The 'Strengthening Management Systems of Irregular Migration and Fight against Organised Crime in North Macedonia' project has been developed to address the pressing needs of North Macedonia in migration management, reflecting the country’s current context and identified priorities. It directly supports the objectives outlined in the Action Document 'Strengthen Management Systems of Irregular Migration and Fight against Organised Crime in the Western Balkans for 2024', aiming to enhance North Macedonia’s border and migration management capacities and strengthen its response to transnational organised crime.

Building on previous EU-funded initiatives in migration management, this project will continue supporting the efforts of the Government to manage migration effectively and protect vulnerable populations. It will further contribute to strengthening the border and migration systems in the country, in support of the 2024 EU Enlargement Communication, the EU Action Plan on the Western Balkans, and in line with the IPA III Programming Framework.

The main government stakeholders involved in the project include the Ministry of Interior and its relevant departments responsible for border management; the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth and its associated units; and the Ministry of Health, along with its affiliated institutions.

• Strengthened capacities in the area of border management, surveillance and combating organised crime in line with fundamental rights
• Improved migrants’ access to safe legal pathways and prospects, as well as sanctioning smugglers
• Facilitated migrants' access to protection and assistance services.

• Border and migration management institutions have enhanced capacity for border control for countering migrant smuggling, human trafficking and other types of transnational organised crime, in full respect of the rule of law and fundamental rights.
• Strengthened protection and referral systems for people on the move, as well as sanctioning of smugglers, in line with the EU and other international standards.
• Migrants in need, including vulnerable groups and unaccompanied children, to receive adequate protection and assistance.