The project seeks to deepen understanding of how access to information about legal migration pathways may shape migration decisions in countries of origin and transit. Iraq is one of the case-study countries included in the project.
Providing information through counselling and outreach
Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) are established and managed jointly by national government authorities and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).
According to the MRC Coordinator interviewed, the MRCs work in close partnership with government institutions and offer consultations to potential migrants, outgoing migrants, returnees, and job seekers. The MRC in Baghdad operates within the Ministry of Migration and Displaced (MoMD). As explained by the coordinator, it “provides counselling to potential migrants, outgoing migrants, returnees, and job seekers regarding information about legal pathways, risks of irregular migration, reintegration support, skills development, and mechanism to access the services in a timely manner.”
In addition to individual consultations, staff organise awareness-raising sessions in settings such as universities, vocational training centres, and youth centres. Clients can visit the centre in person or contact counsellors through a dedicated phone number, social media and other communication channels. The centre also provides referrals to relevant service providers and offers counselling, c.v preparations and interviewing skills sessions and psychosocial support to returnees seeking assistance with reintegration.
Information practices and sources
In their interviews with Delmi, the MRC Coordinator and Counsellor described how counselling sessions focus on providing practical and updated information tailored to individual questions. According to the coordinator, counsellors rely on visa/country profiles and information drawn from embassy websites, authentic websites to ensure accuracy when it comes to counselling cases related to migration. Information is checked regularly before being shared with clients.
“We are building trust between the MRC and our clients through providing trusted information regarding their specific inquiry,” the counsellor explained, describing the importance of reliable information in everyday interactions with clients.
Everyday counselling work
The MRC Counsellor described daily tasks at the centre as including consultations with returnees, potential migrants, and job seekers. Clients contact the centre through MRC phone number, online platforms or by visiting in person, and staff also organise live online sessions to answer questions about services and migration-related topics.
Counselling sessions may include discussions about study opportunities abroad, work-related migration options, or family reunification processes, depending on the needs of individual clients. Visa/ country profiles outlining requirements and procedures are used to explain eligibility criteria and practical steps.
Counsellors describe their role as providing updated information sourced from official channels and supporting clients in understanding the requirements associated with different migration and reintegration pathways.
The Delmi-project is funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).