The programme will build upon current activities and continue to promote sustainable voluntary return and reintegration of Kosovars community members, including ethnic minorities returning from Switzerland by taking appropriate measures to improve socio-economic prospects for both the returnees and members of their receiving communities. The programme will also enhance the capacity of receiving communities to continue to attract, absorb, and retain returning migrants and to prevent further out-migration.

Kosovo, as well as other region of The Western Balkans, continues to face major challenges as significant proportions of young people in Kosovo are disenfranchised and disengaged. The lack of opportunities to participate in community initiatives and enhance the community around them, are singled out by youth in most communities, eager for opportunities to better themselves, psychologically, socially, and economically.

The International Organization's (IOM) Mission in Kosovo has agreed to provide the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and its designated partners with reliable, timely, and objective migration-related information.

This proposed next stage of the Trust Fund would see the introduction of a new core focus of activity concentrated on public health facilities, which are in dire need of improvement at all levels within Kosovo. The proposed new area of focus would enable the TF Programme to continue making a critical contribution to the betterment of the infrastructure and communities throughout Kosovo. Preliminary projects have been selected based on the new core area of focus and their impact on ethnic minority communities. A preliminary list has been compiled and is included in this proposal.

At the request of the Government of Canada, IOM carries out migration health assessment and DNA sample collection services for immigration self-payer applicants referred by the local Canadian High Commissions, in accordance with the Canadian government’s instructions for medical and radiological examination of Canadian visa applicants.

At the request of the Government of Australia, IOM carries out migration health assessment and DNA sample collection services for immigration self-payer applicants referred by local Australian High Commissions, in accordance with the Australian government’s instructions for the medical and radiological examination of Australian visa applicants.