July 2009: IOM Mission in Skopje started the implementation of a comprehensive Police Training Project aimed at providing technical assistance to improve the institutional response and capacities in the fight against organized crime, with focus on human trafficking and smuggling.
The project aims at further the prevention and protection institutional frameworks in the fight against human trafficking and smuggling. It encompasses an extensive training programme for state actors engaged in the protection of victims and fight against organized crime, and activities to foster the establishment of an integrated approach - enhanced inter-agency and inter-departmental cooperation - and sharing of intelligence among the key institutions.
The project Technical Assistance to Improve the Capacities of the Relevant Parties in the Fight against Organized Crime, with Focus on Human Trafficking is funded by the Country Delegation of the European Commission.

June 2009: IOM Mission in Skopje launched a new action aimed at reducing the incidence of human trafficking and irregular migration among young Roma residing in Skopje and Tetovo through the implementation of activities designed to empower the labor skills and consequently enhance their employment capacity.
The project will provide vocational and on-the-job training courses to approximately 75 young Roma, aged from 18 to 30, selected according to their level of vulnerability. Priority will be given to single parents and low skilled women.
The project foresees a series of workshops for the institutional counterparts, local municipal authorities and NGOs in line with EU accession recommendations and the National Roma Strategy.
The project Institutional Building and Direct Labor Promotion Measures to Prevent Irregular Migration and Human Trafficking among Young Roma in Skopje and Tetovo is funded by the Norwegian Government.

June 2009:IOM Skopje starts the implementation of a regional initiative aimed at strengthening the Integrated Border Management in the Western Balkans and Turkey. This 24-month regional action will further reinforce the country results on issues pertaining to border management and enhance the inter-agency, bilateral and regional cooperation and coordination.
The project Strengthening Integrated Border Management in the Western Balkans and Turkey is funded by the European Commission.

MIGRATION MANAGEMENT - TECHNICAL COOPERATION TO THE GOVERNMENT
Capacity building on Labor Migration policies
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) together with the International Labor Organization (ILO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy organized a one - week training course on labor migration policies for policy makers, social partners and practitioners.
The training course was part of the series of seminars that will be organized in the Western Balkan countries with the aim to assist Governments in their efforts to develop policy solutions for effective management of labor migration flows.

Country Migration Profile and Resolution on Migration Policy
IOM, together with other IOs (UNHCR, ICMPD and MARRI) has actively supported the work of the Inter-ministerial working group established for preparation of the Resolution on Migration Policy and Migration Profile by providing expert consultations and technical assistance throughout the overall process.
As part of the EU Acquis approximation process and achievement of the benchmarks set for the Visa Liberalization, the Government has endorsed the Resolution on Migration Policy and the Parliament has accepted it in January 2009. The Resolution elaborates the position of the country on issues related to migration management for the period from 2009 to 2014 and contains directions as well as specific actions that need to be undertaken related to further alignment of the migration legislation and procedures with the EU Acquis. In addition, the Country 2008 Migration Profile was endorsed by the Government in February 2009. The document addresses the following migration issues: regular migration, emigration, remittances, Diaspora, irregular migration, institutions, competencies and international cooperation in the area of migrations, assessment and analysis of migration related problems.

Preparation of National Strategy and Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration
The process of revision of the National Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration (NAP), which was initiated in 2008, has continued in 2009, including revision and preparation of a new Strategy for the period 2009-2012. The National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Persons and Illegal Migration undertook an intense process of working meetings and consultations with National and International stakeholders and finalized the draft of the NAP for the period 2009-2012 in April 2009.
IOM Skopje took active part in the working group for revision of the NAP, as well as the sub-group for revision of the NAP for combating trafficking in children. In addition, IOM Skopje extended technical assistance and expert's support in the preparation of the National Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration. The new Strategy document will serve the Government to define the priorities and directions in the fight against trafficking in human beings and irregular migration. It is a framework for the activities specified in the National Action Plan where the competencies and responsibilities of actors are defined within a time bound agenda.