Working together for Sustainable Reintegration - Linking Ecosystems of Actors
The Technical Working Group on Reintegration & Development is a working space where migration experts and practitioners and development actors collaborate to explore the possibilities for meaningful cooperation between reintegration and development actors, benefitting returnees. This collaboration led to the development of the Operational Framework, an actionable handbook that provides practical ways in which the sectors could work together.
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at a glance
What is the Technical Working Group?
The Technical Working Group (TWG) on Reintegration and Development (R&D) was established to create and operate in a technical working space, where migration experts and practitioners on the one hand, and development actors on the other, can explore possibilities for closer, more coherent and pragmatic cooperation benefitting both reintegration and development efforts simultaneously, and ultimately returnees, encompassed in a practical and non-political atmosphere.
The TWG R&D was established in 2018 to facilitate closer cooperation between migration and development fields.
The TWG R&D has the participation of 20 EU Member States, including return and reintegration departments and agencies.
The TWG R&D convenes more than 100 migration and development experts and practitioners.
The TWG R&D links reintegration services to over 50 development programmess and services offered by various initiatives.
objectives of the twg r&d
The TWG R&D has evolved given more shape to its purpose and objectives. EU Member States (MS) and development stakeholders have become more and more interested in navigating into possibilities that could incorporate reintegration to longer-term development planning.
It also represents an opportunity for its members to share their ideas on the subject matter, identify complementarities and align their objectives, striving towards a coherent programming approach to reintegration.
The TWG R&D aims primarily at:
Strengthening synergies
Access to Programmes
Operational Framework
Evolution of the TWG objectives
Phase I
Established in November 2018.
Screening EU-funded and national programmes in the sector of R&D aid.
Phase II
Launch and implementation of the three pilot initiatives in Bangladesh (2) and Nigeria (1), which focused on mapping, linking and referring returnees to existing R&D initiatives in both countries.
Phase III
Preparation of an assessment report with the results and lessons learnt from the pilot projects.
Development and validation of the Operational Framework (OF).
RRF
Preserve the structural and ongoing strategic dialogue.
Embed referral mechanisms in RRF projects and initiatives.
Explore programming mapping to improve linkages and joint activities.
Strengthening sustainable reintegration
The importance of linking reintegration & development
Linking reintegration services with existing development programmes is a key focus of the Technical Working Group on Reintegration and Development (TWG R&D), because it creates opportunities to support returning migrants and facilitate their sustainable reintegration. In this section, we explore why this linkage is crucial and how it is achieved.
More opportunities
More coherent cooperation
A framework for action
the twg r&D today
Current state of play
The TWG R&D will continue its activities under the Return and Reintegration Facility (RRF) umbrella, enabling the continuation of an informal and technical space to discuss, exchange and steer the implementation of the Operational Framework.
The TWG R&D meets on a regular basis, in person or virtually, to discuss a variety of topics related to the implementation of the OF. Ad hoc meetings can equally be organised upon request.
TWG R&D criteria for membership
| Status | Who can join? | Conditions | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core members |
|
National institution from an RRF MS with a clear mandate in the field of return/reintegration or development |
All meetings |
| Observers and/or contributors |
|
|
Specific thematic meetings (or sessions) and/or ad hoc meetings |
| Status | Core members | Observers and/or contributors |
| Who can join? |
|
|
| Conditions | National institution from an RRF MS with a clear mandate in the field of return/reintegration or development |
|
| Attendance | All meetings | Specific thematic meetings (or sessions) and/or ad hoc meetings |
TWG Members will act as a “Sounding Board” in the implementation of the OF by:
Members
Member state
Development actors
Contributors
Implementing Partners
European Commission
Frontex
The operational framework
The main deliverable of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Reintegration and Development (R&D), the Operational Framework is designed to offer practitioners actionable and directly applicable guidance, as it presents practical ways on how the reintegration and development sectors could work together.
in a nutshell
What is the operational framework?
The Operational Framework (OF) is the main deliverable of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Reintegration and Development (R&D).
Designed to offer practitioners actionable and directly applicable guidance, it presents practical ways on how the reintegration and development sectors could work together. Specifically, it describes how to connect returning migrants with relevant services available in their country of origin (CoO), whilst assisting EU Member States (MS) in aligning their planning and activities, from pre-departure to post-arrival.
Key dilemmas addressed in the of
Three main dilemmas were raised from the TWG R&D meetings and interviews with members and stakeholders:
The following challenges are addressed:
- How can R&D actors work better together vis-à-vis referral mechanisms?
- What is the framework where development and migration/return agencies could work together in a complementary manner, for stronger referral mechanisms and thus better reintegration outcomes?
Operational standards: setting the stages
The OF offers recommendations on implementing activities covering the full spectrum of the return and reintegration process, focusing on four stages of operational planning:
TWG R&D Members can use the OF as a framework for planning each of these phases of linking reintegration and development. These stages ensure a holistic design and implementation process, as well as adequate and independent monitoring of the mechanism.
Referral Mechanisms
Referral mechanisms are central to the Operational Framework and they are a key practical links connecting R&D fields. They aim at:
– Enabling access to decent work and livelihoods
– Supporting the multi-dimensional needs of returnees by granting them access to a continuum of multiple services
– Fostering ownership by CoO actors
Referral mechanisms need to meet four requirements:
Written agreements, with a focus on standard operating procedures.
Coordination across an ecosystem of actors, with a focus on local ownership
Pre-departure and post-arrival linkages, with a focus on planning and eligibility guidelines
Multi-dimensional programming, with an emphasis on monitoring
Operational standards to establish effective referrals between R&D initiatives, besides strengthening practical and operational links between the R&D sectors.
Ecosystem of various actors to allow for stronger connections between R&D and to bolster coherence and synergy between them:
- R&D actors;
- International, national and local stakeholders;
- Returnees and their communities;
- Specialists of targeted sectors (e.g. education, health, livelihood) and sub-groups.
Standard processes suggested for implementing the OF to learn from and examples of good practices, lessons learnt and recommendations that can serve as a baseline for key indicators.
standard processes suggested for implementing the OF
conclusions and implementation of the operational framework under the RRF
- The OF is a common framework on which future referral mechanisms can build, and where reintegration actors can further contextualise their interventions for effective interaction with countries of origin and with support from development actors;
- The OF sets out common standards from which R&D actors can base their cooperation and collaboration, across time (from pre-departure to post-arrival) and space (from countries of destination to countries of origin);
- Under the umbrella of the RRF, the TWG R&D will continue its work and mission to foster synergies between the two sectors, as well as enriching sustainable reintegration opportunities for returnees.
