Displacement and migration

Displacement and migration pose challenges for policy-makers and wider society, but regulated and safe migration can also offer development opportunities. 

Why people leave their homes

People leave their homes for a variety of reasons: 

• Wars, violence, or political or religious persecution may force them to flee.
• Climate change is making entire regions uninhabitable.
• Others move for better work or educational opportunities. 

We are work all around the world to deal with these challenges. We help people to develop new opportunities and harness the positive effects of migration for development.

Our approach to the topic of displacement

We support the countries and regions hosting displaced people, as well as the displaced people themselves, helping them to take their future into their own hands. We combine education and training with psychological support and peacebuilding measures. Where legally possible, we also help with integration into the local labour market.

Our basic principle: We consider the needs of everyone involved – the host population, refugees and returnees. Many displaced people have been through traumatic experiences. Mental health and psychosocial support is therefore a central component of our work.

Policy advice on displacement

(Forced) displacement is a topic that needs political answers and structures that work. We support governments, institutions and communities in developing legal, political and social frameworks for (re)integration, protection and asylum. In doing so, we take care not to exacerbate existing conflicts.

Our advice is based on human rights and gender equality. We strengthen the rights of those affected and remind states of their obligation to protect displaced people, as required by international human rights conventions and the Geneva Refugee Convention.

Our approach to migration

We promote the positive aspects of migration so that countries of origin, host countries and the migrants themselves benefit from it (triple-win approach). 

• Before migration: We provide information and training and develop fair models for labour migration together with the countries of origin.
• Engaging migrants: Migrants support their countries of origin in a variety of ways – by sending financial remittances to their families, starting businesses that create jobs or sharing their knowledge when they return. 

After migrants’ return: We support economic, social and political reintegration. Our measures are aimed at both returnees and the local population.

Policy advice on migration

We support partner governments and regional organisations in improving the legal, political and social conditions for migration. This involves: 

• Policy coherence for safe and regular migration routes
• Capacity building for cooperation against human trafficking and smuggling
• Strengthening civil society, which often has the most direct contact with those affected

Civil society actors can represent the interests of the target groups vis-à-vis state institutions and improve their ability to assert their legal rights, for example.