It is well documented that minority ethnic groups experience higher levels of poverty, social exclusion and greater barriers to accessing health, education and social services and equality of access to employment than majority indigenous populations in most European countries. Intercultural Mediation is an internationally recognised tool for overcoming the barriers to key services such as health, social protection, education, justice and law enforcement and also for overcoming the barriers in the workplace context, all of which are very often experienced by people from minority ethnic backgrounds. The practice of intercultural mediation involves a trained Intercultural mediator facilitating cross-cultural communication and mutual understanding between service users +/ workers from minority ethnic backgrounds and service provider and/or employers with the objective of achieving a high quality of service, participation and outcome for each party. Intercultural Mediators can work in a wide range of services. These include health and social services, education, judicial and law enforcement agencies, business and other employment, public administration. Their role is to :•facilitate cross-cultural communication and mutual understanding between migrant service users and service providers / NGOs / public administration/ employment bodies; schools and other educational establishments•empower migrant service users to communicate their service needs more clearly and effectively and participate more equally in their new societies, taking culturally related nuances into account •assist service providers deliver a culturally competent and culturally sensitive service•Promote diversity and equality of participation in the work place•advocate for migrants and their families.The aim of this project is to share and further refine and customise, the learning, training and practice of Intercultural Mediation which has already been developed by the lead partner, Culture Connect, with four other EU partners by:•Customising the methodology to the particular country and organisation culture and needs of each partner•Delivering training programmes in Intercultural Mediation to a small number of participants from minority ethnic backgrounds in each partner country.•Evaluating the effectiveness of ICM in a range of services. educational institutions and places of employment•Devise and publish a web- based Guide to Training and Guidelines for Best Practice in Intercultural Mediation•Developing an internationally recognised certification system for the training. +•creating, promote and test a new standard for a professional role of Intercultural Mediator within each partner countryThe project will work closely with migrant participants, with NGOs supporting migrants, with service providers and educators and with employers in the development, implementation and ensuring the long term sustainability of the projectExpected results during and after the projectThe project will create a systemic, comprehensive and empowering solution to overcoming the barriers encountered by people from minority ethnic backgrounds / refugees / migrants in access and outcomes to a broad range of essential sectors within mainstream society: health and social services; education and entering and equality in employmentIt will also raise awareness of these barriers amongst a range of health, social service and education providers, employers, and other key actors with whom the project impinges on and promote a commitment to dealing with them. The project will also leave a legacy of tangible results:•A maximum of 3 trained and experienced mediators in each country•An internationally tested and evaluated methodology for training Intercultural Mediators equipped to work in a range of sectors •A set of guidelines for the selection of participants •A code of practice for Intercultural Mediators•A professionalisation of the role of Intercultural Mediator The project will be designed and implemented by five partner organisations, from five different corners of EuropeCulture Connect, Drogheda, IrelandFundacia Diversity Hub, Krakow, PolandYork Associates, York UKRuni, Sofia BulgariaCentrul Pentru Promoverea Invataru Permanente Timosoara, RomaniaThe partners are engaged in a range of training and capacity building actions aimed at the integration of migrants and refugees and promoting interculturalism in their respective organisations. They will bring their very diverse skills and expertise to the project. Potential Long Term Benefits:•Empowering refugees and migrants and developing their social capital•Creating a broader awareness of interculturalism across society•Promoting cultural competence in education, health and social service, the workplace•Project outputs including the training programme, code of practice, job description for Intercultural Mediation will be available for wider use after project finishes