MPI Europe report explores the promise of resettling refugees in small and rural communities, drawing on experiences in four countries to highlight opportunities and challenges

BRUSSELS — The COVID-19 pandemic has brought ambitious plans for refugee resettlement in Europe to a near halt. When resettlement resumes, small and rural communities could play an important role in ensuring its sustainability. Although most refugee and migrant populations are concentrated in urban centres, policymakers seeking to alleviate housing bottlenecks and public service strains in major cities increasingly are looking to the potential of ‘rural welcoming’ efforts.