The day began with a short organisational session covering key logistics for the upcoming field trip to Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria (June 2–5), including flights, transfers, accommodation, and the planned agenda.

Although the Bulgarian team was not present, the Oberhausen team took time to explore and reflect on a Good Practice example from Bulgaria, which had been shared in advance. The discussion focused on how this model could potentially be transferred and adapted to the local context in Oberhausen.

Building on these reflections, participants engaged in a creative session to outline initial ideas for a Pilot Project that would address migrant integration in the city, inspired by the Bulgarian example.

The session also included a presentation of EPIC-UP methods and toolkits, offering practical guidance and resources to support the next steps in the project.

The workshop concluded with a short planning round for the upcoming online meeting on May 20, where both teams will meet virtually for the first time, introduce themselves, and finalize preparations for the field trip.

What’s Next?

• Online Meeting – May 20, 2025: An introduction and planning meeting between the Oberhausen and Bulgarian teams.

• Field Trip to Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria – June 2–5, 2025: The Oberhausen team will travel to Bulgaria, where the local team will act as mentors and share their experience in migrant integration. The visit will help inform the development of a new pilot project back in Oberhausen.