RESTART III
Support for the Austrian Return System and the Reintegration of Voluntary Returnees in Afghanistan
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), Country Office for Austria, is implementing the project "RESTART III - Support for the Austrian return system and the reintegration of voluntary returnees in Afghanistan“ from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022. This project is co-financed by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) of the European Union and the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. It aims at strengthening a comprehensive, uniform and high-quality return counselling structure in Austria as well as providing a tailored assistance for voluntary return and reintegration, primarily for returnees from Austria to Afghanistan.
1. SUPPORT FOR THE AUSTRIAN RETURN SYSTEM
In order to be able to take a well-informed decision on whether or not to return, migrants need high quality return counselling that provides them with adequate, objective and up-to-date information. Migrants in vulnerable situations will be given particular attention, taking into account their specific needs and challenges.
Within RESTART III, IOM is implementing the following measures to ensure the quality of the return system:
ENSURING A HIGH-QUALITY RETURN SYSTEM
- Guidelines on Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) which shall serve as guidance for providing high-quality support to voluntary returnees in Austria:
- Nation-wide trainings on all relevant aspects of AVRR;
- Regular stakeholder meetings to further strengthen exchange and cooperation;
- Information material on AVRR for the interested public;
- Quarterly newsletter with updates, background stories and general information on activities in the field of AVRR.
2. ASSISTANCE FOR VOLUNTARY RETURN AND REINTEGRATION
Within the framework of this project, third country nationals can be assisted in their voluntary return and in their sustainable reintegration in the country of return. The project foresees the support of project participants returning to Afghanistan (currently suspended) as well as beneficiaries returning to countries which will be offered on a needs base (currently the Islamic Republic of Iran, Somalia/Somaliland and Tunisia). Only one person per household is eligible to participate.
RETURN ASSISTANCE
- Pre-departure information sessions prior to the return;
- Tailored information for returnees in vulnerable situations;
- Organization of return travel;
- Departure assistance at the Vienna International Airport and assistance at transit airports;
- Reception assistance and support with organization of onward transportation to destination as well as temporary accommodation in Afghanistan.
REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE
- Post-arrival counselling;
- Cash assistance of EUR 500 per project participant;
- In-kind reintegration assistance of EUR 2,800;
- Needs-based assistance for returnees in vulnerable situations;
- Business booklets, referral to business trainings and information events as well as the possibility of additional support for businesses in Afghanistan;
- Monitoring interviews with and visits to participants.
MONITORING
IOM carries out monitoring interviews and visits to beneficiaries in the country of return. In addition, monitoring missions allow IOM Austria staff to meet beneficiaries after reception of the reintegration assistance and to get an insight in their living situation.
PROJECT MATERIALS
- Project Fact Sheet in German, English, Dari, Pashto
- Information for voluntary returnees to Afghanistan in German, English, Dari, Pashto
- Information for voluntary returnees to other countries in German and English
- Business booklet “How to Invest the Reintegration Assistance in Afghanistan” in English, Dari, Pashto (provided in Austria prior to return)
- Business booklet “Start to Restart by Setting Up your Own Business“ in English, Dari, Pashto (provided in Afghanistan after return)
For further information please contact:
Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Unit
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Country Office for Austria
Nibelungengasse 13/4
1010 Vienna, Austria
Tel: 0043/ 1 585 33 22 39
E-mail: avrr.vienna@iom.int
This project is co-financed by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) of the European Union and the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior.
