Support to the Information Management, Communication and Planning Capacity in Addressing the Migration Management Challenges in Serbia

Project Duration: 26 October 2017 - 26 October 2018

Project Partners: Commissariat for Refugees and Migration (SCRM)

Donors: European Union

Introduction: As of mid-2015 until the beginning of March 2016, when the so-called Balkan route was formally closed, more than 700,000 migrants passed through the Republic of Serbia on their way to the countries of Western Europe. Unlike the period before the closure of the Balkan route, migrants now have been staying in Serbia for a longer period of time, in some cases longer than a year. In January 2017 there are some 4,000 migrants accommodated in 18 asylum and reception centres. Such a situation requires a different response of institutions dealing with migration management, as well as international and non-governmental actors. In this regard, the mission of the project is to assist the Government of the Republic of Serbia to respond to dynamic challenges of the migration management.

Project objectives: The overall objective of the initiative is to facilitate a more coordinated response to the protection-sensitive migration management challenges in Serbia, and ensure that foreseen assistance and protection measures for migrants and refugees are standardized, regularly monitored and consistently improved.

Specific objectives:

  • Strengthen monitoring mechanisms, information management and planning capacity of the SCRM;
  • Upgrade the coordination and management mechanisms of reception facilities in accordance with EASO reception guidelines, including the capacity building of SCRM reception facility staff;
  • Enhance the capacities of SCRM field teams in working with migrants and refugees in a more protection, gender and needs-sensitive manner, with the specific focus on vulnerable groups;
  • Enhance information provision to migrants and refugees and improve communication on the impact of the assistance provided to migrants and refugees by the European Union (EU) and the Government of Serbia.

Planned activities in Serbia:

  • Setting-up of a Data Management Unit within the SCRM office in Belgrade;
  • Provision of IT equipment, software, evaluation and monitoring tools for the asylum and reception centres, as well as for the main office;
  • Organization of capacity building trainings for the field staff in data collection, assessment of needs, estimation of costs and reporting;
  • Development and implementation of the communication measures aiming to improve information sharing among the SCRM, its field teams and partners;

Organization of public events and opportunities for media in the reception centers.

Project Status: Completed

Project Area: Other