Since the establishment of the TWG, several key lessons were learned. One of the most significant challenges was ensuring effective coordination and communication among multiple stakeholders, including government ministries, international organizations, and civil society groups with differing priorities and needs.
This was addressed by organizing several coordination meetings of the TWG which acted as a platform for discussions, the exchange of good practices and a way to foster national dialogue. Clear roles and responsibilities were defined, and communication channels were streamlined to ensure efficient information flow.
Another challenge encountered was the lack of comprehensive and consistent migration data, definitions and methodologies. Existing data were often fragmented, outdated, or not disaggregated adequately, hindering the formulation of effective policies.
There were also important resource constraints in terms of funding and human capacity at the national level.
To overcome these issues, INSTAD with the support of IOM and other development partners prioritized capacity-building workshops and initiatives for national institutions on data collection and management. Partnerships with international organizations like IOM and the World Bank provided technical expertise and support.
One of our biggest strengths was leveraging international cooperation to supplement local resources. The involvement of multi-stakeholder organizations helped in pooling resources and sharing responsibilities, which mitigated the impact of resource constraints.
We also conducted several assessments of existing data sources and resources for a more targeted approach in addressing these challenges from the start.
Additionally, we established a continuous and regular monitoring and evaluation exercises to assess the progress and effectiveness of the implemented strategies and activities and the recommendations and feedback from these evaluations were used to refine our practices and address any emerging challenges promptly. Lessons learned were also documented and shared with all stakeholders, ensuring that best practices and insights are incorporated into future projects.
Finally, a strong and enduing commitment to ongoing capacity-building and the institutionalization of good data management practices are key to ensuring that the benefits and lessons learned will be sustained and applied to future initiatives.