European migrants in Scotland need your support & solidarity

Since the Brexit vote, the Citizens Rights Project has been a lifeline for thousands of EU citizens in Scotland, helping them secure their futures in a country where their status suddenly became uncertain. While our initial focus was on ensuring 'settled status' for EU nationals and their families, today, our work is more vital than ever. The demand for our services has surged to pre-deadline levels as many continue to navigate the complexities of the EU Settlement Scheme. To meet these growing needs, we've expanded our services to include essential welfare support, addressing the pressing issues of housing, benefits, and employment that many now face.

Our project, a registered charity, has evolved into the go-to organization for EU nationals and other European citizens across Scotland. We are unique in providing a free, Scotland-wide service in 19 European languages, offering tailored support that bridges language and cultural barriers. Since our inception, we’ve dealt with nearly 4,000 individual cases and queries. Our outreach has been extensive, with nearly 300 events related to the EU Settlement Scheme organized online and across Scotland. These events have reached over 8,000 participants in person and more than 60,000 people online.

At the core of our mission is the tangible impact we make on the lives of EU migrants in Scotland by bridging language and cultural gaps. Meet some of the individuals whose lives have been positively transformed:

• Ana González (fictional name): When Ana faced deportation, the Citizens Rights Project stepped in. Our team worked tirelessly and with a very tight deadline after the case was referred by the Spanish Consulate in Edinburgh to make sure the UK Border Force, which initially stopped her at the airport, reversed their incorrect decision and allowed her to enter back into Scotland. In Almudena's words: “Before discovering Citizens Rights Project, I was absolutely disoriented because I didn't know how to solve my problem. The emotional turmoil and challenges were overwhelming.”

• Jānis Bērziņš (fictional name): In December 2023, we received the referral of Jānis a 40-year-old Latvian man. At the time, he had no legal status in the UK, and was struggling with significant mental health challenges, including persistent suicidal thoughts and previous attempts to end his life. Isolated in Scotland with no family or friends, he had been residing in the UK since 2011, primarily employed on various fruit farms. Unfortunately, his employment was terminated due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a severe deterioration in his mental well-being. Since then, he had relied on food parcels. Shortly before he was referred to us, he had been made homeless. We made a referral to the Community Mental Health Team, and assisted him in registering with a GP. A collaborative effort between our staff and the local council homelessness team helped gather supporting evidence to make a late application to the Home Office. That application was then granted within 24 hours. With that positive outcome, the client has been given the opportunity to rebuild his life, actively pursue employment, apply for benefits, and soon commence repayment of his rent arrears.

We do receive some grants to allow us to carry out our important work. But we don’t receive sufficient funding to cover all that we need. That is why we have launched this appeal.

Your donation will help us to:

Fund our overhead costs (mainly office rent and utilities). The funding we receive doesn’t cover all these costs, and it is essential we maintain our physical presence and can continue providing in-person support. Your contribution directly contributes to the infrastructure that sustains our services.

Ensure that the voices of European migrants are heard. Advocacy is at the core of our mission. Your contribution supports our representation in key forums, influencing policies that directly impact EU nationals in Scotland. In the past, for instance, we have ensured EU migrants participation in inquiries and consultations from the Fair Work Convention inquiry on the hospitality sector and the Human Rights Consortium Scotland responses to the Scottish Government’s “A Human Rights Bill for Scotland” consultations. We have recently been asked to participate in the Scottish Government Covid19 inquiry. Our intervention has allowed many EU migrants to voice their opinions, concerns as well as the challenges they face in their day-to-day lives in Scotland.

Support our ‘European Citizens Rights Centre’. This service provides support, in a number of European languages, for EU and other European citizens seeking assistance with housing, employment, benefits, and dealing with public and private sector bureaucracy. Our existing staff resources are insufficient to meet a growing need – we urgently need funds to help us meet that need.

Build our reserves, for long-term stability. Building reserves is essential for the sustainability of our organisation. It allows us to weather financial uncertainties, invest in staff development, and plan for the future, ensuring that our services remain a reliable lifeline for the community.

Your support goes beyond funding; it transforms lives, empowers communities, and ensures that European migrants in Scotland have a dedicated ally in their corner.

Please give today – every donation, big or small, will make a difference.