Organisations involved in advising and supporting migrants, particularly Roma, who come to Germany from Serbia and North Macedonia and who return to these two countries from Germany, establish a network for the exchange of information, experience and good practices for the benefit of all project partners and the target group. Building on the specific expertise of each organisation regarding the legal and social situation in their country, each partner shall support the other and provide information to improve the quality of advice for the target group. The project shall also offer the opportunity to provide feedback to competent actors in Germany regarding the experiences and issues of the Roma community in dealing with the process of migration to Germany, such als experiences of discrimination. It shall also assist in educating relevant actors in Germany (as well as the general public) regarding the situation of Roma in these countries, raising awareness of issues like segregation, discrimination and racism. By doing so, the project shall contribute towards assisting the process of integration of people with migrant backgrounds in Germany. The partners shall also cooperate in sharing their experiences regarding ways, means and methods to best reach and communicate with the target group - (prospective) migrants and returnees. The project partners see an urgent need to improve the flow of information on the framework conditions of migration between the Western Balkans and Germany. For example, actors in Serbia and North Macedonia need information on the frequently changing German migration law, such as asylum law or labour migration, including recognition of qualifications. Actors in Germany need reliable information on the situation of those returning from Germany - for example on reintegration opportunities. The expertise of the project partners on the situation of returnees can be useful in exchanges with return counselling centres in Germany and with those responsible for projects supporting returnees. Transnational exchange brings great added value because the framework conditions of other countries can only be understood with the help of competent local partners. Reliable information in this field brings a great added value for the respective clientele - i.e. migrants and returnees. Reliable information on the situation of returnees is particularly important in order to support those affected in exercising their rights. This promotes social inclusion and contributes to the fight against the discrimination often experienced by those affected, many of whom belong to the Roma minority, in all countries in question. The insights gained in the project will be of benefit beyond the three countries involved, since information for returnees is just as relevant for those returning from other countries than Germany, and information on migration to Germany is also relevant for other countries of the Western Balkans which are not in the EU.
We wanted to: - Improve the quality of information available to those involved in advising and educating migrants and prospective migrants from the Roma community in Serbia and North Macedonia, regarding migration to Germany. - Providie correct and up-to-date information regarding the legal framework for migration to Germany – particularly as regards learning and labour mobility – to help combat rumours and fake news regarding this issue. - Provide feedback to competent actors in Germany regarding the experiences and issues of the Roma community in dealing with the process of migration to Germany, such als experiences of discrimination. - Educate relevant actors in Germany (as well as the general public) regarding the situation of Roma in these countries, raising awareness of issues like segregation, discrimination and racism. - Address the issue of returning migrants and provide those who assist and advise migrants who are about to return from Germany to their countries of origin with information and contacts regarding opportunities for support after returning.
We identified the needs to foster links between those involved in advising and educating migrants and prospective migrants from the Roma community in Serbia and North Macedonia, regarding migration to Germany so as to improve the quality of information available to these actors and also to provide them with contacts who they can turn to when they have specific questions or need someone to refer their clients to in another country. Also, we wanted to offer feedback to competent actors in Germany regarding the experiences and issues of the Roma community in dealing with the process of migration to Germany, such als experiences of discrimination .And to educate relevant actors in Germany (as well as the general public) regarding the situation of Roma in these countries, raising awareness of issues like segregation, discrimination and racism.