Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

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DENMARK
• Co-funding in EU projects should be planned well in advance with the Nordic governments,
due to their slow and consensus-based decision making process.
The possibility of low numbers of returns should be considered when counting travel costs as
part of the national co-funding. Nordic governments often over-estimate their return numbers.
Why Programmes Have or Have not Worked
Programmes which include information activities that reach the target group directly and in
their native language, for example through information meetings and the use of multipliers in
information distribution, tend to increase participation in the programme.
The target group often prefer job referral and other reintegration services to “cash-offers”.
Programmes based on cooperation between different organizations in the host country (legal
advice, advice on social benefits) are effective in enabling the target individuals to make an
informed decision about their return.
Cost Effectiveness Analysis
Rough estimates have been made for AVR costs to Iraq and to Afghanistan, according to assistance
components determined by the Danish government, on advice by IOM:
Iraq: US$ 4,200/capita, including reintegration grant and some cargo costs. Cargo costs for
Iraqi returnees will rise as the cargo has not been sent but is stored in Denmark with monthly
additional costs for storage. Costs may vary, depending on the changing prices of flights and
on changes in the amount of reintegration grants.
Afghanistan: US$ 5,000/capita, including reintegration grant and cargo costs (cargo sent
directly to Kabul, no storage in Denmark).
In general, IOM’s voluntary return programme can be more cost-effective when compared to
deportations. In addition, significant cost savings may be realized e.g. in social security payments
and in travel and escorting expenses.