The Return and Reintegration Facility (RRF) is an innovative programme funded by the European Commission and implemented by ICMPD. It supports EU Member States and Schengen Associated Countries (MS) in strengthening the effectiveness of their return and reintegration programming. The RRF provides both operational and financial assistance to help MS develop solutions and activities with clear EU added value, while also bridging gaps between existing initiatives. In parallel, the RRF contributes to the implementation of the EU Strategy on Voluntary Return and Reintegration.
The NGO Capacity Building Initiative forms part of the RRF’s Thematic Work Area 1 on Counselling and Outreach. Its objective is to support a wide range of stakeholders—including governmental authorities and civil society organisations—in further professionalising their return counselling systems. Although general resources for MS, such as the Frontex curriculum on return and reintegration counselling, are readily available, consultations with stakeholders have revealed a need for more tailored training materials for diverse actors, including NGOs providing return and reintegration services.
Grounded in a rights-based and empowering approach, the manual builds on the training curriculum developed by ICMPD under the Capacity Development and Training for Return Counsellors (CADRE) project, implemented by ERRIN in 2022. Building on this foundation, the RRF is now updating and expanding ICMPD’s return counselling materials. The revised manual highlights the importance of close cooperation between state actors and NGOs, offering practical guidance and good practices to strengthen collaboration. It aims to support both parties in working respectfully and efficiently together, acknowledging their distinct roles while promoting a common understanding of safe, dignified return and sustainable reintegration.
The NGO Capacity Building manual was developed through a structured, collaborative process involving an advisory group of civil society organisations with extensive experience in migration, return counselling, and reintegration support. Key steps included a kick-off meeting, in-depth interviews to identify challenges and capacity gaps, and the preparation of a needs assessment report. We extend our gratitude to Caritas International (Belgium), MICADO and Diakonie Augsburg (Germany), the Danish Refugee Council (Denmark), and Stockholms Stadsmission (Sweden) – the members of the Advisory Group, whose expert contributions were essential. Their participation in interviews, workshops, and review rounds ensured that the manual reflects practical realities and upholds a rights-based, human-centred approach to return counselling.