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Historical and recent trends of emigration from the Western Balkan region, comprising Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo1, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, have led to the formation of diverse diaspora groups across the world, with prominent representation in the Western European countries. Diaspora members often maintain close transnational socioeconomic ties with their countries of origin. These ties are most commonly reflected through the transfer of remittances at the individual or household level, but also increasingly through investment, entrepreneurship, or knowledge transfer etc., with the potential to create a greater impact on the socioeconomic development of the Western Balkan countries.

This report synthesises the overall findings of the ECONDIAS project and takes stock of the country-specific, and EU-level policy and institutional landscape on migration-development nexus, and identifies relevant stakeholders and practices to draw context-specific lessons on success and impeding factors for diaspora-led investment in countries of origin.

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) was contracted by European Commission to procure the construction of a “temporary retention facility”, for twelve people, as an extension of the multipurpose reception centre in Lipa that accommodates up to 1500 people.  

The purpose of this accommodation is to provide a secure facility within the temporary reception centre where, in specific cases, measures of detention and restrictions of movement can be implemented in line with international and EU standards, while providing shelter and basic services People who present a risk to others on the camp site can temporarily be held there.

Based on this, authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, acting within the framework of the establishment and functioning of the multi-purpose reception centre at LIPA, had conducted all preparatory and groundwork for the construction of this temporary retention facility. The national authorities were responsible for resolving all procedural issues related to building permits, planning and construction of the centre. Before construction started, the authorities informed ICMPD that all procedural issues and preliminary work had been completed and the necessary permits obtained. Only after confirmation by the authorities on having all necessary conditions in place, ICMPD launched the project to construct the temporary retention facility.

ICMPD’s role remained limited to the construction of the facility. During the construction phase, ICMPD acted following the decisions taken by the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the European Commission, and regularly coordinated with the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The overall purpose and manner of use of the temporary retention facility have been determined by the respective authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The final purpose of the temporary retention facility will be decided by the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in line with the national legal framework.

ICMPD does not have any role in determining the final purpose of the use of the facility, and will not have any role in the management of this facility. Authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina will remain responsible to manage the multipurpose reception centre in Lipa.

The funding for this construction project is provided by the European Union.

At present, the facility is not yet in use. It will remain empty until it will be taken over by the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This handover is set to take place within the next few weeks.

ICMPD will continue to take required action based on the decisions made by the relevant national authorities and the European Commission.

For more information, please contact:

ICMPD - Communication and Media Coordinator
Bernhard Schragl
ICMPD
Tel: +43 1 504 4677 2444
Fax: +43 1 504 4677 2375
media@icmpd.org
www.icmpd.org

The project Resilience, Reinforcement and Recovery of Ukrainian Migration and Consular Services (RRR) is implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development with the overall objective to contribute to the resilience, reinforcement and recovery of Ukrainian migration and consular governance by strengthening the capacities of national authorities to ensure the safe international mobility of Ukrainian citizens, including preparations for sustainable return. Module 1 of the project specifically aims to establish Ukrainian Consultation Centres in EU MS hosting the most Ukrainian refugees, mainly in Poland, Czech Republic and Germany, in close coordination with local state authorities, Ukrainian diaspora organisations and the civil society of hosting countries. The Consultation Centres (CCs) will support consular capacity in providing consular assistance to Ukrainians abroad regarding documentation, integration information in the hosting societies and preparedness/consultations for future voluntary return and reintegration back home. 

ICMPD is seeking applications from qualified and result-oriented professionals, to support the establishment of such Centre in Berlin, Germany, in addition to the overall coordination and implementation of activities within the framework of the Consultation Centre.

The project Resilience, Reinforcement and Recovery of Ukrainian Migration and Consular Services (RRR) is implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development with the overall objective to contribute to the resilience, reinforcement and recovery of Ukrainian migration and consular governance by strengthening the capacities of national authorities to ensure the safe international mobility of Ukrainian citizens, including preparations for sustainable return. Module 1 of the project specifically aims to establish Ukrainian Consultation Centres in EU MS hosting the most Ukrainian refugees, mainly in Poland, Czech Republic and Germany, in close coordination with local state authorities, Ukrainian diaspora organisations and the civil society of hosting countries. The Consultation Centres (CCs) will support consular capacity in providing consular assistance to Ukrainians abroad regarding documentation, integration information in the hosting societies and preparedness/consultations for future voluntary return and reintegration back home. 

ICMPD is seeking applications from qualified and result-oriented professionals, to support the establishment of such Centre in Berlin, Germany, in addition to the overall coordination and implementation of activities within the framework of the Consultation Centre.

The project Resilience, Reinforcement and Recovery of Ukrainian Migration and Consular Services (RRR) is implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development with the overall objective to contribute to the resilience, reinforcement and recovery of Ukrainian migration and consular governance by strengthening the capacities of national authorities to ensure the safe international mobility of Ukrainian citizens, including preparations for sustainable return. Module 1 of the project specifically aims to establish Ukrainian Consultation Centres in EU MS hosting the most Ukrainian refugees, mainly in Poland, Czech Republic and Germany, in close coordination with local state authorities, Ukrainian diaspora organisations and the civil society of hosting countries. The Consultation Centres (CCs) will support consular capacity in providing consular assistance to Ukrainians abroad regarding documentation, integration information in the hosting societies and preparedness/consultations for future voluntary return and reintegration back home. 

ICMPD is seeking applications from qualified and result-oriented professionals, to support the establishment of such Centre in Prague, Czech Republic, in addition to the overall coordination and implementation of activities within the framework of the Consultation Centre.

In March 2023, The Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) published its 2022 Annual Report. It is produced by the co-chairs of the group in 2022, UNODC and ICMPD. The report covers the progress made by ICAT members towards the implementation of the Group’s Plan of Action.