Migration, Asylum, Refugees, Regional Initiative (MARRI)

🌏 Today on #InternationalMigrantsDay, MARRI reaffirms its commitment to fostering data-driven migration policies! We mark this occasion with the meeting of the 👉 MARRI Permanent Working Group on Migration Statistics, bringing together MARRI Coordinators, senior migration statistics experts from the region, and the MARRI RC team. Chaired by Simona Krstevska, MARRI RC Acting Director, the meeting underscores the importance of reliable migration data as a foundation for effective migration governance and regional cooperation. Agenda Highlights 👇 📌 Review of activities, featuring a presentation of the Comparative Analysis and Dashboard on Asylum Applications by Aleksandar Kostadinov, Migration Data and Policy Analyst 📌Proposal for amending the Terms of Reference and establishing a timeline for data exchange in 2025 📌Updates on the WB-MIDEX platform, focusing on regular migration and international protection statistics On this day, dedicated to celebrating the contributions of migrants worldwide, we recognize the crucial role of #migration #statistics in shaping inclusive and sustainable policies for the future.

🚀 We are delighted to have successfully concluded the 👉 MARRI Asylum Network meeting, held yesterday in Skopje. Organized under the #PeMo project and supported by #GIZ, this event gathered representatives from MARRI administrations, experts, and partners to engage in fruitful discussions on #asylum policy developments, challenges, and future priorities. Key highlights included: 📌 Presentations on the latest developments in asylum systems and the European Commission enlargement reports. 📌 Insightful discussions on the New EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and its implications for the region. 📌 Collaborative brainstorming on defining the way forward for the MARRI Asylum Network. 💯 We extend our deepest gratitude to all participants for their invaluable contributions and active engagement. This inspiring platform for collaboration and regional dialogue is driving progress in fostering stronger regional cooperation.

Yesterday at #MARRI Regional Centre in Skopje, the MARRI Regional Committee successfully convened under the Albanian Presidency-in-Office to discuss MARRI’s key developments and priorities. The meeting reaffirmed #commitment to #collaboration, recognized #progress in ongoing initiatives, and outlined steps for continued #regional #cooperation. The Committee's special appreciation goes to all partners, stakeholders, and the MARRI RC team for their dedication and support in advancing the collective vision for the #WesternBalkans!

We are proud to present three new analyses developed under the project "Fostering Economic Opportunities of MARRI Participants by Enhancing the International Protection System" (PeMo), a part of GIZ's broader initiative on fostering the social participation of migrants and host communities in the Western Balkans 👇 1️⃣ Economic Opportunities in Hosting People on the Move (https://lnkd.in/d2Yec7Kz) 2️⃣ Legal Framework on Asylum and Labour Market Access in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia (https://lnkd.in/dPeAx5Uv) 3️⃣ Local Economic Impact of Hosting People on the Move (https://lnkd.in/dBUf5hyM) The analyses reveal key insights into economic opportunities, legal frameworks, and local impacts of hosting people on the move, offering practical guidance to strengthen international protection systems. Many thanks to the team of experts: 🔴 Dr. Isabel Ruiz – GIZ Expert/Professor, University of Oxford 🔴 Dr. Ivana Krstic – GIZ Expert/Professor, University of Belgrade 🔴 Dr. Nermin Oruc – GIZ Expert/Researcher, Centre for Development Evaluation and Social Science Research, Bosnia and Herzegovina. #migration #economicopportunities #WesternBalkans

🔸 Women and girls on migrant routes are extremely vulnerable to abuse, including trafficking, forced marriages, and other forms of gender-based violence. Driven by harmful stereotypes, these violations continue to undermine their rights. 🔸 During the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, #MARRI calls to collective action to promote gender equality and bridge the gap between commitments and implementation in combating violence against women. #16DaysOfActivism #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #genderequality #SafeSpaces #empowerment #SupportWomen #breakthecycle #InclusiveSupport

MARRI RC NEWS: Following the decision of the MARRI Regional Forum of Ministers of Interior/Security of the MARRI Participants, Ms. Simona Krstevska assumed the role of Acting Director of MARRI Regional Centre as of 14 November 2024. Ms. Krstevska is a seconded Representative of the Republic of North Macedonia to the MARRI Regional Centre, with a professional background within the North Macedonia's Ministry of Interior. We remain committed to our mission and to advancing #regional #cooperation on #migration, #asylum and #refugees. With the support of our dedicated team and partners, MARRI will continue to drive initiatives that foster collaboration, enhance resilience, and uphold the regional shared values. We look forward to continued progress under the guidance of Ms. Krstevska!

💯 Today, we were honoured to welcome Agron Sojati, Head of the #IISG Secretariat, and Vanja Kusmuk, IISG Administrative Support Assistant who visited MARRI RC as part of their thematic consultations with Western Balkan partners. The discussions focused on enhancing collaboration and joint efforts toward border security under IISG Pillar 3 – the Western Balkans Border Security Initiative (WBBSi), whose member is MARRI. 🎯 During the meeting, Mr. Sojati updated the MARRI RC team on upcoming IISG activities and timelines, emphasizing the importance of WB6 administrations in the response mapping process and the IISG #database population. The #MARRI delegation reaffirmed the strong commitment to support the objectives of IISG Pillar 3, enhancing border security and #cooperation across the region. 🤝

Yesterday, under the Presidency-in-Office of the Republic of Albania, the MARRI Regional Committee held an extraordinary session to address key aspects of the Regional Centre’s functioning. In line with its mandate, the Committee discussed and reached agreements important for maintaining the MARRI RC’s operational integrity and advancing MARRI’s shared goals. The Albanian Presidency continues to foster a strong spirit of regional cooperation on issues of migration.

🔹 Neli Rašović, MA, Participant of Montenegro, represented MARRI RC at the Regional Expert Group Meeting (REGM) on the Nexus between #HumanTrafficking and #MigrationFlows, with a focus on #MigrantSmuggling in South-Eastern Europe. 📍 The meeting, held in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 23-24 October 2024, was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum, and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. 📚 During her presentation, Ms. Rasovic shared key findings from #MARRI’s research 👉Trends of Human Trafficking in the Western Balkans (2018-2022), which highlighted the regional challenges, evolving trafficking patterns, and #policy #recommendations aimed at strengthening #cooperation to combat human trafficking within migration flows. 💪Together, we are working towards a safer and more secure region.

Recently, MARRI RC Director Snezana Trajanovska, MSc, participated in the "Climate Migration in the Western Balkans: Legal Framework and Security" workshop at the Institute for International Politics and Economy (IIPE) in Belgrade. The event brought together experts, researchers, and students to explore the legal and security dimensions of #climate #migration in the Western Balkan region. On the sidelines, Director Trajanovska held discussions with IIPE Director Prof. Dr. Branislav Djordjevic and Deputy Director Dr. Ivona Ladjevac, sharing views on emerging regional issues. This workshop is part of the "University Dialogue with Western Balkans" project, supported by DAAD and led by BTU, IIPE, and UKIM's Global Changes Centre.