RIAT is a comprehensive digital platform designed to manage individual reintegration assistance across the European Union and beyond. Accessible to all EU+ Member States (EU+ MS), it is utilised by return counsellors, government administrations, EU agencies such as Frontex (which organises reintegration support), and reintegration partners in countries of origin. By streamlining collaboration between these stakeholders, RIAT ensures a smooth and efficient exchange of information, enabling the effective processing of reintegration support.
RIAT: A Pillar of the EU’s Reintegration Strategy
RIAT plays an integral role in the European Union’s efforts to support the reintegration of individuals returning to their countries of origin. The platform facilitates a standardised case management process across all EU+ MS, which enhances operational cooperation and supports large-scale initiatives such as the EU Reintegration Programme (EU RP). Through the centralisation and streamlining of the reintegration process, RIAT not only fosters better coordination between member states but also ensures greater accountability and efficiency in the support provided to returnees.
Developed and hosted by the European Commission (EC), RIAT forms a crucial part of the EU’s digital infrastructure for managing return and reintegration efforts. The RRF has played a pivotal role in the platform’s development, providing necessary support to ensure its smooth operation. This includes assisting Member States with training, technical guidance, and coaching to make the best use of the platform’s features.
New Projects on RIAT
As part of its evolving capacity, the RIAT platform now hosts several reintegration projects, including LOSRA. This project implements, together with the competent Armenian authorities, a referral desk open to all migrants returning from the EU. Referral desk refers to government services and additional RRF-contracted services (e.g. medical care, housing, business toolkits). Since the activation of the project on RIAT, 85 cases were submitted.
Furthermore, the RIAT platform has recently been configured to support the PROSPECT project, which supports in developing methods and tools to counsel victims of trafficking that want to return to Nigeria (including providing a direct link between MS counsellors and Nigerian counterparts). The project includes complementary reintegration services such as stay in a shelter and specialised legal advice. PROSPECT is open to returnees from all RRF.
These new initiatives mark a significant enhancement in RIAT’s functionalities, establishing it as a platform where all reintegration projects can be effectively managed and made accessible to MS. This single-portal approach empowers MS and counsellors to oversee and address diverse reintegration needs through a centralised, adaptable system.
Enhanced Support for Member States and Partners
The RRF provides support to all projects operating on RIAT, overseeing technical configurations and offering extensive training to Member States and reintegration partners. Initially, the focus was on ensuring that users were familiar with the basic functionalities, system setup, and access management. Now, with all EU+ Member States accustomed to using RIAT, the emphasis is shifting towards maximising the platform’s potential. This includes refining return counselling and improving overall return management practices.
This new phase of RIAT is designed to help users make effective use of the platform’s capabilities, improving reintegration outcomes for returnees and supporting the operational needs of Member States. Continued support from the RRF helps ensure that RIAT remains a reliable tool within the EU’s reintegration strategy, addressing the complexities of return and reintegration.