Summary
The project aims to contribute to countering irregular migration, enhancing effective, safe and dignified return and readmission, and promoting and contributing to effective initial reintegration in third countries (countries of origin).
The project specifically addresses irregular and secondary migration flows from or through Serbia to Germany and other countries in the European Union. Its approach is centred on strengthening national migration governance structures, enhancing the institutional and operational capacities, and developing robust, state-led return counselling mechanisms that align with EU standards by explicitly supporting the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia (SCRM).
Project Activities
Successful completion and handover of newly renovated sanitary facilities at the Reception Center Principovac, Serbia, implemented under the EMPOWER project with the financial support from Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
The Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, Nataša Stanisavljević, chaired the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the project "Strengthening the Institutional Capacities of the Republic of Serbia to Combat Irregular Migration" (SICCIM), which is implemented in cooperation with ICMPD.
The meeting discussed the results so far, the dynamics of the implementation of activities and further steps within the project, which is being implemented with the support of the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Germany, the Federal Institute for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). The main partner is the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia.
The training aims to ensure counsellors are fully equipped to support families in a child-sensitive, rights-based manner, empowering parents and creating a trusted environment where children can participate in return and reintegration preparation.
The Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, Nataša Stanisavljevic, paid a working visit to Nuremberg, Germany, where she visited the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees BAMF, and got acquainted in detail with the procedures in the field of asylum in Germany, as well as with the organization of the work of this institution, which is responsible for asylum, migration, integration and protection of refugees. The event was also organized in collaboration with ICMPD.
The two-day workshop brought together the Serbian Comessariat for Refugees and Migration, ICMPD Silk Routes & Budapest Process, ICMPD in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) from Pakistan, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to discuss approaches to improving referral pathways, reintegration support, and cross-border coordination in voluntary return programmes.
Contact
Jaroslava Bozanic
Project Manager, ICMPD Belgrade