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Press release 2 July 2010: IOM Helsinki successfully supports Assisted Voluntary Return in Finland |
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- 100 persons returned voluntarily by the end of June
The development in the number of applications and returns by month under the IOM return project
The IOM project “Developing Assisted Voluntary Return in Finland (DAVRiF)”, launched in January 2010, has by the end of June assisted 100 third country nationals to return to their home countries voluntarily. The growing interest of both voluntary return applicants and IOM’s Finnish partners in the project serves to prove that this project not only complements the work of IOM’s partners but also fills a recognized gap in the Finnish migration system.
The main goal of the project is to develop a general and permanent voluntary return programme to assist third country nationals to return to their home countries voluntarily. The project responds to the expressed need of streamlining and developing practices concerning voluntary return in Finland. This is achieved by increasing and strengthening cooperation between Finnish authorities and other interest groups working with voluntary return.
The project is unique in Finland where a general and permanent voluntary return programme has never before been established, although the need for a such a programme has been on the political agenda for a number of years. The EU Return Directive, planned to be transposed to Finnish legislation before the end of 2010, imposes requirements for the return procedures of third country nationals and emphasizes voluntary return as the preferred form of return.
For the returnees, the programme provides a dignified alternative for returning home as well as financial support for the reintegration in the country of origin. ”The project offers voluntary return assistance and helps the returnees to restart their lives in their countries of origin. Both the programme continuity and the development of best practices are important from the returnees’ point of view. Guidance and help for persons considering voluntary return can be available right from the beginning and will no longer be limited by various short-time projects” says Jacob Jørgensen, Project Coordinator at IOM Helsinki.
Jørgensen finds that the large number of applicants confirms the importance of the project: “The fast increase in the number of applicants shows that the project is needed from the returnees’ perspective”. By the end of June 2010, 145 persons had applied to return voluntarily under the project.
The project is supported financially by the EU Return Fund and the Finnish Immigration Service.
Read more on the project pages…
 IOM Lehdistotiedote.pdf
IOM Press Release.pdf
EU Return Fund
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 13 July 2010 )
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