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Human trafficking, like migration, is a highly complex issue. It requires not only the resources but also the right data to address its underlying root causes and impact. Understanding human trafficking better involves taking stock of the community’s attitudes, perceptions, and perspectives – particularly those who are directly affected, including children.

The Counsellors at the Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Kabul, operated jointly by ICMPD and the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation funded by the European Union, have seen a significant rise in migration related inquiries since the beginning of 2021. Currently, the MRC team counsel about 1,000 Afghans on a monthly basis, in-person, by phone and over message services. This is how they assess the current migration situation in Afghanistan.

On 6-8 March 2023, ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger visited Türkiye, where he met Mr. Süleyman Soylu, Minister of Interior, Mr. Savaş Ünlü, the President of the Presidency of Migration Management and other high-level officials. The aim of the visit was to express ICMPD’s condolences following the catastrophe and its commitment to support Turkish authorities in the relief efforts in the affected regions, as well as to exchange updates and ideas for mid and long term support efforts.

Diaspora engagement is one of the core components of the RRR-MFA/SMS UA project. Ukraine has a well-organised diaspora, actively engaged and motivated, with a high level of participation. Therefore, the project considers close cooperation and collaboration with prominent Ukrainian diaspora organisations as an integral part of the programme and supported several recent events carried out precisely for diaspora empowerment.

Unique collaboration bringing together migration expertise, a local university and the private sector, opens up prospects for the local population, business location and companies

On 25 November 2022, a vocational training facility, the Centre of Practical Skills, as well as the Godfrey Okoye University European Business Park, were opened in Enugu, Nigeria. This unique combination of private entrepreneur involvement and skilled worker training will enable 100 people per year to undertake dual education and training to learn skilled trades and become plumbers, electricians and construction supervisors.

On 7 February 2023, a meeting to kick off the Civil Society Facility on Migration (CSO facility) was organised, in the framework of the STREAMinG project. The CSO Facility foresees bettering the engagement of Civil Society Organisations in Migration Policy Dialogue and Policy Implementation, as well as strengthening CSO capacities through the financial support of the European Union and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). 

On 29 April, ICMPD and the American Business Council organised the virtual round table “Investment opportunities in Nigeria”. The round table was hosted by ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger.

After Russia's military aggression against Ukraine in 2022, millions of Ukrainians sought refuge in EU countries. To assist them, the EU Council activated the Temporary Protection Directive, granting access to healthcare, accommodation, employment, education, and social protection. Despite ongoing war, Ukrainian refugees face challenges in settling and rebuilding their lives. The RRR-MFA/SMS project, funded by Germany and the Czech Republic, established Ukrainian Consultation Centers in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. We interviewed the project team to learn more about this flagship initiative.

In a year full of European, national, and regional elections, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) expects migration to be a pivotal topic. While many governments implement quick fixes ahead of their electoral cycles, opposition parties are tying their campaigns to migration-related promises. ICMPD’s 2024 Migration Outlook report forecasts record displacement levels resulting from war and conflict, leading to a further securitization of migration and offshoring of asylum procedures, as well as a rise in secondary movements. These developments are taking place while labour migration is ‘coming of age’ in Europe.

The year 2024 was another of key milestones for ICMPD. Amidst elections dominated by migration in key regions, developments in the migration discourse including returns, conflicts, and the continuing challenges for both Europe and the migratory routes, ICMPD’s efforts remained on-course as relevant and as necessary.

On September 10, 2024, the EU-funded India-EU Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility (CDMM) project co-implemented by ICMPD, held a Student Mobility Workshop in New Delhi, India. The workshop, focused on facilitating student mobility and understanding the ‘dichotomy’ of using educational consultants. 

The EU could see an influx of up to four million more Ukrainians in 2023, and Russia will seek to further weaponise migration from North Africa and the Middle East. These are just two of the forecasts made in the latest Migration Outlook report 2023 from the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

The Bridging small and medium-sized enterprises with international talent (BRIDGE) research project launched in April 2025. Running until March 2026, the project will provide targeted support to SMEs by identifying and strengthening the role of bridging actors.

On 1 December 2021, the 3rd Coordination Meeting for the Socio-Economic Development Component took place in Ankara, Türkiye. The meeting takes place within the Vice-Presidcency Facility for Refugees in Türkiye (FRiT). ICMPD in Türkiye facilitated the meeting, provided logistical support and gathered the relevant authorities, actors and beneficiaries of the programme. Implemented by ICMPD Türkiye and as the beneficiary of the FRiT II Programme, the ICMPD ENHANCER project team provided secretarial support in the organisation of this important event.

On 16 December 2021, ENHANCER organised a meeting for 150 Turkish and Syrian entrepreneurs active in the textile and ready garment, food and innovation sectors to meet with leading brands, representing about 100 companies.

On 15 July, a graduation ceremony took place to honour the accomplishments of the CoPS trainees in Enugu, Nigeria. The event was well-attended by key stakeholders, trainers, trainees, and media members. Students that stood out received several awards during the ceremony.

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) will hold the eighth annual Vienna Migration Conference (VMC) on 10-11 October. The most important migration conference in Europe will bring together decision-makers and high-level stakeholders from Europe, Africa and Asia ahead of key European and the EU 2024 elections, where, once again, migration will prove a central theme of the global debate.

On 18-19 October, ICMPD's Director General, Michael Spindelegger, concluded his first visit to India, marked by a series of high-level engagements and bilateral meetings aimed at exploring opportunities to deepen ICMPD-India relations on migration and mobility. He had the pleasure of meeting ICMPD’s Member States and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) over the two days.

On 1 July 2022, ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger welcomed Mr Farhod Salim, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan. Ongoing projects and cooperation, as well as current migration challenges, were the subject of the visit.

During 21-25 July, ICMPD organised a study visit to Poland for the Moldovan law enforcement community, focusing on Integrated Border Management (IBM). A range of experiences and lessons were shared during the visit to support Moldova in designing its national IBM strategy. 

Trafficking in human beings (THB) is a global phenomenon. Türkiye has continuously improved its anti-trafficking response since early 2000s to prevent this crime and to support victims of trafficking and persons at risk. After its establishment in 2013, the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) under the Ministry of Interior became the main coordinator institution in the identification, protection of trafficked persons and provision of support services to the victims.

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in collaboration with the Presidency of Migration Management (PMM) of Türkiye and the financial support of the governments of Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway launched a three-year project titled “Supporting the implementation and further strengthening of Türkiye's National Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration System (NAVRR Project)” on 28 March 2022.

On 20 May, ICMPD Türkiye and Western Balkans Regional Coordination Office hosted an international webinar on “Cooperation with Civil Society and Municipalities in Migration Management in Türkiye and the Netherlands”. The webinar brought together representatives of public authorities, civil society organisations (CSOs) and local administrations from the Netherlands and Türkiye to discuss best practices in cooperation in the field of migration management.

ICMPD Türkiye releases six new policy briefs on Türkiye, offering an analysis of major trends and policy development in 2020 in relation to Irregular Migration, Legal Migration, Asylum and Refugees, Trafficking in Human Beings, Migration and Development and Migration and Civil Society.

A new policy brief by the ICMPD Country Office in Türkiye looks into ongoing cooperation between the EU and Türkiye on migration matters, including the implementation of the 2016 EU-Türkiye Statement.