“Preventing and Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings in the Western Balkans” Project (PaCT)
Starting from the second half of 2019, German International Cooperation (GIZ) supports MARRI and MARRI Participants in addressing prevention of trafficking in human beings and protection of the (potential) victims of the crime, through joint implementation of a 3.5 years PaCT project.
The project is a response to the conclusion that the increased use of the services of human smugglers due to restrictive migration policy of EU countries since 2016, had increased the risk of exploitation and human trafficking of the migrants in the Western Balkans region. The low level of awareness of and resilience to the dangers of human trafficking both among refugees and among local populations in Western Balkan highlights the need to strengthen or establish mechanisms and structures for identifying human trafficking survivors. PaCT aims to build and expand capacity at local, Participant and regional levels to create prerequisites for an improved situation of victims of trafficking in human beings and guaranteed fulfillment of their rights.
The project will operate through four lines of action – Prevention, Protection, Partnerships and Support Services. As a strategic partner, MARRI will play important role throughout the project in all four lines of action by facilitating regional dialogue and exchange of best practices, lessons learned and new approaches.
The overall objectives of the project are to:
- Introduce approaches to strengthening the resilience of vulnerable groups to the risks of trafficking in regional exchanges;
- Improve capacity to identify victims and potential victims of trafficking in human beings;
- Strengthen the conditions for improved coordination and cooperation in NRMs;
- Improve availability of concepts for target group-specific psycho-social counseling services and mental health in protection structures.
One of the project’s products is the Practitioner’s Guide for Developing Strategies against Trafficking in Human Beings and Action Plans which contains all recommendations that GRETA, US TIP Report and other relevant anti-trafficking organizations have provided in the previous years. The Practitioner’s Guide is available in English and local languages of the MARRI Participants.
The regional research within PaCT project regarding the changing patterns in human trafficking resulted in Analysis Report: Trends of Human Trafficking in the MARRI Participants. The report is based on the data and information gathered from the MARRI authorities and other anti-trafficking stakeholders in the region.
Other products include:
all available on MARRI local languages.
GIZ Technical assistance projects aimed at MARRI Reform
In May 2016, MARRI Regional Centre and German International Cooperation (GIZ) re-established the cooperation which resulted with support to the ongoing MARRI Reform. The two components of the support are:
- Placement of an integrated expert in MARRI RC for regional data collection and analysis as well as development of services for MARRI Participants, for period of two years;
- Providing assessment and advice for MARRI RC on administrative issues, human resources management and organizational development. The overall aim of the support is to provide MARRI Participants with data and recommendations for enabling an informed decision on the future organizational structure and personnel concept of MARRI RC.
Activities already implemented resulted with Scoping Mission Report, workshop aimed at capacity building of MARRI RC, revision of MARRI Financial and Internal work procedures and Mission Report on HR assessment.
Capacity-building under the GIZ/PaCT Project and GIZ PMD/MiGov Programme
The German Governmental Programme PMD/MiGov, through GIZ, supports MARRI RC to become a professional Knowledge Hub. MARRI personnel received several trainings in Knowledge Management, Public Communications and two modules of Gender Responsive Migration. At individual level, “Stress Management”, “Diplomatic Protocol” and “EU Funding/Project Management” trainings as well as “Fundraising Strategy”, “Financial Management”, “Photography and Videography” and “Human Resources Management” and other coaching were provided.
The support also included the secondment of Integrated Expert Christoph von Harsdorf as Principal Advisor on Strategic Development of MARRI and Chief Analyst till February 2022, and a donation of IT and Communication equipment worth exactly EUR 10.000. Plans for further capacitating of MARRI RC personnel and other options of support are under discussion for 2022 and 2023.