Founded 72 years ago in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration. With 175 member states and presence in over 100 countries, IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.
The Organization works with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration, advance understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration and to uphold the well-being and human rights of all migrants.
IOM in the Netherlands
IOM started its activities in the Netherlands in 1991. Our projects include facilitating voluntary return and reintegration, supporting refugees accepted for resettlement and family reunification, services aimed at integration and labour market participation and temporary return assignments for diaspora experts living in the Netherlands.
Voluntary Return and Reintegration
We assist migrants who wish to return voluntarily to their country of origin and supports their sustainable reintegration. Assistance consists of information and counselling services, procuring travel documents, arranging safe travel, and providing reintegration support. We are in favour of reintegration assistance, based on human dignity and as a major sustainability factor in countries of origin.
Through our network of offices around the world, we can offer individual in-kind reintegration support, such as setting up income-generating activities or financing educational or training programmes. Tailored assistance is provided to specific vulnerable groups, including migrants with health issues, victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors, families or single parents with underage children, and undocumented migrants.
Migration and Development
We aim to strengthen links between migration and development through diaspora engagement in development initiatives and by enhancing cooperation between countries of origin and destination to facilitate labour and skills mobility.
Connecting Diaspora for Development 2 (CD4D2) enables diaspora professionals to use their knowledge and expertise for development in Iraq, Nigeria and Somalia. Through physical and online assignments, diaspora experts residing in the Netherlands, other EU member states and the UK, are linked to institutions in their countries of origin.
Resettlement and Family Reunification
We facilitate the resettlement and relocation of selected refugees to the Netherlands, in close cooperation with our offices in countries of departure and partner organizations. We also provide assistance to family members entitled to reunite with their family in the Netherlands by arranging the travel and serving as a contact point for the relatives or sponsors in the Netherlands.
Migrant Inclusion and Social Cohesion
We assist migrants with their inclusion into new communities. In partnership with Tilburg Municipality we are working to improve the knowledge and capacities of local and regional authorities in the region Hart van Brabant to facilitate the improved integration of third country nationals.
Labour and Skills Mobility
To address European labour market shortages, together with the Netherlands-African Business Council (NABC), we promote existing legal pathways for skilled graduates from Nigeria and Senegal to conduct work placements in Dutch companies. Through the MATCH project we enable them to contribute to sectors with identified labour shortages, primarily in the ICT, technology and digitalization sectors.
