Coordinated European Red Cross Initiative in the Area of Return Management

1. Coordinated European Red Cross Initiative in the Area of Return Management short name European Red Cross Return Initiative

2. OVERALL OBJECTIVE To contribute to sustainable return in safety and dignity through effective co-operation and co-ordination among National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Secretariat of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the International Federation) as well as with external stakeholders.

3. OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE To further develop the capabilities for co-ordinated return activities of European Red Cross Societies, as a complement to return management actions by the Member States and other actors, taking into account the extensive experience of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in assisting and protecting asylum seekers, refugees and migrants.

4. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES To assess capacities and approaches of European Red Cross Societies to further develop activities, promote engagement and identify capacity-building needs, e.g. technical assistance; To assess the capacities and approaches of the ICRC and the International Federation to support a co-ordinated Red Cross and Red Crescent response; To assess capacity and interest of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in three countries of return, promote engagement and identify capacity-building needs, e.g. technical assistance;

5. Specific objectives cont. • In dialogue with a selected number of EU Governments, to identify gaps in the Member States were the potential of the Red Cross in its complementary and auxiliary role can be best utilized; • In dialogue with other major actors, e.g. UNHCR and IOM, to clarify roles and identify opportunities of co-operation; • To identify the specific added value/advantages of European Red Cross engagement and practical joint activities, potentially including return counselling and preparations, monitoring and re-integration support in co-operation with National Societies in countries of return; • To provide recommendations and initiate further actions as needed, including on the establishment of an effective co-ordination structure/network and implementation of concrete joint return projects.