Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration of Migrants in situations of vulnerability

 

 

 

 

Description

The project “Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration of Migrants in situations of vulnerability” is being implemented under the programme “Asylum and Migration” of the EEA Grants by IOM. Through the project, IOM seeks to provide AVRR assistance to migrants in situations of vulnerability, expressing the will to return to their country of origin and to contribute to their sustainable reintegration.

Potential beneficiaries

• beneficiaries with health needs,
• UMC and/or separated children,
• elderly persons (+65),
• victims of trafficking,
• pregnant women,
• families,
• and beneficiaries with other types of vulnerabilities

What is AVRR

IOM defines AVRR as the “administrative, logistical or financial support, including reintegration assistance, to migrants unable or unwilling to remain in the host country who volunteer to return to their countries of origin” (IOM Glossary on Migration, 2019). It is an indispensable part of a comprehensive approach to migration management aiming at their orderly and humane return and reintegration to their countries of origin. AVRR project is a core activity of IOM and has provided vital assistance to tens of thousands of migrants returning to their countries of origin every year, for the last four decades. The decision of returning home is 100% voluntary and based on the migrant’s request. AVRR project has been at the heart of IOM's commitments to protecting migrant's rights while ensuring the voluntariness of every return encompasses two elements, freedom of choice and an informed decision, which is taken upon the availability of timely, unbiased and reliable information.

What is Reintegration

Reintegration is generally understood as a multidimensional process enabling individuals to re-establish the economic, social and psychosocial relationships needed to maintain life, livelihood and dignity, and achieve inclusion in civic life. ΙΟΜ asserts that reintegration support can only be successful if there is a level of re-inclusion across all dimensions. At the individual level, the specific needs of beneficiaries should be covered and support for these provided upon return. The notions of return and reintegration are intimately interlinked with that of sustainability. "Reintegration can be considered sustainable when returnees have reached levels of economic self-sufficiency, social stability within their communities and psychosocial well-being that allow them to cope with (re)migration drivers. Having achieved sustainable reintegration, returnees are able to make further migration decisions as a matter of choice, rather than necessity” (Towards an integrated approach to reintegration in the context of return, IOM, 2017).

Beneficiaries are informed by specialized personnel and cultural mediators, in order to follow personalized reintegration plans, based on their needs. 

Types of reintegration assistance for the project “Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration of Migrants in situations of vulnerability” may include setting up a small business (individually or in partnership), job placement, temporary accommodation, psychosocial support, medical assistance, vocational training, household items, child care support and education. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About EEA Grants

The EEA Grants represent the contribution of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway towards a green, competitive and inclusive Europe. There are two overall objectives: reduction of economic and social disparities in Europe, and to strengthen bilateral relations between the donor countries and 15 EU countries in Central and Southern Europe and the Baltics. The three donor countries cooperate closely with the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA). The donors have provided €3.3 billion through consecutive grant schemes between 1994 and 2014. For the period 2014-2021, the EEA Grants amount to €1.55 billion. The priorities for this period are: 1) Innovation, Research, Education and Competitiveness, 2) Social Inclusion, Youth Employment and Poverty Reduction, 3) Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Low Carbon Economy, 4) Culture, Civil Society, Good Governance and Fundamental Rights, 5) Justice and Home Affairs.  The EEA Grants are jointly financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, whose contributions are based on their GDP. Eligibility for the Grants mirror the criteria set for the EU Cohesion Fund aimed at member countries where the Gross National Income (GNI) per inhabitant is less than 90% of the EU average.

More information: www.eeagrants.org & www.eeagrants.gr

 

About “Asylum and Migration” (Addressing urgent needs for the reception and screening of Asylum Seekers and for the Accommodation of Vulnerable Groups)

The “Asylum and Migration” (Addressing urgent needs for the reception and screening of asylum seekers and for the accommodation of vulnerable groups) programme in Greece, financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, was awarded a total budget of 16,5 million euros as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The program aspires to contribute to ensuring legal protection, support and care for the most vulnerable asylum seekers, with emphasis on unaccompanied children. The Fund Operator for the “Asylum and Migration” programme in Greece is ΣΟΛ Crowe in partnership with HumanRights360.

More information: https://www.asylumandmigration-eeagrants.gr

 

About the Fund Operator

The Fund Operator for the “Local Development and Poverty Reduction” programme and “Asylum and Migration” (Addressing urgent needs for the reception and screening of asylum seekers and for the accommodation of vulnerable groups) programme in Greece is ΣΟΛ Crowe in partnership with HumanRights360. 

 

About ΣΟΛ Crowe

ΣΟΛ Crowe provides auditing and consulting services to an expanded network of organizations and companies operating in the public and private sector in Greece and abroad. The Company provides customized solutions in the entire spectrum of consulting services aimed at supporting, reorganizing and sustainable development of our customers. The services provided cover all areas of corporate activities - Management Consulting Services, Tax Services, Financial Services, Risk Management Services, Human Resources Services, Business Monitoring Services, HTL Services, Technology Services - creating direct and visible value to businesses and organizations. The company is staffed with highly specialized consultants, with experience and professional knowledge and competence, ensuring the efficiency and quality of services provided.

More information: https://solcrowe.gr/

 

About HumanRights360

HumanRights360 is a civil society organization established in Greece. Its mission is to protect and empower the rights of all, with no discrimination, giving special focus on the most disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. The cornerstone of its action is the belief that the social inclusion may be achieved only through the protection of the individual, political and social rights of the entire population, and that through wider alliances, both in Greece and internationally, open and tolerant societies can be built, rejecting the Far-Right rhetoric, the extremism and xenophobia, and encouraging the participation of all citizens. The main pillars of HR360 activities is integration services (mainly in refugees’ field such as legal aid and borders monitoring), reintegration services and support of vulnerable people (homeless, ex prisoners), combating hate crimes through recording incidents for the Network of Racist violence, promoting campaigns, participating to researches, reports, editions and providing legal support to victims of racist crimes, strategic communication and advocacy for human rights protection, and management of regranting programmes.

More information: https://www.humanrights360.org/