About Sector
EU
Support to Migration Management
The EU is Serbia's largest supporter in managing migration.
Since 2015, it has provided around 240
million euros to help Serbia improve border security, support the reception and asylum system, reduce smuggling of human beings, improve capacities for inclusion od
refugees and fto conduct returns to the countires of origin. This
support is part of the EU's broader Migration Action Plan for the Western
Balkans, which aims to create safe and organized migration processes. The EU's
Action Plan on the Western Balkans outlines 20 key actions across five main
areas to help manage migration. These include strengthening border controls,
speeding up asylum processes, supporting reception facilities, fighting human
smuggling, improving cooperation for returning migrants, and aligning visa
policies. This plan aims to boost cooperation on migration between the EU and
Western Balkan countries, which are preparing for EU membership and working to
follow EU standards. With rising migration due to economic and security issues,
especially along the Western Balkan routes, the EU and its partners are working
closely to address these shared challenges.
Reception
and Asylum:
- EU Support to Migration Management -
Reception and Protection Services III (36.150.000 euros (SCRM)): The project aims to help
Serbia’s Commissariat for Refugees and Migration (SCRM) better support
refugees, migrants, and unaccompanied children. It focuses on improving
the ability to identify vulnerable people and connect them with the right
services. The project also helps cover the costs of running asylum and
reception centers across Serbia.
- EU Support to Migration Management -
Access to Health III (3.600.000 euros (Ministry of Health)): The project ensures
that migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Serbia have access to the
necessary health care. It provides medical services at all levels, from
basic care to specialized treatments. The project includes hiring doctors
and other staff, supplying medicines, and ensuring clean and safe living
conditions in accommodation centers.
- EU Support to Migration Management -
Improving reception capacity, protection services and access to education
III (5.000.000 euros (IOM)): The project aims to improve services and living conditions
in government reception centers for refugees and migrants, as well as help
them integrate into society. This includes upgrading accommodation, making
small improvements to the facilities, and providing translation services.
The project also supports refugees and migrants in accessing education by
covering tuition fees, providing mentors, and offering other educational
support.
- EU Support to Migration Management -
Supporting social cohesion and resilience of host communities (1.200.000
euros (IOM and UNHCR)): The project aims to help asylum seekers and refugees
integrate into society while also strengthening local communities. It will
offer small grants for activities that promote social unity. Additionally,
the project will support discussions on migration policies and work on
improving communication and awareness about migration issues.
Border
management:
- EU Support to Migration Management -
Strengthening Migration Management and Border Control (11.300.000 euros
(IOM): The
project aims to improve how Serbia manages borders and migration,
following EU standards to help people and goods move safely while boosting
security. It includes providing equipment for registering and identifying
people, as well as vehicles and training for staff. The project also
focuses on improving facilities for migrants, such as renovating buildings
and increasing the capacity of closed centers. So far, the project has
provided various equipment, including computers for registration, mobile devices
for checking people’s identities, cars for the police, and vans for
transporting migrants and staff. Additionally, it includes tools to detect
fake travel documents.
- EU Support to efficient border management (Supplies) (4.250.000): The project is focused on boosting border security by equipping teams with advanced surveillance tools for thorough monitoring on both land and in the air. This includes specialized 4x4 and SUV vehicles, mobile video units, and high-tech drones, allowing for real-time aerial and ground surveillance. Additionally, thermal imaging cameras enhance visibility, especially at remote green border areas where traditional methods fall short. With 7 off-road vehicles, 56 SUVs, 6 mobile video systems, 45 thermal cameras, and 5 drones, border teams are now better equipped to detect and respond to unauthorized crossings, enhancing safety and control at Serbia’s borders.
- Technical assistance to implement the
Action plans for Integrated Border management and Schengen
(2.000.000):
The project provides technical support for Serbia's implementation of the
new Action Plan under the Integrated Border Management (IBM) Strategy for
the period after 2025, building on previous assistance from 2022. This
includes aligning border management laws and regulations with EU and
Schengen standards. Key activities involve identifying areas that need
improvement, supporting the creation of updated regulations, enhancing
existing systems, and developing new methods for secure data and
information sharing. This effort is aimed at creating a more efficient and
EU-aligned border management system in Serbia.
- EU Support to migration management and
border control- Supplies of Equipment for border surveillance (2.430.000): The project aims to enhance border
surveillance by providing advanced equipment for both aerial and ground
monitoring. This includes specialized vehicles
with cameras for detecting individuals at green borders. The
project also includes the construction of two
fixed border surveillance pillars equipped with thermal
imaging camera and day/night cameras,
stationary surveillance systems along with regional
and local monitoring centers.
Additionally, it provides 25 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones to
improve border surveillance and increase the detection of unauthorized
border crossings.
Returns:
- EU Support to migration management and
border control- Returns (500.000): The project provides direct financial
support to Serbia's Ministry of Interior to cover the costs associated
with the non-voluntary return of foreigners undergoing the return process.
This assistance ensures that individuals who are required to leave the
country are returned safely and in accordance with legal procedures.
Fight
against smugglers:
- EU support to strengthen the fight against
migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings in the Western Balkans
(30.000.000):
This program focuses on combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking
by enhancing law enforcement and judicial cooperation in the Western
Balkans. It aims to dismantle criminal smuggling networks and improve
border management across the region. Building on current initiatives like
SCOPE, EMPACT, and awareness campaigns, the partnership will strengthen
regional collaboration through joint investigations, improved information
sharing, and coordinated training sessions, creating a unified approach to
tackling these challenges.
- EU regional
support to protection-sensitive migration management systems in the
Western Balkans - PHASE III (EUAA, FRONTEX, IOM, UNHCR 19.200.000): This
programme aims to enhance migration management system in Serbia through
enhanced t support by the EUAA to improve standards I the area of
reception and asylum; cooperation with FRONTEX in the area of border
management, surveillance, and returns; IOM in the area of assisted
voluntary returns, and UNHCR in the area of access to the asylum
procedures and monitoring of human rights.
List of key local partners/organisations
- Ministry of European Integration
- Ministry of finance
- Ministry of Interior
- Commissariat for Refugees and Migration
- Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development
The European Union (EU) is the largest donor in the Republic of Serbia in the area of migration management. Since 2015, with an increased migration influx to Serbia, the EU has put more than EUR130 million at the country’s disposal for the provision of humanitarian aid and protection to migrants, particularly children, and ensuring proper conditions at reception and asylum centers with regard to food, health care, and education. The EU’s assistance was also directed toward local communities/municipalities hosting migrants with a view to strengthening social cohesion, protection of the state border and combating migrant smuggling, and capacity building for institutions dealing with migration management. In addition, the EU has offered Serbia more than EUR28 million for efficient border control, thus contributing to the safety of Serbian citizens by making border crossings safer and preventing criminal activities, while ensuring swift border procedures for people and goods (Integrated Border Management-IBM).