Administrative Assistance Balkan

The Administrative Assistance project is developed within the Belgian Voluntary Return programme as an alternative assistance to vulnerable cases returning to Western Balkan countries, i.e. Serbia, Albania, Kosovo[1], Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia.

As these returnees cannot benefit from the regular reintegration assistance, a specific supporting mechanism has been developed, focusing its efforts on providing administrative assistance with obtaining personal documents, school enrolment, guidance and referral for job seeking, referral to different local services, housing, etc. The returnees benefitting from the assistance can in addition to the support also rely on the IOM missions that provide accurate information and tailored-made advice and guidance.

Eligible countries

Kosovo[1], Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro.

Main objectives and activities

The main focus of the assistance is civil registration, followed by access to relevant services such as health care system, schooling, and employment, as these are pre-conditions of a sustainable return and reintegration. In most of the countries, civil registration is the necessary step to take in order to have access to the other mentioned services. The project aims at providing immaterial assistance to the beneficiaries to further facilitate the reinstallation process. IOM can refer to the existing services reintegration programmes if any, as well as other relevant entities (public/ private/NGO’s) provide guidance and also accompany beneficiaries through their registration steps.

Target group

Any national from the above-mentioned countries willing to return voluntary and further requesting the administrative support.

Activities 2019

From 4 to 8 November 2019, IOM Belgium together with Caritas International and Fedasil, organized a Balkan exchange week. IOM offices from Albania, Northern Macedonia, Kosovo* and Serbia, Caritas Serbia and Caritas partner C.S.I Nadez (Northern Macedonia) were present in Belgium to share their experience with Belgian counterparts and to learn more on the Belgian asylum and reception system. 

In the period from January to June 2019, 45 families and vulnerable persons have been assisted with the administrative support by local IOM missions in Kosovo[1] (9), Albania (20), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1), the Republic of North Macedonia (5) and Serbia (8).

For further information please contact Ms. Arta Hajra (email: ahajra@iom.int, tel: +32(0) 2 287 74 34)

[1] References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).