Prague Process

📢 New Practical Guidelines!

We are glad to present the new Prague Process Practical Guidelines "Enhancing anti-trafficking prevention through targeted, participatory, and multilevel actions" authored by Madis Vainomaa and Ivanka Hainzl.

📝This publication draws on evolving trafficking trends across the Prague Process region and highlights evidence-based, victim-centred prevention approaches. It outlines practical measures to prevent exploitation, disrupt trafficking, and reduce risks of re-trafficking through long-term protection and reintegration, while promoting cross-sectoral responses integrated into migration, labour, social, and development policies.

🔍 The publication supports national stakeholders in developing prevention responses. It also provides two practical tools and a list of further readings that entail detailed information on different aspects of prevention of THB.

Discover more in the guidelines:
-> 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 at https://shorturl.at/3HdoZ
-> 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 at https://shorturl.at/FKXxz

International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)

Strengthening border management through global dialogue and regional action

➡️ On 14–16 April 2026, representatives from 13 Prague Process states took part in the 15th World Border Security Congress (WBSC) in Vienna, joining over 500 experts from 80 countries to discuss emerging threats, technological innovation, and the future of border management and migration governance.

🤝 Building on these discussions, the Prague Process convened a dedicated workshop on 17 April, bringing together its non-EU participating states to reflect on lessons learned and translate global insights into regional and national policy perspectives. The exchange reinforced key priorities under the Prague Process Action Plan 2023–2027, including Integrated Border Management, digitalisation, and capacity building.

🔍 Discussions highlighted shared challenges such as irregular migration pressures, resource constraints, and the need for stronger inter-agency and international cooperation. At the same time, countries showcased ongoing reforms, investments in infrastructure and biometrics, and efforts to align with EU standards. While the WBSC showcased cutting-edge technologies such as AI and advanced data systems, the workshop underlined the importance of strengthening foundational capacities - staffing, infrastructure, and interoperability - to ensure their effective implementation.

👏 A sincere thank-you to all participating states and partners for their valuable contributions and continued commitment to enhancing border security while safeguarding fundamental rights.

👉 Read more for further insights and key takeaways from this exchange: https://shorturl.at/7GR2n

International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) Border Management Programme in Central Asia

📢 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 (𝐄𝐄𝐂𝐀) 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 2026 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧!

The Outlook offers a comprehensive overview of migration developments across twelve EECA countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The analysis is based on ICMPD’s regional expertise and desk research drawing on official statistics and publicly available data sources to ensure a grounded understanding of regional dynamics.

𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝑬𝑪𝑨 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 2026?

👉 Read and download the publication in English: https://shorturl.at/iQ37K
and/ or in Russian: https://shorturl.at/8qoaJ

🌍 On 11-12 March 2026, Prague Process organised the workshop on labour migration in Brussels, bringing together migration experts, policymakers and practitioners from across its region.

🤝 Organised under the Thematic Component 3 on labour and legal migration, the workshop allowed for an exchange of experiences on how countries are adapting their systems to attract foreign workers while ensuring fair conditions and effective regulation.

💡Across the region, approaches to labour migration remain diverse. Some countries rely on employer-driven systems, while others apply quotas, labour market tests or shortage occupation lists. Despite these differences, many face similar challenges. Labour shortages persist in sectors such as construction, healthcare, agriculture and IT, while skills mismatches, language barriers and lengthy recognition procedures continue to limit the effective integration of migrant workers.

🔗 Read more about the workshop: https://shorturl.at/lMIDa

International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)

🌍 On 24–26 February 2026, representatives of 15 Prague Process states participated in the study visit on border management in Budapest and Bácsalmás hosted by the Ministry of Interior of Hungary.

🤝 Organised under Thematic Component 1 on preventing and fighting irregular migration and migrant smuggling, the visit offered a comprehensive platform for exchange on integrated border management, combining strategic discussions with hands-on operational insights.

💡Practical aspects of border management were further explored during the field visit to the Bácsalmás Command Centre at the Hungarian-Serbian border. Participants were introduced to surveillance and control practices, including the use of drones, camera systems and remote monitoring technologies, as well as inspection procedures extending beyond the immediate border area.

🔗 Read more about the study visit: https://shorturl.at/FSUS3

International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)

📢 New Analytical Report!

We are glad to present the new Prague Process Analytical Report "Western Balkans 2035: Demographic Resilience and Strategic Migration Planning under EU Integration and Isolation Scenarios" authored by Assoc. Prof. Tado Jurić.

📝This report examines how migration will shape the region’s demographic and socio-economic future by 2035 under two trajectories: EU Integration, marked by institutional strengthening and circular mobility, and Strategic Isolation, characterised by governance stagnation and one-way outflows.

🔍 The analysis shows that governance-driven migration management – not fertility – is the decisive factor. In the EU Integration scenario, improved institutions, return migration and regulated labour inflows slow population loss. In the Isolation scenario, demographic decline accelerates, labour shortages intensify and dependence on poorly integrated foreign workers grows, alongside rising exposure to non-EU geopolitical actors.

Discover this and more in the report:
-> 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 at https://shorturl.at/DzUI1
-> 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 at https://shorturl.at/DbKlE

* International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)

📢 Check out the video recording of the Prague Process Policy Talk ‘Looking into 2026: What migration-related developments to expect’.

🔎 In this webinar, Jean-Louis De Brouwer and Malin Frankenhaeuser discussed the key migration policy developments of 2025 and shared their outlook for 2026. As the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum enters into application in June, Member States face a decisive phase marked by operational, legal and political challenges. Amidst the continued geopolitical instability in the EU’s neighbourhood and displacement from Ukraine, migration remains high on the EU’s agenda. Strategic priorities include strengthened migration management and border control, addressing irregular migration, expanding talent attraction and returns, and reinforcing external partnerships. The panellists assessed progress and remaining gaps in these areas and shared their expectations for 2026. The discussion was moderated by Sarah Schlaeger.

➡ Watch the recording in English: https://www.pragueprocess.eu/en/training-academy/webinars/539-looking-into-2026-what-migration-related-developments-to-expect
➡ Watch the recording in Russian: https://www.pragueprocess.eu/ru/training-academy/webinars/540-prognoz-na-2026-god-kakie-izmenenia-v-migracionnoj-sfere-sleduet-ozidat

International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)