CULTUURLIJN. A Project that paves the way for social inclusion and empowerment of asylum seekers?

Abstract: International migration has increased considerably over the past decades, mainly due to a rise in the number of asylum seekers who have applied for international protection. Prior to arrival in Europe, the migrants have often passed a long journey, followed by a trying asylum process determining their legal status in the host country. The state of waiting and 'not knowing' for months or even years obviously affects the asylum seekers in complex ways. These factors do not only impinge on their human- and economic rights, but they also affect their mental health and ability to maintain a social life. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Cultuurlijn, a sociocultural project in Brussels could play a preventive role against the social exclusion of asylum seekers and enable them to feel more empowered. The research thus attempted to observe the contributions that NGO's can make in ensuring asylum seekers to enjoy some rights and freedoms that they are normally not entitled to. By employing a mixed methods approach, two perspectives of Cultuurlijn emerged: Participants' and Initiators' experiences. The findings that derived from this study provided us with new and important insights into the impacts a cultural project can have on participant asylum seekers' lives. We can identify several key factors that emerged as particularly significant. Notably, creating social networks, participating in the social and cultural life of the host society and learning the culture and language were stressed as particularly important. There were also significant elements in the initiators' and stakeholders' experiences of working with the project. The informants particularly stressed the value of social interactions and avoiding isolation. The project was also believed to contribute to an integration process taking place which can prepare the participants for a possible life in Belgium. The study conclusively showed that in absence of political belonging, the asylum seekers were in need of another form of belonging which was enabled through the activities of Cultuurlijn.The experiences of participating in the project thus served as a coping strategy and an escape from their difficult circumstances which became a way of survival.