Orientate newcomers by smart social mentoring (ORIENT8)

ORIENT8 is a smart social mentoring program supported by smart digital tools and tailored acitivities. It smartly pairs
newly arrived third country nationals (TCNs or newcomers) with the volunteer members of the local community in
order to help them overcome daily life difficulties at the early stages of their integration process. By developing this
program, we aim to improve the social orientation of newcomers, promote exchanges between newcomers and host
society and improve transnational cooperation and knowledge among practitioners.
During test/implementation, we provide direct support (through tailored activities and mentoring) to at least 1000
newcomers in 3 partner cities. We reach out and mobilize local communities, and support a wider number of
newcomers by smart digital tools (a mobile welcome application and a smart matching tool), which can sustainably
be used after the project as well. Finally, we share the findings and tools (through joint website, final conference and a
handbook) of the project with the wider EU community.
The main output of ORIENT8 is an ‘effective, efficient and durable’ smart social mentoring program. In order to
materialise this, we initially identify a set of guidelines. Accordingly, we develop tools (a mentor-mentee matching
tool using Artificial Intelligence, Welcome Application) and specific content for each of the 3 partner cities
(Mechelen/Belgium, Nikaia-Rentis/Greece and Sala/Sweden). We test/implement this program using developed tools
and activities (mentor training, city tours, infosessions, cultural events). After an evalution, we disseminate our final
improved program including developed tools, best practices and policy recommendations in a handbook and website
for the use of wider EU community.
Throughout the project duration, ORIENT8’s primary target group is newly arrived (less than 5 years) TCNs.
Secondary target group is the members of the local communities who are expected to interact with newcomers.