ICMPD Western Balkans

21/05/2026

🔸“Enhancing Cross-border Cooperation in Voluntary Return Programs” in Serbia 🇷🇸 within the framework of the SICCIM project.

The two-day workshop brought together the Комесаријат за избеглице и миграције Републике Србије, ICMPD Silk Routes , ICMPD in Eastern Europe and Central Asia , Migrant Resource Centre Pakistan and Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) from Iraq, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to discuss approaches to improving referral pathways, reintegration support, and cross-border coordination in voluntary return programmes.

Participants explored global and regional reintegration frameworks, operational models of MRCs, cooperation modalities between Serbia and countries of origin, and sustainable and migrant-centered reintegration approaches.

Through continued dialogue, ICMPD and its partners remain committed to strengthening sustainable reintegration frameworks and regional migration governance.🔸

08/05/2026

🔸Together in Tirana, representatives of Albanian institutions and implementing partners - EU Consortium led by the Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid, ICMPD Western Balkans, IOM Western Balkans, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency ⁠ and JCP — joined efforts to develop the Return Roadmap for Albania 🇦🇱, aiming to reinforce regional cooperation, strengthen coordinated return management and further align practices with EU standards.

Supported by the EU under the Joint Action on Return Management in the Western Balkans, this process reflects a shared commitment to effective, sustainable and rights-based migration governance.

Special thanks to the European Union in Albania, the Ministry of Internal Affairs Ministria e Mbrojtjes for effectively leading this process, as well as to all participating Albanian institutions for their valuable contributions and constructive engagement throughout the consultations.

We remain committed to supporting the establishment of an effective and coordinated return management system.🔸

06/05/2026

23/04/2026

🔸ICMPD through the EU4SafeAlbania (Phase II) project, organized a study visit for representatives of the Albanian Border and Migration Police to Kosovo’s National Coordination Centre for Integrated Border Management.

The Albanian delegation was welcomed by senior representatives of Kosovo’s Ministry of Interior and border authorities, who shared experiences on implementation, legal frameworks, and daily operations. The visit enabled peer-to-peer exchange and practical insights into the NCC’s organisational setup, operational workflows, inter-agency coordination, and use of technology.

Kosovo’s NCC serves as a strong example of effective coordination and operational functionality, offering valuable lessons to support Albania in advancing its own integrated border management system.🔸

22/04/2026

🔸Over the past two weeks we organised meetings and gathered main stakeholders from across the Western Balkans to present our insights from the Comparative report & Strategic Roadmap for each country under the PSIMM project (Preventing Secondary Irregular Migration Movements to the EU).
By sharing evidence-based insights and country-specific strategies we aim to strengthen regional cooperation.

We are grateful to all partners and participants for their engagement, expertise, and commitment.🔸

10/04/2026

🔸’The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history’ - Woodrow Wilson

A truly proud day today as we raise the flag in 📍Sarajevo.
So much more than just a flag, this represents our shared 30-year partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina and our commitment to see that continue for another 30 years … and more.🔸

10/04/2026

🚀 We are hiring!

ICMPD is looking for a National Short-Term ICT Expert for the TASLE Project in the Field Office in , Bosnia and Herzegovina.

🗓️ Apply by: 22 April 2026

👉 More info: https://www.icmpd.org/file/download/67470/file/2026-04-22-ICMPD-TASLE-National-ICT-Expert-Sarajevo.pdf?inLanguage=eng-GB&version=1

🔁 Feel free to share with relevant experts in your network.

25/03/2026

🔸Business with a smile🔸

This week, ICMPD’s Sarajevo Office welcomed Melita Gruevska Graham, Special Representative for the Western Balkans, and Borut Eržen, Head of Programme, for a series of high-level meetings with key national and international partners.

Engaging with institutions such as the Ministarstvo sigurnosti Bosne i Hercegovine , the BiH Border Police, SIPA, and the Služba za poslove sa strancima, alongside the Evropska unija u Bosni i Hercegovini and the Embassy of The Netherlands and its Ministry of Justice and Security—the discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and advancing coordinated approaches to migration and border management.

A key highlight of the visit was the launch of the EU-funded EU4BM project, which will further support Bosnia and Herzegovina in enhancing effective, coordinated, and sustainable border management systems.

Through strong partnerships and EU support, continues to contribute to practical solutions that make a real difference on the ground.

12/03/2026

Over the past two days, national authorities and international partners gathered for technical consultations on the Return Roadmap for , held under the strong leadership and support of the European Union. The meeting reflected a high level of engagement and a shared commitment to strengthening return management systems in line with EU standards.

The Joint Action brings together the Consortium of EU 🇪🇺 Member States (led by the Netherlands 🇳🇱 )with ICMPD as implementing partner, in cooperation with the Joint Coordination Platform, IOM Western Balkans and Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.

12/03/2026

🔸A workshop on the Return and Reintegration Assistance Tool (RIAT) within the ICMPD Strengthening Institutional Capacities to Counter Irregular Migration (SICCIM) project🔸

The session was delivered to the Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration Комесаријат за избеглице и миграције Републике Србије by the Return and Reintegration Facility. It focused on the role of the platform in supporting Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) through facilitating information exchange, strengthening voluntary return coordination, and improving return counselling.

The presentation was followed by a fruitful discussion with representatives of the Commissariat on opportunities for Serbia to further enhance its data management by building on solutions developed within .
The workshop forms part of broader efforts under the SICCIM to support the development of a sustainable AVRR mechanism in , aligned with EU 🇪🇺 standards and international best practices.