For the first time in its history, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, starts supporting the Member States in providing reintegration measures to migrants returned to their countries of origin. Selected reintegration partners, Caritas Int. Belgium, IRARA, WELDO, ETTC and LifeMakers Foundation Egypt, will ensure to non-EU nationals and their families a number of qualified services, such as long-term housing, medical assistance, job counselling, education, assistance in setting up a small business, family reunification, in 26 different countries.
“The Joint Reintegration Services makes us able to write the next chapter in EU efforts to provide professional reintegration assistance,” said Fabrice Leggeri, Frontex Executive Director.
This initiative will also ensure the continuation of activities provided by the EU-funded European Return and Reintegration Network (ERRIN), established in 2018 and to be concluded in June 2022.
“We stand on these crossroads, we are excited for what the future might bring, and we wish the Agency the best with the Joint Reintegration Services from this day forth,” said Jos de Wit, Head of Department Europe and Projects Division, the Netherlands Repatriation and Departure Service.
The mandate of the Agency provides for possible support immediately after the arrival of the migrants in their home countries, as well as for long-term reintegration, and aims at making returns more effective, humane, and sustainable to tackle roots causes of illegal migration.
“The start of the Frontex Joint Reintegration Services is an important milestone in more than one way. This is a part of the Agency fulfilling its mandate. It is a part of the EU Strategy on Voluntary Return and Reintegration. It is also a part of the coming to an end of the very successful experience we have had with ERRIN,” said Michael Shotter, Deputy Director General of DG HOME, European Commission.