Foreword 3

Acknowledgements 4

Introduction 7

  References 9

1 Foundations of integration governance. Objectives, strategies and legal frameworks 10

  1.1. Defining integration objectives 12

  1.2. Integration strategies 18

  1.3. Legal frameworks anchoring integration policy 20

  1.4. Key takeaways 22

  References 22

2 Aligning national, regional, and local integration efforts 23

  2.1. National responsibility for integration policy 24

  2.2. Implementation at different levels of government 29

  2.3. Subnational autonomy and role in policy design 31

  2.4. Co-ordination instruments 32

  2.5. Institutional stability and governance change 34

  2.6. Key takeaways 35

  References 36

3 Stakeholder engagement in integration governance 37

  3.1. Stakeholder involvement in policy design 38

  3.2. Stakeholder involvement in service delivery 41

  3.3. Key takeaways – conditions for effective and sustainable stakeholder engagement 45

  References 46

4 Financing integration. Sustainable and responsive funding models 47

  4.1. Sources of integration financing 48

  4.2. Organising national integration budgets 49

  4.3. Stability and flexibility in integration financing 50

  4.4. Allocation mechanisms between levels of government 51

  4.5. Financing of non‑governmental actors – contracting and procurement 52

  4.6. The role of EU funds in national integration financing 57

  4.7. Inclusive integration financing 59

  4.8. Building transparent and accountable funding systems 60

  4.9. Key takeaways 61

  References 62

  Notes 63

5 Evidence-based decision making 64

  5.1. Monitoring frameworks. Administrative and survey data 65

  5.2. Disaggregated data and differential outcomes 70

  5.3. Evaluation 70

  5.4. How evidence informs policy 71

  5.5. Key takeaways 72

  References 73

6 Transparent and accountable policies 74

  6.1. Legal foundations for accountability 75

  6.2. Reporting and public scrutiny 75

  6.3. Accountability mechanisms 76

  6.4. Key takeaways 78

  References 78

7 Navigating uncertainty. Innovation and policy adaptability 79

  7.1. From emergency response to long-term integration governance 80

  7.2. Pilot programmes and experimentation 83

  7.3. Institutional learning mechanisms 85

  7.4. Key takeaways – building resilient integration governance 86

  References 87