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Innovative approach to refugee settlement

"Better Settlement" is an innovative digital service developed in collaboration with IMDi, aimed at improving the settlement process for refugees in Norway. This involves finding the most suitable settlement municipality for each individual refugee, based on their individual needs and competencies, as well as the municipality's offerings and services.

About IMDi

The Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) is responsible for implementing the government's integration policy and is under the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion. IMDi's vision is to ensure "equal opportunities, rights, and responsibilities in a diverse society." As part of this, IMDi aims to facilitate the participation of more immigrants in work and society.

Background

IMDi needs to:

  • address the limitations that today's specialized system for settlement imposes on change pace, flexibility, and adaptability in settlement work.
  • meet expectations and respond to assignments outlined in letters of allocation from the Ministry of Labor and Social Inclusion.
  • ensure that settlement work supports the objectives of the Integration Act.
  • meet users' needs to perform their tasks efficiently and effectively.

 

What does Better Settlement entail?

Better Settlement will be delivered through several development phases, with associated partial deliveries that gradually build functionality and value for users. The first delivery has focused on mapping refugees' backgrounds and competencies. Other necessary information to gather before settlement includes details about a person's connection to Norway and any accommodation needs. This information will contribute to more accurate settlements and enable municipalities to find suitable housing and other relevant tasks before, during, and after settlement.

The next development phases will focus on mapping capacity and service offerings in municipalities, as well as developing an efficient matching process between refugees and municipalities. This process will compare refugees' competencies and needs with municipal service offerings and labor markets.

NB: All illustrations show synthetic test data

A new digital form for streamlined information handling

Gathering settlement-relevant information occurs in various ways under different actors' auspices. Asylum reception centres register settlement-relevant information about residents while the host municipality maps their competencies. IMDi maps transferred refugees before arriving in Norway.

Mapping interviews are conducted using a digital form available through a web browser. This form contains questions about competencies, accommodation needs, connections to Norway, and lifestyles.

NB: All illustrations show synthetic test data

Focus on solution maintenance from the start

In developing the solution, we have also included principles for 'Application Lifecycle Management' (ALM), an important part of modern software development that provides a holistic perspective on system functionality, operation, and maintenance. Teams work side by side to deliver both functionality and maintenance with a lifecycle mindset.

The benefits of ALM include reduced operational and maintenance costs, improved user experience, and more efficient resource utilization.

These principles help create a strong focus on lifecycle management while promoting closer collaboration between developers and maintenance workers. This has resulted in technical solution managers being able to continue focusing on lifecycle aspects contributing to creating more sustainable robust systems. By implementing an ALM approach from the start, time, money, and frustration can be saved long-term while ensuring better user experiences at lower overall costs for solutions.

 

Benefits of Better Settlement

  • A more efficient automated process that reduces manual labor
  • A central system for storing access to information about refugees
  • A more precise mapping of refugees’ competencies and needs consistent with requirements set out in new integration legislation
  • Better conditions for adjustments or changes within digital systems related to settlement

By improving and simplifying efforts in finding a settlement municipality,
Better Settlement will contribute towards swift accurate settlements so that each refugee receives an individually tailored targeted introduction program.

Let's talk about technology and innovation

Let's talk about technology and innovation
Karl-August Brunstad
Head of Public

Karl-August Brunstad