In this first scientific accompanying research to the StarthilfePlus return assistance programme, IOM and BAMF assessed return motives and reintegration. More than 80 percent of the returnees from Germany surveyed said they were satisfied with the assistance they had received.

In 2017 and 2018, over 15,000 people received assistance through the StarthilfePlus reintegration programme, which was introduced in 2017. The program is implemented by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) in coordination with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, for Construction and Home Affairs (BMI) . The aim is to provide flexible assistance to migrants from more than 40 countries of origin that lack the financial means necessary for return, including those who are obliged to leave the country and those with little prospect of obtaining protection under asylum law, to help them with voluntary return in addition to the REAG/GARP support program. IOM and the BAMF Research Centre are accompanying StarthilfePlus as part of a multi-year scientific research project. The first study presented examines how returnees who left between the program start on February 1, 2017, and April 19, 2018, perceive the program and what significance the support services have for return decisions and reintegration. For this purpose, 1,339 returnees who received StarthilfePlus assistance were interviewed on their experiences in eleven countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Returnees are satisfied or very satisfied with the received information, counselling, and organization

Almost all respondents arrived in Germany during the increased influx of refugees between 2014 and 2017. At the time of the return decision, the asylum application of 70% of the respondents was negative. They rated the received information and counselling, the duration from initial contact with the counselling centre to departure, and support during departure positively. The program participants received financial assistance in two instalments, which were paid out before departure and six to eight months after arrival in the countries of return.

Counselling is as important as financial support

Generally, several motives influence the decision to return. The most important motive for return indicated by respondents was the lack of prospects of remaining in Germany. Moreover, proximity to the family in the country of origin is also important. Program information and counselling also play an important role in the return decisions of the study participants. They are relevant for the majority of study participants and are just as important as financial support. The financial support elements only rarely favour the basic willingness to return. They play a role primarily for persons who are already considering a return for other motives but have not yet decided.

Financial support stabilizes the initial period after return

Financial support is used primarily to cover daily needs in the first few months. It is an important bridging measure, since most returnees do not initially generate sufficient income of their own. The interviewees frequently state that they would like to receive even further reintegration support, especially with regard to finding work and starting their own business.

Overall satisfaction with life at the place of return

70% of the respondents are overall satisfied with their life at the place of return or take a neutral position. Satisfaction with the security situation differs depending on the place of return: satisfaction values of over 60% are found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, but also Iraq. An important factor in satisfaction is labour market integration. On average, eight months after return, respondents achieve moderate employment rates of around 39%.

Online survey in the IOM country offices

The analyses are based on a quantitative standardized and thematically broad survey of individuals who received StarthilfePlus assistance. At the time of the survey, they were located in countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Ukraine, and thus in important return destinations for StarthilfePlus participants. For BMI, BAMF and IOM, the results of the study show how important such accompanying studies are for an evidence-based further development of support programs in the return context. In this way, the programs can be even better adapted to the diverse needs of migrants in the future.

The full report is available here.