The closing conference of the project “Reinforcement of the Migration Management System in the Republic of Armenia,” (ReMMAr) funded by the EU through the MPF and implemented by People in Need, was held on 23 April 2025 in Yerevan. The event showcased the project’s key achievements and underscored its impact on supporting both individual migrants and returnees and Armenian state institutions.
The closing event brought together representatives from Armenian government agencies, international partners, diplomatic missions, civil society organisations, and the media. Spurred by the project’s activities, panellists emphasised the importance of needs-based, coordinated approaches and robust partnerships between public institutions and civil society.
All in all, ReMMAr contributed to reinforcing the Migration Management System in Armenia, addressing some of the underlying causes of the migration management challenges identified in the Conceptual Framework for Migration, which is part of a series of key documents for national development that are outlined in the 2020-2050 Armenia Transformation Strategy.
Armenia’s evolving migration dynamics
In recent years, Armenia has faced evolving migration dynamics. While migration to the EU often places Armenian nationals in irregular situations, the country is also receiving growing numbers of displaced persons, asylum seekers, and foreign nationals. Several factors have contributed to making Armenia a destination country for displaced populations from neighbouring countries as well as asylum seekers and foreign nationals from further afield, including conflicts and changing migration dynamics.
For instance, the outbreak of the conflict in Syria brought an estimated 25,000 Syrians of Armenian origin to the country within a few years of the conflict. Since February 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in an influx of Russian citizens escaping sanctions, avoiding conscription or direct persecution, as well as smaller numbers of Ukrainian refugees. Government estimates that in 2023 the war in Nagorno Karabakh led to the forced displacement of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians. Additionally, the EU-Armenia Readmission Agreement that came into force in 2014 increased the return rate of irregular Armenian migrants returning to Armenia from EU member states, going from 21% to 55% between 2014 and 1019.
Updating policies and supporting individuals
Considering all the above, there was an urgent need to adopt migration-related policies that would respond to this new reality as well as ensure other sectoral policies reflect migration concerns. Updated policies and enhanced capacities of authorities will ensure the successful (re-)integration of Armenians and other migrants and reduce incentives for onward migration to the EU. Moreover, in light of the EU-Armenia Visa Liberalisation Agenda, developing a comprehensive and effective migration management and integration system became a national priority.
The project directly addressed several of the priorities outlined in the Joint Declaration on a Mobility Partnership between the EU and Armenia (2011). Between 2023 and spring 2025, and in close collaboration with Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (Migration and Citizenship Service), Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Unified Social Service, local NGOs, and other partner institutions, ReMaRR Strengthened the Migration Management System in Armenia through policy and advocacy, capacity building and collaboration between state authorities, grants for civil society organisations and communication campaigns.
Key figures and results
The preliminary results stemming from the project were shared during the closing event, underscoring the wide reach of the activities:
- Over 40 public officials involved in migration management and over 250 social workers were trained to effectively assist migrants and refugees.
- The project co-funded the establishment of a Call Service Unit within the Migration and Citizenship Service, inspired by a study visit to the Czech Republic and ensuing cooperation.
- 19 local civil society organisations received sub-grants and mentoring for small projects across all 10 regions of Armenia.
An estimated 1,800 individuals across all regions of Armenia received support - including more than 1,400 forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh, over 240 local residents, and more than 160 labour migrants or their family members. Notably, over 500 beneficiaries were children.
Access the Project InfoNote for more details about the activities and goals behind the project.
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