Migration 

In line with Helvetas’ inclusive systems approach, migration interventions are designed and implemented along three complementary and interlinked levels of change: people (individual change), partnerships (societal change), and frame conditions (structural change). Our migration work integrates with the other working fields of governance and civic space as well as conflict transformation. We recognize their interdependence and therefore opportunities for more integrated approaches and more sustainable results.

We work with migrants and concerned stakeholders along the migration cycle continuum.  Interventions for migrants vary depending on the needs and the context and include access to information, delivery of basic services (e.g., shelter), food security and livelihoods support, protection services, access to education and vocational skills training, and facilitation of linkages with potential employers. On the departure side, we work with families left behind by helping them to better manage remittances or by offering psychosocial or legal support. On the arrival side, we also work with receiving communities, promoting social cohesion and access to resources and services for all. We promote the voices of migrants through meaningful participation and inclusive decision-making processes to increase their self-reliance. By improving access to inclusive services, migrants are more resourced, better protected and can exercise their rights, while contributing to the socio-economic development of their home and host communities.

Helvetas cooperates with local and national organizations, as well as relevant service providers and government authorities working with migrant populations, and helps them build or strengthen their capacity to deliver responsive services to migrants. Helvetas also supports migrants’ networks to promote safer migration, migrants’ rights and convey specific migration-related advocacy messages.

Helvetas supports civil society organizations, the private sector and the government to improve the inclusion of migrant populations and the promotion of social cohesion. Together we develop long-term perspectives and work closely with duty bearers to establish a framework to better protect and empower migrant populations through inclusive policies. To achieve this, advocacy work in our partner countries and in Switzerland is instrumental.

What we offer

• Expertise in key intervention areas: safe labor migration and fair recruitment, forced displacement, climate-linked mobility, urban migration, gender and migration.
• Include different migration aspects and dynamics in designing and planning development and humanitarian interventions.
• Advice on strengthening good governance, gender and social cohesion in all migration matters through close collaboration with other advisors with complementary areas of expertise.
• Implementation of a migrant-inclusive/centered approach to promote the leave no one behind commitment and the inclusion of the most underserved populations.
• Strengthening institutions: Capacity development of state and non-state actors, including parliaments and private sector.
• Support government actors in improving public services and policies, including transboundary
• Strengthen civil society, including migrant representatives and associations, to engage in advocacy and policy dialogue at local, national and international levels.
• Geographical coverage: Our diverse, multilingual advisors based in the Global South and in Switzerland provide technical and strategic support to projects and partners in Europe, Africa, Asia, MENA and Latin America. Learn more here.