Sierra Leone has taken another step toward establishing a robust and sustainable system for managing migration, specifically focusing on the crucial phase of reintegration for returning migrants.

Key stakeholders from ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) converged for a validation workshop of the National Reintegration Roadmap (NRR) in Freetown.

The focus of the meeting was the formal assessment and endorsement of the NRR, a comprehensive strategy developed in close collaboration with the IOM Sierra Leone, as part of the Migrant Protection, Return & Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA), designed to offer a clear, actionable framework for collective action to address protection challenges along return and reintegration pathways.

The workshop convened to align on governance, funding, and implementation strategies, creating a coordinated, strategic approach to mobilize additional resources and harness synergies essential for bridging gaps in reintegration support.

Participants underscored the need for a robust mechanism to advocate for sustained funding, technical assistance, and data-driven monitoring to ensure that reintegration outcomes translate into durable, positive economic and social impacts for returning migrants and their communities.

Industry observers note that a successful rollout could help reduce returnees’ vulnerability, improve local labor market reintegration, and bolster consumer and business sentiment by stabilizing communities affected by migration flows.

The process, supported by the European Union (EU) partnership, aims to provide a well-defined and actionable framework for all stakeholders involved. Its ultimate goal is to foster a more coordinated and strategic approach to address the myriad protection challenges faced by returning migrants as they navigate the often-difficult process of re-establishing themselves.

The significance of this workshop lies in its potential to streamline efforts and optimize resources, by providing a clear framework, that encourages collaboration and synergy amongst government agencies, non-profits, and international organizations, ultimately maximizing the impact of reintegration support programs.

Moreover, the roadmap is designed to be a powerful advocacy tool, clearly outlining the solutions to the reintegration reinforcement, as the document will serve as a critical instrument for advocating for additional resources and investment. Therefore, this serves not just as a guide for action, but also as a compelling case for increased investment in this critical area of migration management.