Reframing Return and Reintegration: Origin-Country Priorities and Strategies for Cooperation

In many parts of the world, managing the return and reintegration of a country's nationals has become a prominent policy concern. Driven by growing awareness of the dangers some migrants face, high-profile emergencies, and in some cases pressure from EU and other destination countries, origin-country governments are increasingly developing policies, processes, and institutional structures to support migrants who return home under varied circumstances.

This policy brief examines these policy and institutional developments, highlighting key domestic and international considerations for countries of origin. It identifies opportunities to better align local service delivery, national policies, and donor support—and in doing so, to strengthen international cooperation on return, readmission, and reintegration.

The study draws on examples from countries in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions, leveraging insights shared in interviews with national and local government officials and nongovernmental actors.