Since 2015, new forms of citizen mobilization have emerged. These initiatives, mostly local, aim to address a dual challenge: providing immediate and concrete responses to the humanitarian issues faced by migrants arriving in France, and contributing to the development of a welcoming society.

In response to the lack of housing and reception solutions, many community-based groups and associations have formed to offer citizen-hosted accommodation for migrants. These efforts have grown and become more structured over time. In 2022, this form of hosting expanded significantly, becoming one of the main reception solutions for people displaced by the war in Ukraine.

Although citizen-based hosting now plays a significant role in the reception of migrants, it remains largely invisible, and the individuals and groups involved are rarely included in discussions and decision-making processes concerning migrant reception.

To address the need for experience-sharing and networking among organisations working on this issue locally, Synergies Migrations launched a Citizen Hosting Observatory in Lyon and the Rhône area in early 2023.

This project is guided by four key objectives, co-developed with the participating associations:

1. To provide a comprehensive overview of citizen hosting in the Rhône to better understand the initiatives implemented and assess the contribution of citizens to the reception of migrant in the Rhône;
2. To Facilitate the experience and information sharing among organisations offering citizen-hosted accommodation;
3. To Identify and analyse shared challenges related to citizen hosting;
4. To Promote dialogue with relevant stakeholders in order to explore improvements and develop collective responses.

The organisations actively involved in this initiative are: Aclaam, Forum Réfugiés, J’accueille, JRS Welcome Lyon, L’ouvre Porte, and Terre d’Ancrages.