Background information

This EMN Inform summarises the main findings of the EMN study “Dissemination of Information on Voluntary Return: how to reach irregular migrants not in contact with the authorities".

The Inform presents an analysis of the different approaches employed in the EU Member States and Norway to ensure that irregular migrants are informed of options for return, with particular reference to voluntary and assisted voluntary return. It describes national campaigns and methods, and the effectiveness of these in reaching out to and informing third-country nationals not in contact with the authorities.

Inform: some findings

• It is not possible to produce exact estimate of irregular migrants in the EU, due to the clandestine nature of the phenomenon, but (proxy) indicators suggest that irregular migration is increasing in many Member States.
• Several challenges in disseminating information on voluntary return to irregular migrants are common to most Member States, such as: how and where to target irregular migrants when they are not in contact with disseminating actors; language barriers; the unwillingness of migrants to leave Europe (also meaning they may not be receptive to information about voluntary return)…
• All Member States regulate how information on voluntary return should be disseminated to irregular migrants, either through legislation, soft law or practitioner guidelines. Policy or legislation on the dissemination of information has been recently amended or is about to be amended in nine (Member) States, suggesting an increasing interest in strengthening rules and practice to promote voluntary return.
• In half of all (Member) States, state actors maintain a limited role in the dissemination of information, as this task is mainly outsourced to intergovernmental organisations or civil society organisations.
• The dissemination tools most commonly used by the Member States are leaflets/brochures, posters, and websites with audio-visual information which offer anonymity and easy access to users. Many Member States also provide helplines  and drop-in clinics.
• There is little robust evidence of the effectiveness of different measures in reaching out to irregular migrants not in contact with the authorities. However, (Member) States have developed some lessons and potential good practices in disseminating information.

Please find additional information in the attached Inform.