What is EASI?

The EQUAL Empowering Asylum Seekers to Integrate Development Partnership (EASI DP) aims to combat discrimination in the labour market and contribute to the social and vocational integration of asylum seekers by enabling them to acquire skills in preparation for employment.

EASI believes:

• Integration begins from day one.
• Good information is a step towards effective integration.
• In a person-centred approach to preparing asylum seekers for the labour market.
• English language should be taught the way people learn their mother tongue. 
• In engaging asylum seekers in work that builds on their skills and experience.
• Asylum seekers have pride and should be engaged in worthwhile activities whilst waiting for a decision.
• Volunteering brings benefits to organisations, individuals and the wider community.
• Volunteering aids wellbeing and lets asylum seekers contribute to society.

EASI is concerned about restrictions preventing:

• Many asylum seekers accessing ESOL from the day of arrival.
• Most asylum seekers permission to work in the UK.

EASI succeeds:

• With consultation and guidance from the EASI Advisory Group.
• In bringing volunteering programmes for asylum seekers to Hungarian labour centres.
• In empowering women by delivering accelerated English courses where they live.
• In providing asylum seekers with greater knowledge of their rights and entitlements.
• To influence policy, training through volunteering can now be accredited.