Migration information and raising awareness on the risks of irregular migration in Iraq

ended

This project will focus on information dissemination and awareness raising among potential migrants and returnees in Iraq. The campaign will apply three intervention levels - mass media, community outreach and personal counselling - to communicate balanced information irregular migration, options for legal pathways, skills development in Iraq as well as legal, social and economic realities of life of irregular migrants in Europe. With this approach, the project will embed a personal behavioural approach through community outreach and personal consultation sessions, targeting both prospective migrants, their key influencers and returnees. The project will build sustainable networks among different groups of stakeholders to enhance their capacity in raising awareness, in particular within the Government of Iraq. Understanding that effective information and awareness campaigns are built on strong background research, the project will conduct an empirical study on potential (irregular) migrants’ information needs and gaps, their migration intentions, motivations and decision-making processes, their key influencers and channels likely to reach them. Together with lessons learned from ICMPD’s existing practical experience in migration awareness campaigns in Iraq and in the wider Silk Routes region, through the “Migrant Resource Centre” (MRC) approach, the knowledge gained through the research will inform the campaign design and lead to campaign activities with pre-tested messages tailored to the local context. The campaigns are planned to focus on already known (irregular) migration-prone areas in Iraq, with a focus on the Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI). The project aims at empowering the Iraqi people to take an informed decision on their migration trajectory, as well as identify their reintegration opportunities for returnees. A robust evaluation of the campaign activities will allow to adapt within the action duration and identify lessons learned for future campaigns.