Caritas International

Cell Voluntary Return & Reintegration

Head of service Anne Dussart

+32 2 2293604

Asia Annelieke Carlier

+32 2 2293586

Africa Thomas Jézéquel

+32 2 2111052

Balkan Sofie De Mot

+32 2 2111059

Latin America Rut Van Caudenberg

+32 2 2293602

Caucase/Ukraine Ine Lietaert

+32 2 2293602

Country information Alexander Coppens

+32 2 2293650

reintegration@caritasint.be

www.reintegrationcaritas.be

In 2009, 3 years after we started working world-

wide, the cell Voluntary Return & Reintegration

worked in 38 countries and our network of local

partners was expanded.

In 2009, 259 persons were assisted during their

return and reintegration, whereas in 2008 they

numbered 347. In total more than 850 persons

have been supported by the cell Voluntary Re-

turn & Reintegration since 2006. At the begin-

ning, only Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and Serbia

were our partner countries. Ever since the activi-

ties in 2007 have widened to a worldwide level,

788 people have been assisted.

The toughening of accessibility criteria of the

reintegration program and the announcement of

a large regularisation campaign in July led to a

remarkable decrease of the number of demands

compared to 2008. The very last weeks of the

year showed a slight increase of the normal

number of returns, as many had only postponed

their departure to check if they met the criteria

of the regularisation campaign.

Our main return countries remained essentially

the same as in 2008, though the Latin American

and the African countries became more impor-

Out of the need and the concern to evaluate and

adjust our program on a permanent basis, 9 evalua-

tion missions were undertaken in 2009, some in the

frame of the national project FEDASIL, others in the

frame of European projects as ERSO and CRI.

Throughout 2009, our partners and projects in Ar-

menia, Georgia, Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro, Cam-

eroon, Nepal and Mongolia were visited and evalu-

ated in this way.

Besides these evaluation missions, an international

partner week was organized in Brussels from 26th

to

30th

of October. In this week partners from 12 coun-

tries met to prepare in a very intensive way our new

European project “Strengthening Tailor Made As-

sisted Voluntary Return: STAVR”. From 2010 the

local partners will function as “focal points” in this

project (see article p2)

In 2009 two projects that started in 2006 and 2007

were closed. Both of the projects where we have

been cooperating in an active way, namely CRI

(Country of Return Information) and ERSO

(European Reintegration Support Organizations).

The CRI project has ended but it brought to Caritas

and the concerned partners a lot of expertise re-

garding the cooperation with local partners for col-

lecting information. We continue to cooperate with

these CRI partners in the frame of the new STAVR

project and requires of the 14 focal point countries

who are now fixed partners, that they should be

able to provide quickly a detailed answer to any

question from migrants or social services in Bel-

gium.

The ERSO project, officially closed in august 2009,

persists through an internet platform which creates

the opportunity for Caritas and other European

NGO’s who are member of ERSO, to continue work-

ing together. Thanks to this ERSO project our part-

ners from different countries as Caritas Armenia,

Mongolia and Ukraine got reinforced. As a result,

returnees from Belgium, Austria, Germany and the

Netherlands could been offered the same assistance

in these countries. The extra reintegration support,

offered by different ERSO-partners, has been equal-

ised which made disappear the existing differences

in between national reintegration programs.

Thomas Jézéquel

Return & Reintegration

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Content

Statistical analysis Caritas 2009

International Partner week 2009

Information sessions about voluntary

return

A return story: Nepal and Macedonia

Statistical analysis Caritas 2009

0

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Series1

Main return countries

2008 2009

Brazil 65 Ukraine 58

Mongolia 32 Mongolia 44

Ukraine 22 Armenia 34

Nepal 16 Brazil 34

Bosnië 12 Nepal 24

Armenia 11 Kosovo 17

Kososvo 10 Serbia 14

Serbia 9 Georgia 14

Georgia 9 Bosnia 11

Cameroon 6 Macedonia 11

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International Partner week 2009

The traditional partner week of Caritas International Belgium was

organized in October 2009. 14 partners of 14 different nationali-

ties were invited. 3AE (Guinea) and Caritas Nepal were unable to

come, the others were present: Caritas Armenia, Drina (Bosnia),

IMDH Name (Brazil), HIAS (Ecuador), Caritas Georgia, Caritas India,

CCEY (Cameroon), Caritas Kosovo, Caritas Mongolia, Solidarity Net

Ukraine, Caritas Senegal and BCGO (Togo).

Each partner was given the time to present himself and his organi-

sation and Caritas International too introduced its activities. On day

two, the new STAVR project for 2010 was explained. The goal of this

pilot project is to create in 14 countries with a high return percent-

age, an intensive and professional assistance, for vulnerable groups

and persons who want to start up a micro-business, through a fixed

structure of local partners (focal points). These 14 countries are

Armenia, Bosnia, Brazil, Cameroun, Ecuador, Georgia, Guinea, India,

Kosovo, Mongolia, Nepal, Ukraine, Senegal and Togo.

Therefore, during the partner week, the development of independ-

ent businesses in the homeland was focussed upon. For this pur-

pose, the brand new partnership with UNIZO was explained and

UNIZO members introduced themselves and their organisation.

They confirmed that, from now on, they are willing to guide individ-

ual returnees intensively to prepare a business plan. Beside this

option, special attention will still be given in 2010 to vulnerable

returnees (sick people, minors…).

On Wednesday, we had a separate meeting with each of our foreign

guests about the strengths and weaknesses of the project: what

should we pay more attention to, what can be done differently?

Things as the impossibility to overview huge countries (Brazil,

Ukraine…), difficult internet connections (African countries), the

prominent and permanent presence of the past in former conflict

zones (Balkan), recurred in these meetings.

In the afternoon, a maating took place among the Africans, in

preparation of the African conference that will be organised by Cari-

tas Belgium in Senegal in November 2010. Also Cordaid from the

Netherlands and Caritas Europe were present as involved parties.

The African conference will be a meeting between more than ten

African organizations working in reintegration, from as many coun-

tries. Its objective is to strengthen a common awareness about rein-

tegration.

For the social workers in Belgium, the climax of this week was the

partner day, where everyone confronted with voluntary return in

Belgium, had the chance to question the local partners about very

concrete possibilities and events in the specific countries. The turn-

out was very high (up to 50 attendees) and participation was ani-

mated and interactive. This busy day of workshops was concluded

with a casual reception. The feedback we received afterwards, was

unanimously positive.

The last day of this “work week” (this year we had no time for a

trip!) was dedicated to Country Information. After years of ex-

perience in European projects, Caritas Belgium wants to continue

the information gathering on his own and in an appropriate way.

It is important that the foreign partners know exactly what we

want to achieve and which type of practical, useful reports we

want to publish together and update on our website

www.reintegrationcaritas.be. In addition, we expect that our

partners are always willing to investigate any question about

their country and that they answer quickly. Through a short

training we explained the criteria the information should meet

(recent info, profound sources, thorough and reliable examina-

tion). Only in this way it is possible for Caritas Belgium to func-

tion as a solid help desk were each migrant may ask his/her

questions about his/her country.

The partner week was a success, and perhaps it was the most

valuable partner week so far. Together, we worked, listened,

discussed en debated harder than ever about the sense and the

nonsense, the success and the objectives of reintegration. The

past was evaluated, the future project was explained, planned

and carefully considered. The fundaments have been laid for

2010, a year with a lot of changes: increased and tailored social

support for each problem, more detailed reporting and higher

budgets for micro businesses. Caritas realizes that they cherish

high expectations from their international partners and tries to

comply with any need for support or concerns and comments.

Besides the planned activities, the partner week caused an unex-

pected and fascinating border phenomenon. What began as a

gathering of delegates from around the world, who introduced

themselves with much reserve, ended in a gathering of a close

group of friends in a very positive atmosphere. To be repeated.

Annelieke Carlier

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Information sessions about voluntary return

Besides providing increased reintegration assistance in the

country of return, the information to the target group in

Belgium about the possibilities after a voluntary return is

also a major objective of the new STAVR project. From ex-

perience, Caritas International realizes that migrant organi-

sations are the most accessible way to reach migrants.

Therefore different migrant communities have been con-

tacted in a first phase of this project. With Caritas Interna-

tional they published an information leaflet in their mother

tongue. Some migrant organisations organised already an

information session where the possibilities of voluntary

return have been explained.

The first information session on 12th

of December was or-

ganised by Ev Negdel, an organisation representing the

Mongolian community in Belgium. As the majority of the

Mongolian community lives in Antwerp, the information

session was organised in this city at the Scheldt. After the

presentation of the reintegration possibilities in Mongolia,

there was an opportunity to ask questions, concluded by a

drink. The interest and the attention for the information

session was high and this offer of clear information in their

own mother language was an important matter for the

Mongolian community.

On 13th of December the Ecuadorian migrant organisation

ASERB started their session, which they chose to organise on

a wide variety of subjects (and not only voluntary return).

Therefore, also Oscar

Flores of CRER and

Dorien De Troy of

UNIZO were invited.

They gave a presenta-

tion about the regu-

larisation procedure

and about the possi-

bilities to open a busi-

ness in Belgium if

regularised. As a third

issue in this program, a presentation about voluntary return

and reintegration followed. That Sunday morning, a lot of

people were presentad in the Pianofabriek in Saint Gillis,

and though the majority of Ecuadorians apply for regularisa-

tion, there was enough interest for voluntary return as well.

Mônica Pereira representing the Brazilian migrant organisa-

tion Abraço then, chose to reach the large Brazilian commu-

nity in Brussels through the church. In January the catholic

church in Saint Gillis and the church of the Brazilian Christian

community in Anderlecht were visited. After the service we

had the opportunity to talk shortly about reintegration in

Brazil. Afterwards people could ask questions. The church is

a very important meeting place for Brazilians. On a short

time, hundreds of Brazilians could be reached and informed.

At the beginning of Christmas holidays, Caritas International

opened its doors for the Georgian, the Armenian and the

Ukrainian community. The Armenian migrant community

Narek represented by mr Jamharyan, and mrs Managadze as

important key figures in the Georgian community, as well as

mr Kiryenko of the Ukrainian church, had put their forces

together to organize

an information ses-

sion and were trans-

lating simultane-

ously for the present

participants. Mr

Jamharyan as well as

mrs Managadze had

experience of orga-

nizing information sessions out of an earlier cooperation

with Caritas International through the CRI project. After

presentation and questions, everybody could stay and have

typical and original Armenian, Georgian and Ukrainian drinks

and food.

As far as the African communities are concerned, contacts

have been settled with the Guinean, Cameroonian and Sene-

galese communities. The meetings are difficult to organise

but the representants of the Senegalese association SENE-

BEL (www.wasenebel.be) and the Cameroonian BRUKMER

(www.brukmer.be) are already spreading the information in

the heart of the community, and Caritas International inter-

venes on 6th

of February during the Cameroonian cultural

week in Brussels with a debate about the possibilities to

start up a business in their country.

The cooperation with different migrant organisations is very

important to Caritas. These communities know the people

who they are representing, they speak their language and

they know how they can be reached. Moreover this coop-

eration permits us to get to know better the migrant and its

reality in Belgium.

In the near future, information sessions for the Nepalese,

Indian, Bosnian, Kosova, Cameroonian and Guinean commu-

nities are programmed.

Rut Van Caudenberg

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A return story from Nepal

In 2004, the 29 year old Ram Chandra fled the civil war in Nepal and

came to Belgium in the hope to obtain a residence permit here.

When, after four years waiting, it became clear that he had no

chance to obtain legal documents, he decided to return to Nepal

In order to facilitate his reintegration, he asked Caritas international

to support his return. From the start, Ram Chandra had a clear plan

about how to invest his reintegration budget: he had obtained a lot of

computer knowledge in Belgium and he wanted to use this knowledge

to start up a computer shop, as the interest in computers and the

internet is strongly increasing in Nepal.

Ram Chandra went back to his country end October, just in time to

celebrate the important religious Deepawali festival, the festival of

light, together with his family. Ram Chandra could live with his par-

ents again. His wife and son had stayed with them during his absence.

After returning, Ram Chandra contacted Caritas Nepal and as planned,

he invested his reintegration budget in a computer shop. While it was

too expensive to start up a business on his own, he became partner in

the business of a friend. The store runs well, although the high com-

petition doesn’t make it easy. Currently, Ram Chandra is looking for

additional budget to extend the store with an electric device depart-

ment. He hopes to be able to borrow money from friends to realize

this.

In February 2009, some staff members of Caritas International visited

their partner in Kathmandu and brought also a visit to Ram Chandra

and his family in Chitwan. Ram Chandra stressed that it is very impor-

tant to be able to fall back on support from friends and family. That

support made his return a lot easier. Beside that, he thinks that having

an income is the most important factor the have a successful return.

Ram Chandra told us that he is satisfied with his shop and that he will

do everything to build out his business. Five months after his return,

he considered that returning has been the right decision.

Ine Lietaert

Jacob, who returned in November, wished to obtain extra assistance

upon his return to open a pizzeria.

Jacob returned in November to Kumanova, a city in Macedonia, at a

distance of 20 km from the capital Skopje. In Macedonia, we work

together with our local partner Nadez-CSI/Caritas Macedonia. Klara is

the social worker who is responsible for the return assistance.

Jakob still has family (wife and children) and friends in his home coun-

try. After his return, he could rely on them. The idea for his micro

business came mainly from his experience as manager of a pizzeria.

His plans were discussed in Belgium and Caritas International Belgium

contacted the local partner to check the feasibility of this project.

Starting an income generating activity is encouraged because this

gives people the opportunity to support themselves and their family,

but starting up a business is not always evident because often the

economical conditions are difficult in the country of origin.

Immediately after his return, Jacob contacted Klara. Klara always tries

to visit the people at their houses (if people agree with this) to form a

picture of the needs (and life conditions) of the returnees.

Klara and Jacob talked about the reintegration project. During the visit,

they agreed that Jacob should take his time to visit different shops and

companies in Kumanova to compare the prices. After he made a study

of all the cost, the required material was bought.

Jacob was very pleased with the cooperation with the local partner,

although the 700 euro appeared to be insufficient to buy the entire

equipment for his restaurant. Klara is waiting now for the official open-

ing of the pizzeria, which is expected in March 2010…

Sofie De Mot

Ram Chandra and his business partner

A return story from Macedonia