Enhancing cooperation among the Prague Process states

News

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February has resulted in the displacement of more than 14 million people, representing one quarter to one third of the entire population. Up to two thirds have been displaced internally with another 6 million people fleeing to neighbouring countries, mostly to the EU, but also Russia and Turkey. As of late March, following the withdrawal of Russia’s forces from the north and northeast, people also began returning.

The majority of the nearly 7 million Ukrainian refugees who have left their country since the outbreak of conflict in February 2022 are women who seek protection in neighbouring countries. Many of them are currently located in national capitals or large cities. Recent discussion on how to relieve the pressure on the infrastructure of these cities has focused on accommodating refugees in rural areas. 

The article prepared by Bernhard Perchinig and Jimy Perumadan highlights several important aspects regarding the integration of refugees in rural areas. It is also available in Russian and Ukrainian languages.

The war in Ukraine is having far-reaching repercussions on many countries around the world, including in Africa, where it is affecting food security, job markets and energy prices.

The article prepared by Veronika Bilger and Nesrine Ben Brahim investigates the early impact of the war on food shortages across Africa and what it could mean for displacement in the continent and beyond. It is also available in Russian and Ukrainian languages.

On 12-13 May 2022, Austria and the Czech Republic in its capacity of Prague Process Chair hosted the Prague Process Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) in Vienna. The SOM represented the second preparatory meeting for the fourth Ministerial Conference, scheduled for 24-25 October 2022. It gathered 79 officials from 26 countries, the European Commission, EU Council, EEAS, EUAA, Frontex, IOM, JCP and ICMPD.

The “Prague Process: Dialogue, Analyses and Training in Action” (PP DATA) initiative is opening a call for experts (home-based) to identify short-term experts who are knowledgeable in migration data gathering and analysis and able to draft concise country factsheets that reflect the most recent migration dynamics and policy developments at national level.

The assignment foresees the production of factsheets on the following countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. 

The deadline for application is 30 June 2022.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Master’s degree or PhD in migration studies, international relations and/or development, peace and conflict studies, journalism, communications, economics, or related fields
  • At least three years of professional experience in writing and editing research papers targeting policy makers, academic experts and wider audience
  • Sound background knowledge on migration policies and wider migration context
  • Regional expertise (EU, Schengen associate countries, Western Balkans, the UK)
  • Excellent research and analytical skills, as well as drafting skills in English
  • Proven research record (preference will be given to candidates who published on migration)
  • Knowledge of the EU and Western Balkan languages is desirable

Application Process

Interested experts should send their CV and a sample of their related work (e.g. publications) with a reference to this announcement to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Candidates are invited to also indicate which target countries they are ready to cover (see above).

For further details such as detailed tasks, eligibility criteria and the application procedure, please check the information on the ICMPD website.

The Prague Process panel discussion: ‘The War in Ukraine and its Implications for Migration in the Prague Process Region’ is taking place on 28 April 2022 at 10:30-12:30 CET.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, over 12 million people are estimated to have been displaced internally and internationally. The ongoing war has resulted in the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II and has direct implications for the trajectory and patterns of migratory movements in the Prague Process region. 

This Panel Discussion will assess the first two months of the war from a migration perspective. The panelists shall discuss the EU’s immediate response, as well as the current situation on the ground. Special attention will be given to the reception conditions under the Temporary Protection Directive and the prospects of successfully integrating the incoming refugees into societies and labour markets. The panel will also look into the wider migration implications across the Prague Process region, including those arising from the unprecedented sanctions imposed on Russia, which has constituted a key country of destination within the region. Finally, the event shall provide post-war migration scenarios, including the return prospect and its drivers, as well as the wider socioeconomic and demographic implications of the migratory movements experienced to date and expected in the future.

In the new ICMPD Commentary, Martin Hofmann, ICMPD Principal Advisor, dives into the importance of compenece checks and skills assessments on the way to labour market inclusion of Ukrainian refugees who have been granted immediate access to employmeny in the EU. This Commentary was published on 28 March 2022 and is also available in Russian and Ukrainian languages.

More than 3.8 million Ukrainians have fled their country since the start of the Russian invasion and crossed into Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia and other neighbouring countries. On 3 March, European Union Member States agreed to activate the Temporary Protection Directive for the first time, offering immediate temporary residence and work permits to Ukrainian citizens.

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