ICMPD Western Balkans

23/06/2026

🔸 How is the Western Balkans evolving from a region of origin and transit into an emerging destination?

This was the of a panel discussion organised by ICMPD Western Balkans during the Prague Process Senior Officials Meeting, hosted by the Министерство за внатрешни работи / Мinistria e Punëve të Brendshme - Ministry of Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia.

🎤Moderated by Melita Gruevska Graham, ICMPD Special Representative for the Western Balkans, the featured Teute Krasniqi (Frontex Senior Liaison Officer for the Western Balkans), Jantine G.M. van Bakel (Political Counsellor for Regional Stability Issues, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in North Macedonia), and Sandra M. Leitner (Senior Economist, Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies – wiiw).

The discussion highlighted the need for integrated and evidence-based migration policies supported by reliable data, stronger intergovernmental coordination across the Western Balkans, and enhanced regional cooperation through timely information exchange. Participants also underlined the importance of linking migration management with labour market needs, demographic developments, security considerations, and alignment with European standards.

Thank you to all speakers and participants for an engaging and insightful exchange.🔸

04/06/2026

🔸 It was with great pleasure that ICMPD participated in the MARRI Regional Forum Meeting in this week.

The ICMPD-MARRI partnership 🤝 reiterated this year with a new MoU, has seen an ever-increasing degree of collaboration that has repeatedly translated into concrete developments in all areas of migration management across the whole Western Balkans region.

The meeting was an opportunity for all the MARRI members and its international partners to celebrate some of the many successes achieved under the presidency of the Ministarstvo sigurnosti Bosne i Hercegovine and inspired directorship of Ms. Boranieva, while looking forward to a continuation of fruitful cooperation under the incoming presidency of .🔸

04/06/2026

🔸Better evidence-based labour migration policies, enhanced oversight of the recruitment, improved protection of migrant workers, stronger interinstitutional cooperation, and closer alignment with EU standards are among the key recommendations of the regional assessment presented on 28 May at the EU u Srbiji 🇷🇸

Representing ICMPD Western Balkans, Verica Koraćević presented key findings from the research conducted within the framework of the Preventing Secondary Irregular Migration Movements to the EU (PSIMM) project, focusing on labour migration governance systems across the WB and the challenges related to this topic.

The event also featured a presentation by IOM - UN Migration on labour migration trends and research in the Western Balkans, contributing to a broader discussion on the region’s evolving migration landscape.

The discussion gathered representatives of the EU Delegation, embassies, international organizations, and civil society organizations. We were especially encouraged by the strong interest in ICMPD’s work and the thoughtful questions and reflections shared during the discussion.🔸

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.