The EU-funded project Improving Migration Management and Migrant Protection in selected Silk Routes and Central Asian Countries (PROTECT) is implemented by ICMPD as of June 2023. Covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as Pakistan, PROTECT aims to improve migration management and migrant protection throughout all phases of emigration and immigration in the target countries, enhance awareness on the risks of irregular migration, and facilitate the protection of migrants. It will support informed migration decision-making at the individual, family and community level, including pre-departure preparation, migration and residence/work abroad, voluntary return and sustainable reintegration.
The first project component targets ministries and other state agencies responsible for migration management and migrant protection. It aims to contribute to the improvement of gender-sensitive and rights-based migration governance by strengthening policy frameworks and capacities of public authorities to better manage migration and mobility in all their dimensions. The capacities of public authorities to develop, implement and evaluate migration- and mobility-related frameworks, including at policy, legislative and institutional levels are to be increased. Technical assistance activities may take the form of support in developing draft laws and regulations, draft policies and strategies, manuals and handbooks, or guidelines on specific topics. This component will also relate to policy areas such as labour market regulation, social protection, education and vocational training, and issues related to the situation of women, families and youth.
The second component targets migrants (aspiring, potential, departing, in-service, in-transit, on the move), their families and communities as well as returnees. It aims at operationalising Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) to enable potential and departing migrants make informed decision about migration by increasing their accessibility to and understanding of general and specific information on migration. Anchored on gender-responsive and human rights based approaches, MRCs raise awareness on safe, regular and orderly regular migration pathways by presenting the consequences, costs and dangers of irregular migration, trafficking of human beings and smuggling of migrants. They also disseminate information on existing programmes and services provided by government agencies and other service providers in both countries of origin and destination to migrants (departing, in-service and returning) and enabling them to access these, address their concerns and grievances, and protect their rights and well-being. Building upon the project Improving Migration Management in Silk Routes Countries, PROTECT shall further sustain the virtual MRC operated in Afghanistan.
Fully aligned with the objectives of both the Prague Process and Budapest Process, PROTECT will make an important contribution to the implementation of the Prague Process Action Plan 2023-2027.
See more information on the project on the ICMPD website.
