The Migration Podcast

For a decade now, ICMPD's Migrant Resource Centres have continuously grown in both reach and impact. From being consultation and information centres for potential migrants and raising awareness on safe and legal pathways, and providing decisive guidance in people's full migration journeys including on protection against cross-border crimes, to supporting the reintegration of returnees – the MRCs have indeed cemented its 360o, whole-of-route approach in placing the migrant at the core of their work.

In this 10th anniversary episode of the MRCs, ICMPD Project Managers Hina Maqsood and Xenia Pilipenko discuss their work in their respective regions: from the daily operations of the Centres and the unmatched dedication of the Counsellors, to the engagement with governments and contributing to national policies. They share not only their personal journeys, and the pride in what they and their MRC teams do; but also the human stories, the triumphs, and real-world impact of the MRCs not only in their respective regions, even transcending across continents.

Read more stories from ICMPD's Migrant Resource Centres here.

With almost a hundred projects across over 50 countries, the Migration Partnerships Facility (MPF) has marked a meaningful first decade. The wide range of MPF's work continues to nurture partners with the tools they need, the resources to succeed, and the chain of positive change they bring to their communities.

From labour mobility and skills development to legal pathways and addressing irregular migration, from integrated border management to addressing cross-border crimes such as human trafficking and migrant smuggling; from protecting vulnerable people to strengthening capacities in emergencies; and from innovation and technology to addressing harmful misinformation – the MPF continues to grow. In this episode, MPF Senior Programme Coordinator Jennifer Tangney talks about ICMPD's work on the European Union's 'toolbox' for migration partnerships; how the MPF has steered multi-country, multi-sectoral, multi-level initiatives with real-world impact across Europe and beyond.

Read more about the full spectrum of the MPF's work here.

Another year of Russia's full-scale invasion, another year ahead of questions as the extension of the Temporary Protection ends in March 2027.

With a view to that full year ahead, our Project Manager for ICMPD's Eastern Europe and Central Asia Roman Makukha discusses the ongoing complexities of the displaced Ukrainians' situation in the EU; and what the continued attacks mean for those still at home in Ukraine. Our Coordinator for the Ukrainian Consultation and Community Centre (UCCC) in Prague, Anna Kurnytska, also joins us in this episode. She shares the various evolving challenges and growing needs – but also real-life stories of human resilience – of the displaced Ukrainians in the Czech Republic.

Now entering the fifth year since Russia's full-scale invasion, the one common thread that ties everything and everyone together in this conflict is the resolve to continue. For ICMPD and its Ukrainian Consultation Centres across some of the largest-hosting EU Member States, it's the support for the displaced in the EU; helping them navigate life amidst uncertainties. More importantly, for the communities at home in Ukraine, the survival and resilience to continue with life is keeping them warm – even in the winters weaponised by their invaders. 

Learn more about the Ukrainian Consultation Centres here; as well as ICMPD's ongoing response and collaborations for Ukraine here.

From declining irregular migration to Europe’s continued work to strengthen border security efforts, from the growing discourse of return and reintegration to filling the region’s labour demographic gaps more strategically, and to the deepening of relations with migratory route countries. ICMPD presents the 10 key migration issues in the year ahead that can shape not only European, but more broadly international migration.

In this episode of The Migration Podcast, main author of the Migration Outlook 2026 and ICMPD’s Principal Advisor Martin Hofmann provides deeper insights into how the drivers of displacement from conflicts remain volatile everywhere. These include the worsening peace and security situation in more than 87 countries, and major crises that can rapidly shift migration routes; risking to destabilise key regions and increase pressures.

Returning migrants and refugees to their home countries is a highly complex process. As the EU puts the spotlight on return in its agenda, there has been a focus on streamlining the coordination, processes, and cooperation between host, transit, and countries of origin. But equally important, return is a very personal issue for the returnees themselves.

In this episode, ICMPD's Dries Lensen and Peter Neelen explain the complexities and sensitivities of return. They also touch on how ICMPD works with EU Member States and (partner) countries of origin, as well as return counsellors, and digitalisation tools. All of these to ensure the whole process of going back and reintegrating into society is safe, humane, dignified, transparent, effective, and sustainable for the returnees.

More information on the Return and Reintegration Facility (RRF) here.

Since Russia's invasion in 2022, uncertainty continues to loom over several aspects of this conflict on the lives of Ukrainians. Along with lingering displacement of those still in their country, continued destruction of infrastructure, and the temporality of those settled in Europe and elsewhere; the Ukrainian people, moreover, remain resilient and forward-looking.

To mark this sombre moment in Ukraine's modern history, ICMPD Portfolio Manager for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Violeta Wagner, and Project Officer Magda Sabadello discuss the current situation in the country; and how ICMPD continues to engage with both the Ukrainian people and host countries. This includes the displaced and diaspora communities; and the work in labour market integration of Ukrainian women, temporary protection, and support in securing Ukraine's border. They also share personal stories from ICMPD's consultation centres for the displaced in Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic – three of the highest hosting countries for Ukrainians impacted by Russa's aggression.

More information here about ICMPD's ongoing response and collaborations for Ukraine. Read here for more on the Ukrainian Consultation Centres.

There are at least three main drivers for the migration year 2025: the ongoing war in Ukraine, the developments in Syria, and the new government in the United States. ICMPD ́s Migration Outlook report takes a look into the future of migration and describes the most important trends, origins, key events, and priorities for Europe. 

At the heart of the ICMPD Migration Outlook there are "10 migration issues to look out for." In this episode, ICMPD ́s principal advisor and Migration Outlook main author Martin Hofmann explains these 10 migration issues. These include the relationship between global and European migration trends, return issues, and future developments in labour migration.

Human trafficking is a migration issue. While movements across and within borders increase, it has remained largely invisible and complex to address. Children and women are also faced with rising threats of abuse and exploitation, especially those on the move.

In this episode, ICMPD Senior Researcher Madalina Lepsa-Rogoz and Sergio Rivera Reyes of Fundación Renacer (Colombia) discuss the HEROES Project in more depth. The research component of HEROES has led to the development of a Manual of new tools and strategies to detect and protect victims of human trafficking, child sexual abuse, and child online sexual exploitation; and to support them in case management and referral services. They also talk about the nuances and forms of trafficking and abuse across the countries covered; and how the Manual is helping first-line responders such as social workers, health professionals, teachers, and law enforcement officers in their work to detect, protect, and refer victims to support services.

Read more about the HEROES Project here, including access to download a copy of the Manual.

Amidst the worsening conditions in Afghanistan, ICMPD's Migrant Resource Centres (MRC) remain agile and responsive. Through its strong engagement with communities, the MRCs adapt to the unique challenges of Afghans – especially women – since the fall of Kabul in 2021 that pushed over three million people to flee.

Samim Ahmadi, ICMPD's Project Manager for the Silk Routes region, shares his insights on their ongoing response to the new and often confronting realities of Afghans, and how the MRCs are reaching migrants more widely from across different time zones now. He also discusses their support to (potential) migrants on legal and safe pathways for migration, the distress and frustration that can happen during consultations, various forward-looking partnerships in Europe, and recent examples of how, particularly women, access academic and employment opportunities in the EU and beyond.

More information on Afghanistan's MRCs here.

In political discourses, migration is often linked with the legal or political conditions of migrants, and how this benefits them in their host countries. There are also prevailing, simplistic notions of "illegal" or "irregular" migration, with the narrative – including in the media – often focused largely on the status of migrants themselves.

In this episode of the Migration Podcast, ICMPD experts Veronika Bilger and Maegan Hendow discuss the results of a study conducted under the MIrreM project that highlights the many ways, policies, the key events, and the other actors beyond governments that influence how migrants fall out of, or into, an irregular status. The study tackles how governments have responded to the issue of irregular migration in their own unique ways, the policy shifts and their rationale, the barriers for migrants to seek pathways out of irregularity, or even choose to remain in their irregular status.

The full study may be downloaded here.