying for family reunification - here
