Community Engagement

IOM views community engagement as an essential component of effective and comprehensive migration management. The Organisation seeks to promote social inclusion and good relations across diverse groups following a “whole-of-community” approach, in which community engagement plays an important role.

In Iran, IOM strives to reduce potential tensions between host communities and Afghan migrants by investing in social infrastructures which benefit the most vulnerable groups among beneficiaries and local residents. To achieve this goal, IOM facilitates efforts to improve access to essential services, such as healthcare, for all members of the community.

In this light, IOM has established a partnership with Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), an Indian NGO supporting people with disabilities through the provision of assistive devices, rehabilitation services, and outreach activities. The two organisations plan to conduct a joint activity focused on providing support to both host and displaced communities, fostering inclusion and promoting a sense of shared responsibility in addressing social issues.

Furthermore, IOM is also planning to cooperate with Iranian universities in supporting Afghan women and girls' access to education, in the wake of the ban issued by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities. Education plays a crucial role in community engagement, as well as representing a route towards independence and empowerment. Leveraging its relations with governmental institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector, IOM Iran aims to facilitate the participation of Afghan girls residing in Iran in school, universities, and training opportunities.

Objectives

The unit aims at promoting social inclusion and good relations across diverse groups in Iran, addressing the needs of migrants, refugees, and host societies as well as facilitating communication and exchange.

This “whole of society” approach promotes a sense of shared responsibility and collaboration among different groups in addressing social issues, which can help foster a more cohesive and inclusive society.

Areas of Intervention

1. Provision of essential healthcare services

   IOM has identified an innovative Quick Impact Project (QIP) focusing on providing support to people with disabilities from both host and migrants/refugee communities and help to improve their quality of life. IOM identified a specialized actor, Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), an Indian NGO also known as ‘Jaipur Foot’, to provide beneficiaries with customized prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services.

2. Improved access to educational opportunities

   IOM Iran aims to collaborate with educational institutions in Iran to provide IT skills training to Afghan immigrants living in Iran.