Strengthening of the Migration and Asylum Management System in the Republic of North Macedonia (MANOMA)
Coordinator of the grant contract – European Project Implementation Centre of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (Poland) – EPIC MoIA
Beneficiary – Ministry of Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia
Other institutions involved – Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of North Macedonia, Polish Border Guard, Polish Office For Foreigners, Directorate of Foreign Policy Service of the Czech Republic, Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (Hungary), Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Slovenia, European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex)
The overall objective of the project is to improve the detection, protection and orderly return of irregular migrants arriving in the Republic of North Macedonia.
The specific objectives of the project are increasing capacities of border management authorities from North Macedonia in the field of migration management, detection of irregular migration and orderly management of return and improving culturally and gender-sensitive management of centres for foreigners.
The Project’s support covers the following actions:
1. Organisation of workshop on migration management, detection of irregular migration and return management in North Macedonia
The scope of the workshop covers:
- experience with migration management in Poland and Czech Republic;
- profiling of persons/behaviour analysis;
- identification methods and tools as well as legal and organizational solutions;
- role of European Return Liaison Officer (EURLO) management of detention centres for foreigners and using detention alternatives;
- experiences in the organization and implementation of assistance in the voluntary return of foreigners to their countries of origin;
- practical experience in preparing and carrying out forced returns by air.
2. Training for border management authorities from North Macedonia on organising returns by air.
The course is aimed to cover all tasks of the escorts officer, in compliance with the International, EU and FRONTEX legal framework, and the best practices concerning Fundamental Rights and the use of force. The training will improve practical skills of interacting during return operations and responding to problematic situations that may arise. Ways of solving them will be practised so that the participants will able to respond quickly to the current and emerging challenges.
3. Study visits for border management authorities from North Macedonia regarding on functioning of detention and reception centres in Poland and Czech Republic
Study visits to closed detention and open reception centre for foreigners in Poland and Czech Republic together with practical workshops are planned under this activity. During 5 days it is planned to visit at least two facilities (one detention centre and one reception).
4. Training for border management authorities from North Macedonia on international protection of foreigners
The scope of the workshop is as follows:
- types and forms of international protection;
- the procedures for submission and processing of applications for international protection;
- course of action in relation to foreigners who have been granted or denied international protection;
- functioning of the open centres for foreigners and institutional aid rules to foreigners;
- identification and dealing with „vulnerable groups”, especially victims of trafficking and unaccompanied minors;
- conducting interviews;
- examples of decisions of administrative courts.
In addition to the above-mentioned indicative subjects, a special attention will be paid to respecting human/ fundamental rights of refugees, asylum applicants and migrants at the European borders in the migration management context.
5. Training for border management authorities from North Macedonia on intercultural communication and conflict resolution in a multicultural environment
The aim of the training is to support staff in solving current conflict situations occurring in officer/staff-foreigner relations in a multicultural environment. The specificity of working with irregular migrants from different cultures, uncertain about their fate, highly motivated to get to their final migration destination at all costs, requires that staff working in this demanding environment on a daily basis should be provided with the right knowledge and substantive support.
Planned results:
The managerial and executive staff of border management authorities from North Macedonia will get acquainted with EU experiences and practices in the relevant field so that they will be able to adopt some elements of the system into their own national system.
The newly acquired knowledge and skills may be utilised immediately (mainly for the conduct of return operations by air) and also facilitate structural improvement of the migration system and asylum procedures in North Macedonia in the longer term. Project beneficiaries will be able to implement the presented solutions on the national level. The knowledge gained and experiences shared will enable for a more efficient migration and asylum management in the country including organization of return actions and management of centres for foreigners.
Project jest implemented until 31 May 2025.
Project „Strengthening of the Migration and Asylum Management System in the Republic of North Macedonia – MANOMA is co-financed by the European Union within the the Migration Partnership Facility (MPF).
The budget of the project is EUR 479,308.24.
