3.3 Helping to develop a national strategy to integrate migrants Supporting the integration of migrants remains a challenge for numerous OSCE participating States. While it is widely acknowledged that both host societies and migrant communities stand to gain from effective integration, many participating States lack the expertise needed to develop integration strategies that respect the human rights of migrants and work for the greater benefit of both the host society and migrant community. ODIHR works particularly closely with national and local authorities developing and providing integration services. In 2019, the Office published the Local Authorities’ Migrant Integration Guide, which shared good practices from across the OSCE region, as well as providing training to develop a better understanding of the need for a human rights-centred approach to integration. ODIHR also helps develop integration-related legislation, as well as national- and local-level integration strategies and action plans. Following their participation in an ODIHR event on good practices in migrant integration, Armenia’s state migration service requested the Office’s assistance in 2019 to help develop their national integration strategy. ODIHR has worked together with a local expert to develop the draft of the strategy, and the authorities have since incorporated most of the Office’s recommendations and subsequently requested assistance to develop action plans for implementing it. The strategy covers a wide range of aspects of the migrant integration process, including Armenian language 50 DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE support and access to employment, as well as healthcare, housing and education. ODIHR maintains close relations with stakeholders throughout the process of policy and strategy development. Personal contact and regular follow-up, as well as an effort to be present on the ground as often as possible, have all been key to success.