Western Balkans

The Western Balkans region is a key area in European migration dynamics, serving both as a transit corridor and a region of origin for migration. Many individuals from the region migrate for work, education, or family reunification, making it essential to recognise the Western Balkans not only as a transit route but also as a place of origin for migration. In addition to addressing irregular migration, migrant smuggling, and return and reintegration challenges, the ICMPD team in the region also engages in legal migration, visa policies, and diaspora-related matters. Strengthening migration governance requires a comprehensive approach that includes regional cooperation, policy harmonisation, and international partnerships.

Where we work:

• Albania
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kosovo*
• Montenegro
• North Macedonia
• Serbia

ICMPD has longstanding partnerships with all six Western Balkans partners (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), three of which (Bosnia and Herzegovina -2012, North Macedonia - 2015, and Serbia -2014) are ICMPD Member States.

In January 2025, ICMPD established a dedicated Western Balkans structure and appointed a Special Representative for the region. ICMPD has a well-established presence in the region, with active offices in Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Skopje.

*This reference should be understood in the context of UNSCR 1244/99.

ICMPD’s role and engagement in the region

The Western Balkans is a priority region for the European Union, given its strategic role in migration management and EU accession processes. ICMPD plays a pivotal role in facilitating EU-Western Balkans partners by ensuring alignment with European migration standards (particularly under Chapter 24 on justice, freedom, and security) and by promoting regional cooperation to ensure coordinated efforts in migration governance.

ICMPD’s diverse portfolio establishes our organisation as a key actor in the Western Balkans, with projects and initiatives spanning border management and security, combatting human trafficking and migrant smuggling, visa facilitation, labour mobility, diaspora engagement, migration research, and return and readmission. Our active collaboration with Western Balkan authorities, including policymakers, ministries, law enforcement agencies, and non-state actors reinforces our commitment to fostering effective cooperation across all migration-related sectors. 

ICMPD's approach in the Western Balkans

• Strengthening Institutions and Enhancing Migration Governance

ICMPD is at the forefront of improving migration governance in the Western Balkans. Recognising its complexity, we promote a multi-stakeholder approach that brings together governments, law enforcement, and civil society to build institutional capacity, enhance policy frameworks, and develop sustainable migration management systems. Through capacity development, technical expertise, legal and policy guidance, and good practice exchanges, ICMPD supports the development of well-coordinated, efficient, and long-term migration strategies across the region.

• Aligning with ICMPD’s Strategic Objectives and the EU Accession Process

ICMPD’s work in the Western Balkans is closely aligned with its broader strategic objectives, supporting the development of effective and well-governed migration systems. We assist Western Balkan partners in aligning their migration policies with EU standards, playing a pivotal role in their EU accession process. This involves enhancing legal and institutional frameworks, improving border and migration management systems, promoting legal migration opportunities, and fostering transnational cooperation, all ensuring adherence to European and international standards.

• Advancing Cross-Border and Intra-Regional Cooperation

ICMPD supports a "whole-of-route" or “route-based” approach in partner countries to address migration challenges effectively. Our work focuses on fostering dialogue and collaboration between governments, international organisations, and non-state actors on regional, EU and global levels. In the Western Balkans, ICMPD actively engages with all six partners in an approach carefully tailored to each local context, ensuring alignment with national policies and priorities, and enhancing national capacities, local ownership, and sustainable approaches to migration management. We ensure that regional frameworks are effectively translated into national policies, contributing to a harmonised and coordinated approach to migration governance.

Promoting cooperation between Western Balkan partners and EU Member States is integral to migration governance. ICMPD’s added value lies in its strong partnerships with EU Member States, particularly through project implementation in close coordination with national authorities and within structured consortia. This approach ensures the provision of first-hand expertise and guidance in aligning migration policies and practices with EU standards, with support of our Vienna-based and Brussels-based offices. Our projects are implemented in partnership with EU agencies. Civil society organisations also play a key role in fostering inclusive, participatory approaches in these efforts. 

Our work extends beyond the Western Balkans, connecting us with the main countries of origin for migrants travelling along the Western Balkan migration route. We maximise our impact through close intra-regional collaborations and strategic engagement with key stakeholders across different regions. Our coordination with the other ICMPD regions where the organisation has presence (such as the Silk Routes and Mediterranean regions), plays a crucial role in fostering communication and coordination with countries of origin. These connections enable us to facilitate dialogue with authorities in key partner countries while ensuring that migration policies are implemented with a deep understanding of cultural sensitivities. By leveraging our regional presence and expertise, we bridge cooperation between the Western Balkans and third countries, ensuring effectiveness and sustainability of migration management efforts.

Current Projects and Initiatives

ICMPD currently manages several impactful projects in the region:

• Western Balkan Return Mechanism (WBRM) Project – Support to the Western Balkans on Targeted Operationalisation of Returns of Third-Country Nationals
• EMPOWER – Establishment of the National Program for Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration of the Republic of Serbia
• TASLE – Strengthening Law Enforcement Capacities to Fight Organised Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• NATC Network – Network of Anti-Trafficking Coordinators in South- Eastern Europe

Projects and initiatives led by ICMPD driven facilities

The WB team actively collaborates with colleagues from other ICMPD regions, leveraging cross-regional expertise and synergies. Several key initiatives in the WB region, supported by the Migration Partnership Facility or implemented by the Return and Reintegration Facility, are underway or have been completed in the Western Balkans.

Projects supported by Migration Partnership Facility

• MANOMA - Strengthening of the Migration and Asylum Management System in the Republic of North Macedonia
• VCBB - Visa Capacity Building in Bosnia and Herzegovina 
• MIRCO - Strengthening the regional cooperation on migration management between Western Balkans and neighbouring EU Member States in accordance with EU Acquis and international standards

Projects implemented by the Return and Reintegration Facility

• AFA - Airport Facilities Assessment
• RUM - Reaching Undocumented Migrants