Civil society contributions to the integration of refugees in Norway : a case study of the Norwegian Red Cross Refugee Guide Program in Bærum Municipality

Abstract

This thesis is a qualitative case study that investigate the contribution of the Norwegian Red Cross (NRC) to integration of refugees. The thesis taking the NRC’s Refugee Guide Programme in Bærum municipality as a case study. The main themes of the thesis are the contribution of Norwegian Red Cross to integration of refugees in Bærum municipality, the role of the Refugee Guide Programme to integration of refugees in Bærum and the sustainability of the Refugee Guide Programme in Bærum. Through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations with the key stakeholders involved in the Refugee Guide Programme. The thesis found that NRC’s Refugee Guide Programme is able to contribute for the integration of refugees in Bærum municipality. The findings show that both refugee and guide informants have been affected by their participation in Refugee Guide Programme. The findings show that there were many pragmatic effects experienced, primarily by the refugee informants. These pragmatic effects included aspects such as practicing the Norwegian language, building a social network, finding work, and being active within the local community. Additionally, some refugee informants adopted or accepted new patterns, attitudes, or behaviours. However, there are many weakness and strengths that influences the sustainability of Refugee Guide Program and its impact on integration of refugees in Bærum municipality.