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Who We Are
WHO WE AREThe International Organization for Migration (IOM) is part of the United Nations System as the leading inter-governmental organization promoting since 1951 humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, with 175 member states and a presence in over 100 countries. IOM has had a presence in Bulgaria since 2000.
About
About
IOM Global
IOM Global
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Our Work
Our WorkAs the leading inter-governmental organization promoting since 1951 humane and orderly migration, IOM plays a key role to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through different areas of intervention that connect both humanitarian assistance and sustainable development. Across Bulgaria, IOM assists the development of national mechanisms to combat and counteract trafficking in human beings and supports victims of trafficking.
Cross-cutting (Global)
Cross-cutting (Global)
- Data and Resources
- Take Action
- 2030 Agenda
- Support for unaccompanied minors, seeking international protection
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The project is funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism - 2014-2021
Overall objective of the project: To ensure continued functioning of both Safety Zones in the Ovcha Kupel and the Voenna Rampa reception centers in Sofia, and to contribute to improving the mechanism for providing comprehensive support to unaccompanied minors seeking international protection, including to providing a safe environment for accommodation as well as social, psychological, and legal support, cultural mediation, interpretation, and access to basic services for unaccompanied minors seeking protection in Bulgaria.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 12.09.2022
End date: 12.03.2024
Term of implementation: 18 months
You can find more about the project here
- Capacity Building for Voluntary Return
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020
with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Overall objective of the project:
Improvement of voluntary return management by encouraging and supporting the return of third-country nationals (TCNs). Achievement of this goal will support the implementation of measures for voluntary return and reintegration by building capacity of public institutions and non-government organizations (NGOs) in Bulgaria.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 28.01.2021
End date: 27.01.2023
Term of implementation: 24 months
You can find more information about the project here. - Increasing the Awareness and Tolerance of the Bulgarian Society and Migrant Communities in Bulgaria
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020
with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.The overall objective of the activities envisaged under the project is to contribute to the improvement of the social solidarity and tolerance of the Bulgarian society as a host society with respect to third-country nationals (TCNs) legally residing in Bulgaria, including persons who are seeking or have been granted international protection in Bulgaria. Special attention will be paid to introducing Bulgarian society to the problems and needs of migrants and, in particular, those of vulnerable migrants such as unaccompanied children, persons suffering from health problems, pregnant women, survivors of human trafficking, etc.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 11.10.2017
End date: 10.10.2022
Term of implementation: 48 months
You can find more information about the project here. - Training and Counselling of Legal Migrants, Asylum Seekers and Beneficiaries of International Protection
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020
with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.The overall objective of the project is to provide support to third-country nationals (TCNs) legally residing in Bulgaria, including asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection, for the purposes of facilitating their social, economic and cultural integration. TCNs will receive information about the legal rights and obligations related to their stay in Bulgaria and will improve their knowledge concerning relevant social, educational, health and labor service providers.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 11.10.2017
End date: 10.10.2022
Term of implementation: 48 months
More information about the project can be found here. - Provision of Integration Support to Asylum Seekers and Beneficiaries of International Protection in Bulgaria
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020
with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.The overall objective of the project is to provide support to third-country nationals (TCNs) legally residing in Bulgaria, including asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection, for the purposes of facilitating their social, economic and cultural integration. TCNs will receive information about the legal rights and obligations related to their stay in Bulgaria and will improve their knowledge concerning relevant social, educational, health and labor service providers.
Overall objective of the project: within the framework of this project, IOM will provide administrative, legal, health, psychological and social assistance to persons seeking international protection or beneficiaries of international protection in Bulgaria, with special attention being paid to the needs of vulnerable groups. The team of experts, comprising a psychologist, social worker and legal counselor, will provide services in the Registration and Reception Centers (RRCs) of the State Agency for Refugees (SAR) and at IOM’s offices in Sofia and Harmanli.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 07.12.2017
End date: 06.12.2022
Term of implementation: 36 months
More information about the project can be found here. - Legal Counselling and Interpretation Services to Asylum Seekers in Bulgaria
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020
with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.The overall objective of the project is to provide legal assistance and interpretation services to third-country nationals (TCNs) who have applied for international protection in Bulgaria within the meaning of Directive 2011/95/EC but have not yet received a final decision. Information and awareness-raising services in relation to the rights and responsibilities of TCNs will also be offered.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 11.10.2017
End date: 10.10.2022
Term of implementation: 48 months
More information about the project can be found here. - Strengthening the Capacity of National Institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations in the Field of Asylum
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020
with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.The overall objective of the project is to improve the services offered to persons seeking international protection by strengthening and enhancing the administrative capacity of national institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with these persons.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 11.10.2017
End date: 10.10.2022
Term of implementation: 48 months
More information about the project can be found here. - Provision of Social and Psychological Support to Asylum Seekers in Bulgaria, Including Identification of and Support to Vulnerable Groups
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020
with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.Overall objective of the project: within the framework of this project, IOM will provide social and psychological support during the initial phase of adaptation of persons seeking international protection, as well as identification of and support to vulnerable persons. A team of experts, comprising a psychologist, social worker and cultural mediator, will provide services at the Registration and Reception Centers (RRCs) of the State Agency for Refugees (SAR) in Banya, Harmanli, Pastrogor and Sofia and in IOM’s offices. In order to improve coordination and communication with the Bulgarian institutions, the consulting team will be supported by experts who will assist in the planning and scheduling of consultations, liaison with institutions and accessing healthcare and social services.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 11.10.2017
End date: 10.10.2022
Term of implementation: 48 months
More information about the project can be found here. - Awareness raising of local communities in areas with significant share of Roma population on asylum and migration issues
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The project is financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021.
Overall objective of the project:
The objective of the project is to facilitate the access to information of the Roma communities in the sphere of legislation, regulating issues regarding asulym and migration, as well as the risks of exploitation in Bulgaria, the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA).
The target group of the project will receive information about the rights and obligations they have when migrating in countries of the EU/EEA and information on subjects such as asulym and migration, human trafficking, risks and access to protection of labour exploitation in the EU/EEA, accomodation and labour conditions, access to healthcare and social services and other such topics.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 30.01.2020
End date: 30.01.2024
Term of implementation: 48 months - Support for asylum seekers in Bulgaria
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020
with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.The overall objective of the project is improving the mechanism for social and psychological assistance for asylum seekers (AS) by identifying vulnerable persons and their needs, including the needs of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) and providing a safe environment and social support for the UASC.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 28.01.2021
End date: 28.07.2022
Term of implementation: 18 months - Awareness rising for labour mobility in Bulgaria
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020
with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.The overall objective of the project is to provide support to prospective migrants from Armenia, Georgia and Moldova to improve their decision-making process in regard to potential labour migration to Bulgaria, by providing them with comprehensive information on living and working in Bulgaria. Thus, the project will allow people to take an informed decision when considering moving in Bulgaria and will reduce the risk of violating the law and/or becoming a victim of abuse and labour exploitation.
The project is implemented by IOM Mission in Bulgaria in coordination and operational collaboration with IOM Missions in Armenia, Georgia and Moldova.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 28.01.2021
End date: 31.12.2022You can find more information about the project here
- Information and consulting for voluntary return
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020
with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.PROJECT:
BG65AMNP001-3.005-0003-C02 “Information and consulting for voluntary return”, Agreement No 812108-61/09.10.2019The overall goal of the project is contribution to the improvement the management of the return of third-country nationals to Bulgaria by encouraging and supporting the voluntary return and raising the awareness of third-country nationals about the possibilities for voluntary return and reintegration of countries of origin and third countries. countries.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 09.10.2019
End date: 31.12.2022
Implementation: 38 months
You can find more information on the project here. -
- Return and Reintegration of Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings
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The project is funded by the National Programme of Bulgaria under the Thematic Fund Security of the Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Programme
The overall objective of the project is to support the Bulgarian government in its efforts to combat trafficking in human beings by contributing to the improvement of the protection of both Bulgarian nationals who have been victims of trafficking in human beings and of foreign nationals trafficked to Bulgaria. The project also aims to improve the administrative capacity of the Bulgarian authorities to provide protection and assistance to victims and witnesses of trafficking.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 01.01.2015
End date: 31.12.2018
Term of implementation: 48 months - Return and Reintegration of Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings
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The project is funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers
The overall objectives of the project are:
prevention of violence against children and respect for their rights on the migration path, from the point of arrival at hotspots, during transit and in reception centers; support and improve integrated national child protection systems; capacity building for staff of child protection agencies, asylum and migration authorities, NGOs and other persons working for and with children, including volunteers; collecting information and monitoring the situation of refugee and migrant children.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 15.10.2016
End date: 14.04.2018
Term of implementation: 18 monthsThe brochures for the project can be found here, in the following languages: bulgarian, english, аrabic, farsi, kurdish, pashto and urdu.
You can find a project poster here.
An analysis on the project can be found here.One of the main activities of the project is the reunification of families that have been separated for one reason or another during the migration process, mainly because of conflicts or dangers on the migration path.
- Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Support for Third Country Nationals
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020 with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The overall objective of the project is to contribute to improving the management of assisted voluntary return and reintegration (AVRR) of third-country nationals (TCNs) through the promotion of and assistance with voluntary return, as well as by raising the awareness of TCNs of the possibilities for AVRR to their countries of origin and safe third countries.
Status: ENDED
Start date: 13.10.2015
End date: 12.10.2017
Term of implementation: 24 months - Provision of individual consultations on opportunities for voluntary return and reintegration of third country nationals and specialized legal consultations
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020 with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The overall objective of the project is to improve the management of the return of third-country nationals (TCN) by encouraging and supporting voluntary return and raising awareness among TCN on the possibilities for voluntary return and reintegration into countries of origin and third countries.
Status: ENDED
Start date: 13.10.2015
End date: 12.10.2017
Term of implementation: 24 months
More information about the project can be found here. - Strengthening of the National Capacity of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Fields of Asylum and Migration
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020 with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The overall objective of the project is to focus on:
improving migrant reception conditions, in particular by providing psycho-social and legal services;
helping to combat the trafficking of vulnerable migrants and improving the protection of unaccompanied minors;
providing information and advice to third-country nationals on the possibilities for voluntary return.
The project includes AVRR components.Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 23.11.2016
End date: 30.09.2019
Term of implementation: 36 months
More information about the project can be found here. - Developing Specialized Training Modules for Health Professionals, Law Enforcement Officers and Trainers on Migrant and Refugee Health-Related Issues, with a Focus on Contagious Diseases and Mental Health Problems
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The overall objective of the project is to prepare different categories of healthcare professionals and law enforcement officers to address the specific health needs of migrants - for example, border officers of the Republic of Bulgaria. The main focus is on contagious diseases and mental health problems. To this end, IOM organizes trainings for the respective employees and healthcare professionals, who then apply the developed practices in the national context. More information about the project can be found here.
Status: COMPLETED
- Preventing sexual and gender-based violence against migrants and strengthening support to victims
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The project is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme 2014-2020
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a prevalent human rights violation both globally and on the European level. SGBV has both physical and psychological forms, it includes domestic violence, sexual harassment and violence, harmful traditional practices, exploitation and trafficking in human beings. Women and men, girls and boys and LGBTQI people can all become victims of such violence.
The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the capacities of existing national support services for sexual and gender based violence to coordinate better and make these systems available for refugee, migrant and asylum seeker victims and potential victims of SGBV. The project also aims to raise awareness among and empower these communities.
The project is implemented by 12 IOM country offices (Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia and Spain) and eight NGO partners, Legebitra (Slovenia), Le monde selon les femmes abl (Belgium), Fundación EMET Arco Iris, Asociación Rumiñahui, Movimiento por la Paz (Spain), Arq Psychotrauma Expert Groep, Rutgers, and Pharos (Netherlands) between October 2018 and March 2020.
The project has the following specific objectives and activities that will be implemented during its 18-month project cycle. Most of the activities will be tailored to specific national context.
Strengthen and adapt existing national support services for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) to coordinate better and include refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers.
Build capacity for professionals who work with and for refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers with the aim of identifying and addressing the needs of victims and potential victims of SGBV more effectively.
Empower and inform refugee and migrant communities and asylum-seekers of SGBV and its prevention through a regional awareness-raising campaign.By the end of the project the following outputs will be produced:
SOPs/Guidelines developed / reviewed / contributed to in 8 countries Empowerment Handbook (Bulgaria) 120+ trainings organized in 12 countries 13 000+ information materials distributed 200+ information session organized on SGBV prevention
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 01 October 2018
End date: 31 March 2020
Term of implementation: 18 monthsFor further information, please contact: +359 2 93 94 774
- Protection of Vulnerable Migrants and Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Support
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The project is funded by the National Program of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020
with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.The overall objective of the project is to focus on:
improving reception conditions, in particular the provision of psycho-social services and support to counter the trafficking of vulnerable migrants, and strengthen the protection of unaccompanied minors; providing information and advice to third-country nationals on the possibilities for voluntary return; supporting voluntary return to countries of origin.
Status: COMPLETED
Start date: 01.06.2017
End date: 15.06.2019
Term of implementation: 24 months
More information about the project can be found here.The project includes AVRR components.