Counselling on Assisted Returns
The Counselling of the Information Centre for Voluntary Return (ZIRF) provides Country Fact Sheets and answers to individual enquiries of those interested in returning.
By this the ZIRF offers a targeted and individual counselling on assisted returns. A broad spectrum of questions is covered, such as
- economic infrastructure
- local housing and labour markets,
- reconstruction aid, medical care in situ
- social interests and
- potential for basic and further training.
The ZIRF-Database as an unique source for information
The ZIRF-Database provides comprehensive information in a combined form.The answers to previous enquiries for individual cases are made available anonymously. Thereby the ZIRF can present the necessary knowledge to a large number of users efficiently and quickly.
The database contains
- voluntary return programmes
- promotional measures (national / international / EU-level)
- country of origin information
- contacts / advice agencies and
- other information supporting the goals of the ZIRF
This ambitious tool relies entirely on cooperation with the Federal States and the other institutions (in particular the independent welfare organisations) in collecting the abovementioned information.
The ZIRF: Coordination of return assistance and enhancement of support measures
The Information Centre for Voluntary Return essentially has the following goals:
- to coordinate, design and network assisted returns
- to improve the assistance that is on offer and to promote advice by bundling the information
- to use the available subsidies efficiently
Therefor the ZIRF initiates, examines and promotes project applications in cooperation with other institutions. It coordinates return management by acquiring, collecting, processing and passing on information on assisted returns to
- authorities of the Federal State, of the Federal States, local authorities (especially immigration authorities and social welfare offices)
- international partners or other institutions involved
- independent welfare organisations
- churches and
- prospective returnees
The ZIRF was established at the Federal Office in July 2003 and has been working successfully since that time. The project ZIRF-Counselling was started in January 2006. It was more effective every year and is offered this year too.
