The analysis of the labour market and labour force needs in the context of migration governance was conducted with the support of the Global Programmes “Migration for Development” (PME) and “Migration and Diaspora” (PMD) implemented in Serbia by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, National Employment Service and Commissariat for Refugees and Migration. Programs are funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The Global PME Programme aims to improve living conditions and enhance the prospects of people to stay in their countries, both now and in the future. Through qualification and skills development measures, the PME programme supports the economic and social reintegration of returnees in their local communities after their return as well as the economic and social prospects for the local population. The Programme helps individuals find their place in the Serbian labour market and supports those searching for education and training opportunities, same as those wishing to start their own business in Serbia.

At the same time, Global PMD Programme is focused on strengthening key stakeholders to better use the positive effects of regular migration and diaspora engagement in local social and economic development. The project strongly supports migration governance, i.e. political, organisational and strategic development in the area of migration. Supported by PMD, the Serbian Government drafted and adopted the first Economic Migration Strategy for the period 2021-2027, and its implementing Action Plan for the period 2021-2023. Both programmes offer comprehensive counselling at DIMAK Serbia – German Information Center on Migration, Training and Career.

In that context, the labour market analysis was undertaken based on the accurate and latest data and other relevant employment and employability indicators. The factors affecting economic migration were hereby analysed relying on the findings of the labour market analysis. The analysis is geared towards the implementation of Activity 2.2.2 of the Action Plan 2021-2023 implementing the Economic Migration Strategy of the Republic of Serbia (2021-2027) – the analysis of labour force potential in the context of emigration. The purpose of the Strategy implementation is to contribute to slowing down the emigration of the working-age population, establish an economic migration governance system, strengthen capacities for retaining highly skilled workers in the country and attract such profiles from abroad.