DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL 1 April 2021 – 30 June 2021

YEAR 2 – Q4 PROGRESS REPORT AFGHAN DIASPORA INFORMATION PROJECT - ADIP DRC – MMC ASIA & DIASPORA PROGRAMME

Third QUARTERLY REPORT YEAR 2 DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL 1 April 2021 – 30 June 2021

PROJECT TITLE: Enhancing protection information for displaced people from Afghanistan through collaborative engagement with diaspora communities in Europe DURATION: June 2019 – June 2022 TARGET COUNTRIES: Afghanistan, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands DONOR: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Migration Management Grant) DRC TEAM: Diaspora Programme in Denmark, Mixed Migration Centre/Regional Office Asia OBJECTIVE: Afghans on the move and Afghans considering migrating through irregular means have a realistic and credible picture of the journey, understand the protection risks and their rights

YEAR 2 – Q4 PROGRESS REPORT AFGHAN DIASPORA INFORMATION PROJECT - ADIP DRC – MMC ASIA & DIASPORA PROGRAMME

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The project “Enhancing protection information for displaced people from Afghanistan through collaborative engagement with diaspora communities in Europe” named in the report the Afghan Diaspora Information Project (ADIP) focuses on enhancing protection information for displaced people from Afghanistan through collaborative engagement with diaspora communities in Europe. The 36-months project aims to support members of the Afghan diaspora in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands to engage with migrants and refugees in a way that reduces protection risks.

During the reporting period the six diaspora partners received the pre-testing recommendations on their campaign materials and revised their materials for the second round of message testing in Afghanistan. All the organisations received additional mentoring sessions to discuss the feedbacks and the necessary adjustments. An online training on Protection Information was conducted for Afghan diaspora without prior knowledge on protection on 27 May 2021. The mapping and the research on services for migrants and refugees on the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans Routes has been finalized.

In addition this quarter snapshot on the economic reintegration challenges facing returnees has been finalized and published online: https://mixedmigration.org/resource/4mi-snaphot-a-spotlight-on- economic-reintegration-for-afghan-returnees/ Another relevant snapshot produced by MMC Europe “Smuggling dynamics for Afghans on the move toward Europe” was also published and shared: https://mixedmigration.org/resource/4mi-snapshot- smuggling-dynamics-for-afghans-on-the-move-toward-europe/ An interactive dashboard of the return survey in Afghanistan is underway.

2. ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENT OUTCOME 1: Increased availability of information about the behaviours of Afghan irregular migrants that expose them to protection violations, and which of these behaviours are open to influence Output 1.1: Information from returnee migrants about the protection incidences that they experienced or witnessed is available Activity 1.1.1. Development of a unique 4Mi survey to focus on Afghan returnees from neighboring countries, Europe and South East Asia to ensure adequate information about migration routes and protection violations, experiences at destination countries and upon return MMC Asia’s 4Mi “Returnee Survey” continues to be implemented in 7 provinces and 3 border locations across Afghanistan. The survey covers different themes regarding returnees’ outward migration journeys, including the profile of migrants, the factors influencing their decision to migrate, the routes taken, and protection issues faced, as well as the services and supports received en route. The survey also covers themes regarding return, including, reasons for and method of return, the level of preparedness for return, the location and nature of protection violations during and after return, their current and projected needs, the issue of access to information about the return and upon arrival, the level of integration achieved, and their future aspirations.

Q4 Project Year 2 Update: The survey was revised last quarter in February 2021 to resume focus on the experience of migration, return and reintegration, as opposed to the impacts of COVID-19. Implementation continued throughout Q4 of Project Year 2.

Next steps for upcoming reporting period: Continue implementation of 4Mi Returnee Survey.

YEAR 2 – Q4 PROGRESS REPORT AFGHAN DIASPORA INFORMATION PROJECT - ADIP DRC – MMC ASIA & DIASPORA PROGRAMME

Activity 1.1.2 Training of 4Mi monitors in Afghanistan to collect data with Afghan returnees. Q4 Project Year 2 Update: From April to June 2021 MMC Asia collected 1207 surveys with returned refugees and migrants in Afghanistan.

One remote training was conducted with all monitors on the survey implementation. A follow up training was held on the safety and security update in data collection locations, COVID-19 situation and recruitment strategies.

Training conducted this quarter built on previous trainings, focusing on remote data collection techniques and survey implementation as well as sharing some findings with the monitors. Trainings are an important component of MMC Asia’s quality control, as well as provide a regular forum through which to assess and mitigate the safety situations of different data collection locations.

In addition to training, regular support was given to monitors in the form of weekly calls throughout the quarter. These calls provide opportunity to address the potential technical and field challenges as they arise, thereby helping to assure the quality of data collected.

In total 20 monitors in 7 provinces and 3 border locations were trained.

Province Number of monitors Kabul 4 Kandahar 2 Nangarhar 2 Nimruz 2 Kunduz 2 Herat 2 Balkh 2 Border Locations Number of monitors Zaranj 1 Torkham 1 Islam Qala 2

Next steps for upcoming reporting period: While the monitors used both in-person and remote data collection techniques, due to the new wave of COVID-19 throughout the country, all interviews for next quarter will be remote and over phone. Once assessed as safe by the DRC Safety Team, 4Mi monitors will return to face-to-face data collection. When this occurs, 4Mi monitors will be provided with Personal Protective Equipment kit and also provided with further safety training that focuses on the following: • Overview of COVID-19 and how it spreads • Overview of the security situation in data collection provinces Activity 1.1.3 4Mi data management, analysis and report writing

YEAR 2 – Q4 PROGRESS REPORT AFGHAN DIASPORA INFORMATION PROJECT - ADIP DRC – MMC ASIA & DIASPORA PROGRAMME

Q4 Project Year 2 Update:

Since implementation of the 4Mi Returnee Survey began 4148 surveys have been collected. This includes 925 from the pilot phase, pre-COVID (1st January – 18th March 2020), 1842 collected since the COVID-19 adapted Returnee Survey has been implemented (18th April – 15th December 2020), and 1381 surveys since the return to the core returnee survey (16th February - 25th June 2021).

One 4Mi snapshots was published during this reporting period exploring the economic reintegration challenges facing returning migrants and refugees.

Data was also shared via an internal dashboard to DRC Afghanistan and Asia Displacement Solutions Platform staff for use in programme implementation and advocacy.

Next steps for upcoming reporting period:

• Ongoing 4Mi data collection and analysis

Activity 1.1.4 Visualization of the 4Mi data on MMC’s homepage

Data has been visualized on MMC’s homepage via the publication of snapshots as highlighted in previous reports.

Q4 Project Year 2 Update:

Utilising programme underspends resulting from the inability to travel due to COVID-19, MMC Asia are currently working with a consultant to design a public interactive dashboard of 4Mi Returnee data. This dashboard will be available on MMC’s website, updated monthly and publicly available. An example of the dashboard is available here.

Next steps for upcoming reporting period:

The 4Mi Returns dashboard will be finalized and launched.

Output 1.2: Based on information from returnees, factors influencing migration behaviours are understood and disaggregated, including peer/community influencers

Activity 1.2.1 Conducting interviews with Afghan returnees in Afghanistan on information sources and channels used during their decision-making process Completed in Q1 Project Year 2 Activity 1.2.3 Publishing the survey report including recommendations to inform the SBCC campaign Completed in Q1 Project Year 2 Output 1.3 Primary audience is responsive to specific messages and information developed to influence them

SP Knowledge Consultants was selected to conduct Social Behavioural Change Campaign Message Pretesting in Europe and Field Testing in Afghanistan between April and July 2021. The consultants conducted a desk review before the pre-testing phase to identify the relevant languages and most relevant communication materials and communication channels for each of the target audiences of the seven diaspora organisations.

Due to the development of the Covid-19 and the security situation in Afghanistan it was decided to start the field-testing in Afghanistan earlier than initially planned by modifying and shortening phase 1 of pre-testing. Instead of pre-testing with Afghans in Europe, the consultants conducted an expert review of existing materials with ResultsinHealth SBCC specialist, SP Knowledge consultant and a hired Afghan SBCC specialist

YEAR 2 – Q4 PROGRESS REPORT AFGHAN DIASPORA INFORMATION PROJECT - ADIP DRC – MMC ASIA & DIASPORA PROGRAMME

to help the diaspora partners define their target audiences, desired behaviour changes and messages more clearly.

A set of recommendations was provided to the diaspora partner organisations End of May 2021 and help inform message revision and refinement for the second round of message testing in Afghanistan.

The adjusted materials of the diaspora organisations are being tested in Afghanistan in June 2021.

The consultants are also conducting a social media analysis to better understand: ● The likely effectiveness of proposed social media channels in reaching specific target audiences ● How target audiences (are likely to) react to certain media (videos, images, text) and certain content (positive stories, negative stories, etc.)

Based on the feedbacks and recommendations the diaspora partners will refine their materials before dissemination.

Activity 1.3.1 Conducting focus group discussions with returnees and primary audience in Afghanistan

FGDs begun in June 2021 in Afghanistan with aspiring migrants, key informants in Afghanistan and transit migrants. The FGDs participants were selected after having been screened for different factors such as demographic characteristics and irregular migration plans. The discussion guide was designed by a Research Analyst and the focus groups are being led by experienced national researchers.

Activity 1.3.2 Testing messages and information on returnees and potential irregular migrants and refine content

FGDs and message testing begun this quarter in Afghanistan and is expected to be completed next quarter.

Key findings from this testing will be shared with Diaspora organisations and help inform message revision and refinement.

Activity 1.3.3 Sharing FGDs reports with feedback and recommendations to improve the SBCC campaign This will occur in Q1 Project Year 3 OUTCOME 2: Increased ability of the Afghan Diaspora to influence and support potential migrants and migrants en route to adopt safe migration behaviours Output 2.1: Diaspora groups who are motivated to give accurate information to the wider Afghan diaspora and irregular migrants are identified All activities under output 2.1 (2.11, 2.1.2 and 2.1.3) were conducted and completed between June - December 2019 in line with the proposed timeframe. Please find a detailed overview in the 1 (June- September) and 2(October-December) quarterly progress reports submitted via the IATI reporting platform. Activity 2.1.1 Conducting a Research to better understand the Afghan diaspora connections with primary audience – COMPLETED, December 2019 Activity 2.1.2 Conducting 15 Focus Group Discussions with diaspora groups in 3 EU countries – COMPLETED, December 2019 Activity 2.1.3 Mapping the Afghan diaspora in the Netherlands – COMPLETED, December 2019 Output 2.2 Diaspora groups members understand behaviour change communications theory and have accurate information on protection risks en route, as well as rights and access to services, and are able to develop and convey key messages for priority groups

YEAR 2 – Q4 PROGRESS REPORT AFGHAN DIASPORA INFORMATION PROJECT - ADIP DRC – MMC ASIA & DIASPORA PROGRAMME

Q3 Project Year 2 Update: DRC organized during this quarter: • The diaspora partners received individual recommendations from the first round of pre-testing and participated in mentoring sessions with the SBCC specialist to adjust their materials accordingly. • The second round of message testing is being conducted in Afghanistan in June 2021 and the report is expected to finalise in July. • An online Protection Information session conducted in Dari with 8 participants on 27/05/21. • Finalization of the research and mapping of services available for migrants on route to improve knowledge and information among Afghan diaspora and humanitarian community. Activity 2.2.1 Trainings of Afghan diaspora group on SBCC theory and methodology All the organisations attended the SBCC training sessions conducted in 2020 and are now receiving regular individual mentoring sessions with the SBCC specialist from ResulstinHealth.

Three diaspora partner organisations need special attention and additional support to implement their campaigns in line with the SBCC approach, the message testing recommendations and the project objectives. They will receive individual support to adjust their activities based on their capacity, their strengths, and their target audience.

Activity 2.2.2 Supporting the diaspora groups to develop behavior change campaign with potential to disseminate the information and messages to diaspora primary audience Mentoring sessions and support during the reporting period Six partners participated in the first round of message testing and received individual mentoring sessions to discuss the recommendations. The seventh organisation needs additional support to finalize its proposal.

The partners have adjusted their materials based on the first round of feedbacks. Their adjusted materials are being tested in Afghanistan in June 2021 with representatives of their targeted audience.

Furthermore, two partner organisations received additional individual support from the DRC Global Protection Specialist, DRC Asylum Specialist and on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in order to adjust their materials.

Activity 2.2.3 Supporting the Afghan diaspora to create and design relevant communication tools (videos, infographics,…) The individual mentoring sessions are enabling the seven diaspora partners to create and design relevant SBCC campaign materials for their target audience. Their messages and materials are being tested in Afghanistan in June 2021 (see details in the section Activity 2.4.3).

Individual training sessions on Monitoring & Evaluation and Campaign/Communication Strategy will be organized in September 2021 with the partner organisations.

A stock-taking evaluation will be conducted in July 2021 with the partner organisations to assess their needs in terms of technical assistance, what has changed, what is needed for adjustments after the message testing. Based on the results and recommendations the technical support will be fine-tuned.

Output 2.3 Diaspora group members disseminate information and messages to the wider Afghan diaspora in three countries reflecting an understanding of which priority groups to target with particular messages After the message testing the partner organisations will adapt their messages and materials before planning the dissemination. All the materials will be available in English, Farsi and some in Pashtu as well.

YEAR 2 – Q4 PROGRESS REPORT AFGHAN DIASPORA INFORMATION PROJECT - ADIP DRC – MMC ASIA & DIASPORA PROGRAMME

Activity 2.3.1 Conducting a total of 8 trainings of Afghan diaspora groups on safe migration and risks associated with irregular migration in Netherlands, Germany and Denmark Based on lessons learned from previous trainings and in consultation with the DRC Protection specialists the online Protection training has been shorten from three hours to one hour with focus on key information for a broad diaspora audience without prior knowledge of protection in order to make the training more accessible and easier to attend. The Protection Information training was originally designed for ADIP partner organizations and not adapted for broader Afghan audience who might not have the same level of interest and knowledge of the topic. This led to revision of the curriculum and the presentations in English and Dari.

Two online sessions were planned on 27 and 30 May 2021. The session on 27 May was successfully conducted with 8 participants of which 3 were women participants. 13 people had registered for the training; however, 4 persons did not show up. The training was planned for one hour but went 45 minutes overtime as the training was highly interactive with active participants who shared their views. The facilitator ensured several times that participants were fine with overtime. The training was conducted in Dari which suited well the participants preference of language.

The training planned on Saturday 30 May was cancelled as only one participant registered for this session. Interest for training sessions during the week is higher than during the weekend. It has been decided with the trainers that the future training sessions will be conducted during the week. Two online sessions are planned in June-July 2021.

A video was produced to announce the training online. Diaspora influencers, blogs and social media are used to disseminate information about this training among the Afghan diaspora in the three European countries.

Activity 2.3.2 Follow-up workshop to disseminate protection information messages

YEAR 2 – Q4 PROGRESS REPORT AFGHAN DIASPORA INFORMATION PROJECT - ADIP DRC – MMC ASIA & DIASPORA PROGRAMME

The follow-up workshops are part of the individual mentoring sessions that are organised for the diaspora partner organisations since November 2020.

Activity 2.3.3 Supporting mobilizing community events in the target countries to disseminate the SBCC campaign messages The seven partner organisations will be conducting more events than originally planned (50 instead of 30 indicated for the activity 2.3.2). The partners already have existing Afghan diaspora network which will allow them to reach even more diaspora members by using, among others, social media such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Radio, TV shows and programmes. This will hopefully contribute to reach the planned 1500 Afghan diaspora members.

The partner organisations are receiving tailored-made SBCC mentoring sessions with a SBCC specialist and a communication specialist since November 2020. Output 2.4 Afghan diaspora partners have developed and disseminated accurate and useful protection information through existing diaspora and migrant owned social media platforms The activities for this output will be implemented during 4th quarter of 2021 and first quarter of 2022 in partnership with the seven Afghan diaspora organisations in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands. Activity 2.4.1 Conducting a technical training with a group of selected diaspora on website/blogging and access to the most accurate information available on protection, rights and access to services in their country of residence This technical training was part of the SBCC training sessions organized in September 2020 with 19 participants instead of 40 originally planned. In addition, this technical support is part of the mentoring sessions tailored for each diaspora organisation based on their planned activities and communication strategy. Additional tailored training sessions are being conducted than originally planned, but for a fewer number of participants. Activity 2.4.2 Enhancing community information platforms In order to enhance community information platforms DRC contracted Seefar for undertaking a research aiming to map protection, humanitarian and information provision services for refugees and migrants moving along the eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans routes from Afghanistan toward Europe. The findings are based on the results of a literature review and primary data collection: 46 semi-structured interviews were conducted with migrants and service providers across Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria and Serbia.

It was found that access to services varies widely according to country, so no generalisations can be made about the route as a whole. At an overall level, this study finds that there is a critical mismatch between the services requested by migrants and those that civil society is able to provide. There is no single factor that prevents Afghan migrants and refugees from accessing their right to services. Instead, there is a complex mix of global and regional trends, intersecting with local and personal circumstances. In general, factors affecting access to services can be influenced by three types of actors: governments; NGOs and civil society; and the migrants themselves. The question of who is able to influence migrants and refugees to change their behaviour, and how they do so, is a complex one. It is not simply a matter of making accurate information available. It is rather a question of whether the information arrives through a trusted source, and whether the migrant has the agency or resources to act on it. For both Afghan men and women, the most trusted sources of information about migration are friends and family in other countries and Afghanistan, as well as returned migrants in Afghanistan. Family and peers are influential to the extent that they are the main information source, but migrants and refugees realise that the information is often not correct.

YEAR 2 – Q4 PROGRESS REPORT AFGHAN DIASPORA INFORMATION PROJECT - ADIP DRC – MMC ASIA & DIASPORA PROGRAMME

Recommendations related to communicating available information and services to migrants, as well as addressing gaps in service provision. They are primarily recommending actions that could be taken by DRC, either directly or through its influence on other humanitarian actors.

Increasing awareness of services Develop simple messaging about service entry points: Migrants and refugees need to know how to get in contact with ‘entry point’ service providers. This information should also be given to frontline staff, including translators, in neighbouring countries. Consolidate hotlines as much as possible: Given the preference for verbal communication, hotlines could be a good, cost-effective entry point, especially if they were consolidated. DRC could begin by organising an information exchange with the operators of Awaaz in Afghanistan. Standardise and simplify information: Use working groups and clusters to standardise information for pamphlets and posters. Simple, consistent information, in appropriate languages. Improve access to online information: DRC could use its relationship with UNHCR and the global protection cluster to lobby UNHCR to have a standard package of information on transit countries websites. Don’t give up on social media: Many men and women use social media extensively for…being social! Young men are sharing music together with travelling tips on WhatsApp, so there’s no reason to think they wouldn’t share attractively packaged information about free services, locations of centres etc. Improve referral system: Migrants and refugees need support to understand their entitlements and practical assistance to access them. One central referral system is the most effective system. DRC could advocate with governments or UN agencies to set up such a system.

Increasing access to services Encourage registration: In addition to ensuring first point of contacts can give advice about registration, barriers need to be removed through advocacy towards states. Prioritise activities that deal with trauma: Take advantage of the environment in centres to increase access to PSS and mental health services. Concentrate on teaching skills that migrants can take with them. Train service providers such as teachers and community health workers how to recognise and deal with trauma. Play a role in preventing trauma: Brutalisation of migrants and refugees is taking place at border points throughout southeast Europe. While NGOs are unlikely to be able to influence the government of Iran (GOI), civil society is influential in Europe and DRC should advocate with European governments. Incentivise translators to increase the quality of their service: Design vocation training programmes for translators. Support translators to become accredited through internationally recognised programmes. Support cash programming: Cash programming enables migrants and refugees to pay for services. It also incentivises service to remove barriers that are currently preventing access. Counter misinformation about entitlements: Migrants, refugees and host communities need to understand how the allocation of aid works, not only by one-on-one information provision, but also by leveraging communication and networks. Fill known geographic service gaps: Where feasible, establish service provision in Van and other underserved locations.

YEAR 2 – Q4 PROGRESS REPORT AFGHAN DIASPORA INFORMATION PROJECT - ADIP DRC – MMC ASIA & DIASPORA PROGRAMME

DRC will organize in the next quarter a Webinar to present the Seefar’s findings and recommendations in collaboration with a diaspora partner organisation based in Germany to validate and enable Afghan’s migrants to share some insights, concrete testimony, and real experience. The Webinar will be targeting INGOs community, service providers and policymakers that can take actions based on the recommendations.

Activity 2.4.3 Testing, evaluating and workshop for adjusting the information with the target audience As part of activity 1.3 a team of consultants was recruited and contracted this quarter to conduct testing of the messages developed by Diaspora organisations in Europe and Afghanistan with the target audience.

During this quarter the consultant worked with Diaspora organisations and Social Behavioural Change experts to refine the messages and target audiences. Feedback was integrated and field testing began in Afghanistan in June 2021.

Activity 2.4.4 Conducting a survey to assess the number of potential irregular migrants accessing information Planned to be conducted in 2022 Coordination & synergies with other actors and initiatives During this reporting period DRC team’s coordinated with the seven diaspora partner organizations, Seefar and SP Knowledge Consultants.

DRC has been in contact with AmplifyingChange to connect them with one of the project partners developing information material for Afghan female migrants on the move. It has been a fruitful and useful collaboration.

After the Protection training the Association of Afghan Healthcare Professionals-UK contacted DRC to discuss potential collaboration and synergies. The association has a formal collaboration with the King's College London on Afghan asylum seekers mental health issues and are in the process of developing a guide to help immigrants. Potential collaboration will be further discussed with them during the next quarter.

The team is sharing information, contacts and findings with the other DRC project “Afghan diaspora Engagement in Europe”, which aims at supporting increased dialogue and agency within the Afghan diaspora in Europe as well as between the Afghan diaspora and the Afghan Government. The project is also in close contact with ECRE and the Asia Displacement Solution Platform in Afghanistan.

Lessons Learned

Based on the experiences gained from the conducted online trainings, the ongoing and changing nature of COVID-19 pandemic, we expect continued impact on the upcoming project activities and the project targets mentioned in the Results Framework document, as the number of trained participants is lower than initially planned, which will impact the dissemination of knowledge from trained participants. It has been challenging in 2021 to mobilize the target audience to participate in online trainings due to digital event fatigue and limited amount of time to spend at virtual events.