02412nas a2200253   4500008004100000022001400041245011800055210006900173300001000242490000700252520157300259653001401832653001601846653003201862653001301894653001701907653001001924100001901934700001801953700001801971700001901989700001902008856013102027       2023                        eng d  a2300-168200aVolunteering as a Means of Fostering Integration and Intercultural Relations. Evidence from Six European Contexts0 aVolunteering as a Means of Fostering Integration and Intercultur  a49-630 v123 a<p>Migrant integration remains a continuous challenge in many EU countries, as shown by the retreat from multiculturalism and the concerns regarding Muslim migrants. In recent years, the increase in asylum-seekers has added further complexities to the issue. Meanwhile, volunteering is considered to be an important aspect of today&rsquo;s society and a thermometer of civic well-being. Bringing together the field of migration studies and research on volunteering, we investigate whether volunteering would foster processes of integration and intercultural relations. We do so by presenting an innovative empirical study based on interviews and self-administered questionnaires conducted at two points in time over a period of about a year in a specific setting that brought together EU and third-country nationals in volunteering activities in six European contexts. Thus, we are able to provide an in-depth account of volunteering experiences and their effects on intercultural relations and processes of integration. The research highlights how volunteering fosters social interactions, intersecting with dynamics of inclusion. It is a valuable tool that strengthens the community as well as the process of social integration, helping to overcome the tensions and conflicts that persist in European societies. At the same time, we argue that volunteering cannot make up for all integration challenges since the process of societal integration requires a more comprehensive approach which includes tackling discrimination in structural integration.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>10abelonging10aintegration10aintercultural understanding10amigrants10avolunteering10ayouth1 aCarlà, Andrea1 aFlarer, Heidi1 aLehner, Marie1 aMattes, Astrid1 aReeger, Ursula  uhttps://www.ceemr.uw.edu.pl/content/volunteering-means-fostering-integration-and-intercultural-relations-evidence-six-european