Nuevas Oportunidades: productive reintegration of returned migrants

The project

Migrants who are forced to return to their countries of origin face various difficulties and are often excluded from the social and economic system. And although the vast majority of them do not have a criminal record, the deportees are generally perceived as criminals by their compatriots and have difficulty accessing the labour market. However, these are skilled workers with practical experience and are a great asset to the labour market that also responds to the private sector demands for experienced workers in growing economic sectors such as construction and tourism.

The project focuses on the productive reintegration of returned migrants by certifying their knowledge and skills acquired abroad in the construction and tourism sectors, reinforcing existing services (job placement, development of entrepreneurial skills), and facilitating access to the labour market or the creation of their own businesses. It works through four components, geared to achieve economic and social reintegration: evaluation and certification of skills, coaching and job placement, creation of enterprises, knowledge management, and it also facilitates intersectoral alliances.

Certification of the skills of returnees is an effective way of responding to the demand for skilled workers in the construction and tourism sectors. Not only does it create income opportunities for returnees, but the existing services are also reinforced (job placement, development of entrepreneurial skills).

On the other hand, given that returned migrants do not have access to financial instruments, the project seeks the participation of diaspora organisations to support returned migrants in the creation of their own businesses. 

Project partners

in El Salvador:

• INSAFORP
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador
• Ministry of Labour of El Salvador and Guatemala
• Chambers of tourism, industry and construction
• CONMIGRANTS in El Salvador
• CONAMYPE
• FE Y ALEGRIA
• University of the East (UNIVO)

in Guatemala:

• Guatemalan Chamber of Construction
• Intercap
• Municipality of Coatepeque
• Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare

Financing partners

This project was financed by the Medicor Foundation, Green Leaves Education Foundation, and Däster-Schild Foundation, among other donors. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.