Regional three-day training and experience exchange program of Centers for social work and cooperation with security structures in the context of irregular migration in the Western Balkans and the EU
In the period from 7 to 10 March 2022 in Budva, a Three-day training and experience exchange program of Centers for social work and cooperation with security structures was held within the project "Reducing irregular migration to the EU by strengthening the capacity of migration-related structures in the Western Balkans” to improve dialogue at the regional level and enhance the network of key actors in the process of managing irregular migration.
Information on migration management issues was exchanged, through the first-hand examples of situations in key points affected by the increased influx of migrants, as also the role of the state in establishing camps and responding to the migrant crisis as well as the role of Social Work Centers in protecting and treating unaccompanied minors. Participants from Montenegro, Serbia, Northern Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina also discussed establishing better models of co-operation between Social Work centers in the Western Balkans, sharing experiences so far on key work challenges and case studies that have sparked discussion.
It was agreed that cooperation between different levels of government and exchange of best practices in general is a very important component for the protection of the most vulnerable categories in the migrant population, as well as continuing to work on enhancing cooperation and networking in the field of activities and common goals.
The project "Reducing irregular migration to the EU by strengthening the capacity of migration-related structures in the Western Balkans" is co-financed by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Federal Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Austria and implemented by Hilfswerk International in cooperation with the Association for Help and Development "HAJDE”.