Evaluation of BMZ’s Support to Promote Sustainable Reintegration of Returnees from Germany in their Countries of Origin

In the context of the rising percentage of migrants in the global population since 2005, migration has become one of the most prominently discussed political topics. Continued large-scale migration to Europe and Germany and comparatively high numbers of asylum applications have in recent years contributed to the topic’s ongoing prominence as a major axis of conflict in public discourse. In Germany, the large number of individuals required to leave the country has contributed to ongoing discussions about expanding return programmes as a migration policy tool.

Germany has committed to measures in the areas of migration and sustainable reintegration as part of the 2030 Agenda and the Global Compact for Migration. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10 (Reduce inequality within and among countries) of the 2030 Agenda includes Target 10.7, which aims to “facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies”. As a signatory to the Global Compact for Migration, the German government has also pledged to pursue a dignified return policy.

The objective of this evaluation is to retrospectively assess the measures commissioned by the BMZ to support sustainable reintegration of returnees from Germany, thereby contributing to an evidence-based approach to policymaking in this field. The evaluation examines whether – and to what extent – German development cooperation has contributed to improving the economic and social participation of returnees in their countries of origin, thereby enhancing their prospects for sustainable reintegration. By retrospectively assessing the commissioned measures supporting the reintegration of returnees, the evaluation fulfils an accountability function. At the same time, the insights gained serve a learning function, supporting the management, adaptation, and strategic development of current and future measures in this field.

The evaluation follows a theory-based impact evaluation approach and combines multiple data sources in a mixed methods design. The country case studies in Ghana, Morocco and northern Iraq formed the central element of the evaluation. As part of these case studies, a total of 120 interviews were conducted with returnees, along with 98 expert interviews – including representatives of GIZ, state partners and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The case study results were triangulated with additional cross-case primary data (e.g. from the counselling centre survey and further expert interviews conducted in Germany), as well as secondary data (e.g. monitoring data and internal studies by GIZ) and programme documents. Academic insights relating to the thematic area were systematically incorporated into the evaluation through a rapid evidence review.

To answer the evaluation questions relating to the impact and sustainability of the measures, the evaluation applied the qualitative causal analysis of process tracing. The objective of this approach is to carry out a step-by-step examination of a predefined causal mechanism based on empirical evidence in order to identify the causal link between the measures carried out and the outcomes achieved. This detailed analysis of individual cases allows to determine whether a causal connection exists and what explains that connection or the absence thereof.