The Balkans Migration and Displacement Hub (BMDH), in partnership with the HLA, organised a two-day convening event in Belgrade, Serbia, with knowledge exchange workshops on conducting research and collecting data in displacement settings and using it for advocacy. The event gathered representatives of 15 NGOs and grassroots organisations from Eastern Europe and Balkan countries working with people on the move across Europe. The participants exchanged experiences conducting research and advocacy in these settings, discussed common approaches and good practices on research and data gathering in migration and displacement, shared accomplishments and, more importantly, challenges and lessons learned from successful and less successful initiatives.
This event served as an important confirmation that creating spaces for grassroots organisations to connect and discuss best practices and challenges is crucial. We value their work, as it is essential for gathering data and advocating for the rights of people crossing European borders. I think the main takeaway from this event is that we are stronger when we work together.
During the event, several organisations gave presentations on border violence monitoring, research methods in displacement settings, the rights of people on the move, and advocacy tools and strategies. Elisa Sandri, the HLA’s Research & Evaluation Specialist, and Piotr wrapped up the event with a session summarising the two-day experience. Elisa highlights:
– In the current climate of hostility against people on the move and increasingly shrinking advocacy spaces for organisations supporting them, it is key to gather to share best practices and knowledge of different situations across Europe to ensure human rights are upheld. It is an honour and a privilege to work alongside these organisations, and we hope this event is only the start of future collaborations.
The BMDH is a programme initiative from the Save the Children North West Balkans Country Office that monitors trends in displacement and migration in the Balkans, researches topics of importance for children, documents and promotes good practices in programming. It acts as a knowledge hub both within the Save the Children movement and externally and conducts robust advocacy for children on the move and their families.
