/in , /by

IRIS NETWORK NEWSLETTER – JANUARY – JUNE 2020
COVID REACTION STORIES

In spite of the global scale, severity, and widespread uncertainty of the coronavirus outbreak, which hindered the efforts of the Iris Network and its members, the Network has been regularly following the activities of its members, especially their responses throughout the ongoing  COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the lessons learned in the face of the pandemic was that the ability to react promptly and tackle the new challenges in an innovative way have been pivotal in surpassing the crisis.  For that reason, the January – June Edition of the Newsletter features the stories of the Network members, in which they shared how they managed to adapt their activities to the new reality.

Along the same lines, the Iris Network conducted a survey among its members and based on the thorough analysis of their responses complied a Report  on  Social  Services  during  Coronavirus  Pandemic  in  Western  Balkan  Countries (link).

Members of the Network reported that they have not been included by local governments to participate, discuss and create adequate responses and policies pertaining to the protection of rights of vulnerable categories during COVID-19.  Likewise, IRIS Network members indicated that only a few local authorities have implemented measures in order to maintain current social services, support them and mitigate the critical situation. More so, sources of funding constitute by far the greatest challenge in the current situation, while majority of the survey participants expressed their concern regarding future sources of funding and declared that their expectations lay within the pool of international donors.

Newsletter:

Iris Network Newsletter January – June 2020_engDownload

Iris Network Newsletter January – June 2020 _srbDownload

Montenegro in the integrated migration management process – Monitoring report

/in /by

Montenegro in the integrated process migration management – Monitoring report

The Government of Montenegro, in February 2017, after obtaining an opinion from the EC, adopted the Strategy for integrated migration management in Montenegro for the period 2017-2020. Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of measures planned by the strategy is the responsibility of the Ministry of internal affairs. This is the second strategic document in the field of migration because the Government of Montenegro, in March 2011. adopted the Strategy for Integrated Migration Management in Montenegro for the period 2011-2016.

The main goal of the Strategy is full harmonization and establishment of the legal framework, as well as additionally strengthening the institutional framework that provides the opportunity for effective policy implementation control of migration movements in accordance with EU rules and standards, as well as the establishment monitoring system for monitoring the Strategy and implementation of action plans. The ultimate goal of the Strategy is establishing a society with a late system and recognizable results in the field integrated migration management, which will contribute to regional and overall stability in accordance with EU rules and standards.

Full report:

Monitoring izvjestaj Crna Gora u procesu integrisanog upravljanja migra.._Download

Iris Network member Lastovica – Analysis of the needs, interests and skills of young migrants as a precondition for successful social inclusion through employment – Report from the research

/in /by

Iris Network member Lastovica – Analysis of the needs, interests and skills of young migrants as a precondition for successful social inclusion through employment – Report from the research

Today almost 200-300 millions of people are treated as migrants. The vast majority of people that migrate are in search for betterment, whether is employment or economic opportunities. Migration has always been a consequence of the inequality in and between the countries. These inequalities are amplified by wars, conflicts, natural disasters and climate changes. Migration is an inevitable global phenomenon that affects almost every continent and country in the world, and we believe that it will continue for decades to come. On September 19, 2016, a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on Migration called on the international community to respond immediately and provide long-term, strategic evidence-based responses through research.

Analysis of the needs, interests and skills of young migrants as a prerequisite for successful social inclusion through employment is one of the most important studies that will show the current situation in North Macedonia in the period from 15.07.2019 to 15.07.2020. With the help of this study, a part of the global research conducted in the field of migration will be supplemented. Meanwhile in Europe public perceptions of migration continue to stray from the truth. Most Europeans overestimate the number of migrants in their countries, often by 10% or more. In the UK, for example, the public believes that 24% of the British population is now made up of migrants. The actual number is half that, about 13%. In Italy, the figure is even higher. The public believes that 30% of the population is of foreign origin, so the reality is closer to only 7%. These informal realities are important because they affect public opinion, public debate and policy-making processes. Informed public dialogue supported by evidence-based research is key to improving European migration discussions.

The purpose of the information presented in this report is to help establish the basis for reviewing the full range of migration policies: strengthening current integration programs for those already in Europe; designing effective reintegration policies for those who will not be allowed to stay in the countries where they have migrated; and setting up regular channels for more managed and safe migration in and out of Europe.Finally, we hope that this study will spark a discussion on the broader socioeconomic drivers of migration and guide policy makers in our and other countries to collaborate and invest in migration and young migrants for more sustainable policies and migration management.
This year, UN member states have pledged to ensure safe, orderly, regular and responsible migration. If evidence-based policies are implemented, lives can be saved and migrants can contribute to economic development and strengthen the countries in which they move.

See the full report at the links below:

Report migrants – engDownload
Report migrants – mkDownload


Recommendations for CSOs in providing services to migrants on the Serbia – Bosnia route

/in , /by

Recommendations for CSOs in providing services to migrants on the Serbia – Bosnia route

Support to projects of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) – social service providers in SEE in scope of the project „IRIS NETWORKing – CSOs for protection sensitive migration management

Author’s word
The recommendations at your disposal are the result of research that was intended to assist the work of civil society organizations (CSOs) working in the field in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Seen from the perspective of migrants as beneficiaries, as well as CSO representatives, the authors wanted to draw a parallel and a kind of self-assessment is the fieldwork of the organizations recognized by the migrants, and is it considered useful?
Given that state institutions are primarily responsible for the registration and reception of refugees and asylum seekers, we need to carefully set and build our position to become a reliable pillar of support that both the state and beneficiaries can count on. In this coordination, mutual praise and constructive criticism are a necessary prerequisite for progress, in order to create the conditions for qualitative and quantitative improvement of
the overall efforts to overcome the migrant crisis that had its biggest breakthrough in 2015. The research did not aim at assessing the work of state structures, on the contrary, but overview and analyze services provided by CSOs, bearing in mind that the role of CSO is not only providing direct help, but also the role of mediator in referring beneficiaries to an already existing institutional framework of support and services.
With the best intention of helping and doing our job well, we forget to evaluate our work by those who are being helped. Equally important, an evaluation of our work is needed by others who provide this assistance, which may be the object for some future research. With sincerely hope that these Recommendations can be of use to you as a CSO representative, we thank you for your time.
Association of citizens Sigma Plus – Nis, Serbia
Association Nova Generacija – Banja Luka, BiH

**Recommendation are made within the project „Route services“ implemented by NGO Sigma Plus, Serbia in cooperation with Association Nova Generacija, BiH within the IRIS Network small grants scheme with financial support of EU

Publication, download link:

Recommendations for CSOsDownload


Iris Network COVID19 reaction stories – Naše doba

/in /by

NGO Naše doba deals with issues of interest to senior citizens, and our members are mostly retirees. Our age group was particularly vulnerable to the Corona virus and, while required by epidemic protection measures, we did not gather. We used only electronic communication and created a project that encourages other older people to use this type of communication more. Almost everyone in our generation has chronic diseases and we need doctors more often than younger ones, and medicines every day. In Montenegro, there is an electronic service through which health insured persons can make an appointment with their doctor and request medications that the doctor regularly prescribes. However, the elderly rarely use e-services, although most of them have a smartphone and use the Internet. That’s why we made a video guide for using the eHealth service. It simply explains and shows step by step how to register, schedule an examination and order regular therapy. The video was published on the Facebook page of NGO Naše doba and on the website –  http://nasedoba.me/aktuelno/kako-koristiti-servis-ezdravlje/

We believe that this instruction will continue to help many, and not only the elderly, and spare them unnecessary going to the clinic. During the corona crisis, we were supposed to learn to use applications on smartphones at the Club for the Elderly in Podgorica. Thus, with the consent of fAKT donors, we mastered an unplanned lesson.

Iris Network COVID19 reaction stories – Defendologija

/in /by

The resulting epidemiological situation affected all spheres of life, but with strict adherence to all prescribed measures, the Center for Security, Sociological and Criminologist Research continued its work with users, children and parents primarily by providing basic foodstuffs to vulnerable families, who remained without basic means of subsistence, without food, hygiene. During the entire period behind Defendologija, with the support of our strategic partners Save the Children from several divisions, over 100 families received assistance, while with the support of private individuals, the Red Cross, the National Kitchen, the Center for Social Work, the Center for Roma Initiatives, Repopulation Affirmation Center, Miljanić cheese factory, Goranović butcher shop, doo Popović, NTC shop, managed to deliver help several times upon request and need to families whose children are directly involved in life and work on the street.

Good cooperation again showed the strength and importance of togetherness, support and mutual understanding, anti-discrimination and anti-marginalization. This period was critical when it comes to monitoring regular classes for members of the RE population, but the common will and struggle, as well as the built system of trust with users and this time resulted in support by phone, social networks and all other available means, so the users of the Day Center had the full support of the expert team of Defendology in this situation as well. On this occasion, according to the children’s requests, we handed out school supplies for over 100 children (notebooks, crayons, blocks, tempera). This period, although very negative in many aspects of life, in part contributed in a positive way, in a way that some families connected, so in regular communication with parents together we supported learning, family cohesion, togetherness and the importance of the family as a main pillar of one society.

This whole period has shown us once again that we are an integrated support service that is trusted and that only in this way we create a bridge to fight poverty, social exclusion, on the path to understanding, acceptance and togetherness.