Armenian Caritas

Migration and Development

Start: 2010-2013

Overall objective:

To promote links between migration and development in the Armenian context by contributing to the establishment of sustainable reintegration measures for returnees to Armenia and creating an effective, client centred information system for potential migrants from Armenia

Specific objectives:

1. Mitigate "Brain drain" through advocating for circular migration and provision of information on risks of illegal migration to potential
2. Support the reintegration process of voluntary returnees through providing assistance in economical stability and social protection
3. Promote measures to improve the contribution made by the Armenian Diaspora to the development of Armenia through creation of special Diaspora Mentor fund within Armenian Caritas structure.
4. Support the policy making and policy dialogue procedures through conducting research in the field of migration and organizing regional discussions and networking activities.

Target groups

Migrants and potential migrants, general public

Expected results

1. Measures are taken to prevent "Brain drain" among 720 graduate students
2. 150 returnees are successfully reintegrated into the society out of which 35 returnee families gained economic stability. 45 returnees have opportunities to convey and localise their know-how skills in Armenia.
3. Established links between Armenia and Diaspora and continuous coordinated economic development and migration management actions in Armenia.
4. The existing comprehensive research and information analysis in the field of migration serves as comprehensive basis for policy makers. Regional cooperation and dialogue, networking activities in the field of migration is encouraged.

Activities

1. Mitigate "Brain drain" through advocating for circular migration and provision of information on risks of illegal migration to potential
   • Organize job fairs for returnees to provide information to returned migrants.
   • Organize preparation work before migration: Consultations and web-site creation.
   • Raise public awareness through different media
2. Support the reintegration process of voluntary returnees through providing assistance in economical stability and social protection
   • Help returnees to gather the necessary information for their reintegration process.
   • Provide returnees with accommodation, counselling and educational support
   • Create a support system for income generation
3. Promote measures to improve the contribution made by the Armenian Diaspora to the development of Armenia through creation of special Diaspora Mentor fund within Armenian Caritas structure.
   • Organize contact-developing outreaches with Diaspora representatives in three European countries.
   • Develop concept of "mentor fund" for returnees.
   • Create mentoring fund within Armenian Caritas.
4. Support the policy making and policy dialogue procedures through conducting research in the field of migration and organizing regional discussions and networking activities.
   • Develop survey specifications, organize and monitor the process.
   • Organize the publication of the survey results and its presentation among the interested parties.
   • Organize and conduct Round Tables with the purpose of active networking in the favour of assisting the migrated population.
   • Organize a networking conference on the issues of migrants in the countries of origin and destination and to present the conclusions of the project.

Partners: Lichtenstein Government and Caritas Austria

Project manager: Tigranuhi Tarakhchyan