Migrant community-based organizations (MCBOs) are key mediating structures between immigrants and host societies. However, when implementing this role in host societies, MCBOs often face a number of challenges that reduce their chances to be effective in promoting social justice. This paper aims to analyze the challenges that MCBOs settled in Milan (Northern Italy) experience and the coping strategies that they use in order to provide some guidelines on how to support them. In-depth interviews, observations and document analysis with 15 MCBOs were conducted. Based on a situational analysis, we present the main challenges perceived by MCBOs at three levels: internal (i.e., surviving), inter-organizational (i.e., collaborating) and community (i.e., being recognized as mediating actors). We provide specific guidelines for action on how to address such challenges and thus foster the role of MCBOs as mediating structures in receiving societies.

移民社区组织（MCBO）是移民与东道国社会之间的关键调解结构。然而，当在东道国社会发挥这一作用时，MCBO 经常面临许多挑战，这些挑战减少了它们有效促进社会正义的机会。本文旨在分析在米兰（意大利北部）定居的 MCBO 所经历的挑战以及他们所采用的应对策略，以便为如何支持他们提供一些指导。对15家MCBO进行了深入访谈、观察和文献分析。基于情境分析，我们在三个层面提出了 MCBO 所面临的主要挑战：内部（即生存）、组织间（即合作）和社区（即被视为调解参与者）。我们提供了如何应对此类挑战的具体行动指南，从而促进 MCBO 作为接收社会的调解结构的作用。