Enhancing Preparedness for Migration Management through Contingency Planning in the Western Balkans

In response to the growing prominence of the Western Balkans as part of the Eastern Mediterranean migration route, this project proposes to enhance the capacity of the targeted countries in the management of mixed migration flows by ensuring that appropriate and timely assistance and protection can be provided to all transiting vulnerable migrants and asylum seekers. Based on the identified needs and current status of the migration crisis, the project approach will seek to achieve two primary outcomes:

1. Enhanced skills and knowledge of the local institutions in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia facilitate measures to effectively respond to the management of mass migration flows. This outcome includes training and provision of equipment.
2. Enhanced capacity of government stakeholders in Albania, BiH, Kosovo* and Montenegro to respond to potential shifts in mass mixed migration flows throughout the region. The governments will develop contingency plans and outline operational procedures in migration management responding to mass mixed migration flows in line with IOM´s humanitarian border management principles based on capacities and expected resource requirements.