The final conference of the Pilot project “Providing refugee resettlement assistance to the government of the Republic of Croatia” took place in Tuhelj near Zagreb on 12 and 13 June 2019, organised by IOM Croatia.

Participants were welcomed by Mr Ivan Piteša from IOM Croatia, Dragan Aleksoski, Senior Regional Emergency and Post-Crisis Specialist from Regional IOM office in Vienna, as well by Mr Robert Bucić who greeted all in front of Ministry of the Interior.  In general, the final conference aimed and succeeded to meet the representatives of the sectors of social centers, employment, education, health care, accommodation and integration of refugees at the state, regional and local level, as well as the expert and wider public with the results achieved and project outcomes.

Related to the above, Ms Jo DE BACKER from IOM Brussels, Regional thematic specialist for Resettlement and Relocation gave presentation concerning Pre-departure and RST programming.  Her colleague Ms Geertrui LANNEAU, Senior Regional Labor Migration and Human Development Specialist presented to the participants essential issues regarding the understanding of migration along with a key element of integration. In addition to exchange of the experiences, participants participated in practical and interactive workshops analyzing the situation and challenges and finding practical solutions for the integration steps in the future. Conference was closed by bringing the conclusions and results of an identified challenges throughout SWOT analysis.

The main objective of the Croatia’s resettlement pilot project was to facilitate the relocation of 150 Syrian refugees to the Republic of Croatia with the emphasis on providing resettlement support and orientation program upon arrival as well as support for early integration measures of refugees appointed by the Government to relocate to the Croatia.

Through the project, which will last till the end of July 2019, capacities have been set up and networking of relevant stakeholders at the level of central and local government and local and regional self-government.