Assisted voluntary return

SHORT OVERVIEW:

Lithuania remains primarily a country of transit, rather than that of destination for migrants. Strict anti-trafficking legislation and measures regulating the detention and return of irregular migrants as well as improved border security have proved highly effective in reducing irregular migration flows to the country. Accession to the EU and rapid economic growth witnessed until mid-2008, in turn, made Lithuania an attractive country for labor migrants. Even the subsequent economic downturn has largely failed to reverse the trend. However, strict control and complicated immigration procedures make labor migrants easily susceptible to finding themselves in irregular situations.

AVR activities in Lithuania have been implemented since 1997, with stranded migrants, irregular migrants, asylum seekers, unsuccessful asylum applicants, refugees and persons enjoying other types of protection in the country as their beneficiaries. Following several brief intermissions, AVR projects were re-launched at the beginning of 2010. Funded by the European Return Fund, they are currently comprehensive in nature and, in addition to consultations, organization of travel and limited reinstallation allowances, also involve components such as special assistance to vulnerable returnees, reintegration assistance in countries of origin and practitioners’ capacity building.

AVR ACTIVITIES IN LITHUANIA:

• Return information and counselling. Informational activities are performed in reception centres, integration day centres, IOM office. State Border Guard Service’s officers, specialists at migration services, municipalities and other related institutions, working with migrants and involved in the return process are informed about possibilities of AVR. Posters, leaflets, information on the IOM Vilnius website and individual consultations are provided by the IOM Vilnius staff to the target group and practitioners involved. 
• IOM takes care of all logistical arrangements (travel arrangements, transit and reception assistance and excess baggage allowance) regarding migrant’s return to his/her country of origin. IOM provides support toward in-land transportation to the final destination, if needed. IOM also assists in receiving necessary travel documents and visas.
• All migrants who are returning voluntary with IOM assistance are provided with reinstallation allowances to cover their immediate needs once they are back home.
• Special voluntary return assistance to vulnerable persons.
• Reintegration assistance in countries of origin aimed at ensuring the sustainability of returns. Reintegration assistance is always tailored to individual needs provided in-kind and targeted towards income-generating activities.
• Cooperation and partnerships are vital for the successful implementation and constant improvement of the AVRR programme. As a result, conferences and meetings are regularly organized in order to facilitate the sharing of experiences and exchange of best practices among professionals working in the field of AVRR.
• Capacity building of relevant stakeholders (i.e. State Border Guard Service, Migration services personnel, etc.). Trainings and seminars are organized to improve the ways of working of specialists providing return assistance and those responsible for migration policy-making.

RESULTS:

• AVRR system created in Lithuania
• More than 600 migrants returned in 12 years
• Professionals involved in the return process trained
• Since the beginning of 2010, 8 AVR returnees provided with reintegration assistance in Georgia (4), Iraq (2), Moldova (1) and Azerbaijan (1).
• Cooperation with key stakeholders in Lithuania established (Migration Department, State Border Guard Service, Foreigners’ Registration Centre, Refugee Reception Centre, embassies, NGOs and other).

Migrants assisted to return by IOM Vilnius Office in 1998-2010:

Current projects:

• Return Home III, 2011-2012, donor - European Return Fund (ERF)/ LT Gov.
• Practitioners' Capacity Building II; 2011-2012, donor -  ERF/ LT Gov.
• Voluntary Return for Vulnerable Persons III; 2011-2012, donor -  ERF/ LT Gov.
• Reintegration: towards sustainable return; 2011-2012, donor -  ERF/ LT Gov

Completed projects:

• Return Home II, 2010-2011 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Voluntary Return for Vulnerable Persons II, 2010-2011 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Reintegration in Countries of Origin, 2010-2011 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)

• Practitioners' Capacity Building; 2010-2011 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)

• Return Home, 2009-2010 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Voluntary Return for Vulnerable Persons, 2009-2010 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Reintegration - A New Opportunity in Homeland, 2009-2010 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Effective Return Mechanism: Officials' Capacity Building, 2009-2010 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Safe Trip Home: Good Practice and Development Effective Voluntary Return Model, 2008
• Safe Trip Home: Assisted Voluntary Return of Persons Applying for Asylum in Lithuania (PHASE II) (2007, funded by the European Refugee Fund and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Safe Trip Home: Assisted Voluntary Return of Persons Applying for Asylum in Lithuania (2006, funded by European Refugee Fund and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration of Unsuccessful Asylum Seekers from Lithuania (2004-2005 funded by European Refugee Fund and the Ministry of Interior of the republic of Lithuania).
• Voluntary Return of Stranded Migrants in the Baltic countries (1999 – 2002 funded by the USA and Finland)