Reintegration is not just about returning home but also about rebuilding lives with dignity and opportunity. Caritas India, in collaboration with Caritas Austria and the IRMA Plus III program, ensures that migrants returning from Austria to Punjab receive the support they need to reintegrate successfully into their communities.

Eleven returnees from different parts of Punjab participated in the fourth Get Together program, hosted by Caritas India at Navjeevan Charitable Society in Jalandhar on March 13, 2025. This initiative, co-financed by the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund of the European Union and the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior, is designed to provide financial assistance, business guidance, and peer support to voluntary returnees.

The primary objective of the Get Together meeting was to offer returnees an opportunity to share their experiences, gain useful insights, and receive financial and business support to enhance their economic stability. The meeting aimed to assess their post-arrival situations, evaluate the effectiveness of the reintegration project, and identify returnees who could benefit from the Business Booster program.

Through the IRMA Plus III program, returnees are not just returning home; they are being equipped with the resources and knowledge to rebuild their livelihoods. The Get Together meeting served as a platform for meaningful discussions, where returnees shared their experiences and concerns regarding income generation and self-sustenance.

Caritas India’s Deepak Minj welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the organization’s commitment to supporting returnees. John Bonion Nayak then presented insights into Punjab’s business landscape, helping returnees effectively optimize their financial resources.

One of the key challenges raised during the discussion was the high cost of dairy farming, including expenses for cattle feed, milk-producing cows, and rising energy costs. The session allowed participants to explore viable solutions, including financial planning and self-investment strategies.

The gathering fostered strong peer engagement and solution-oriented discussions. Returnees shared their experiences and insights, learning from each other about income generation and reintegration strategies. Financial constraints, business sustainability, and dairy farming costs were highlighted as major concerns. Participants committed to monitoring their business progress and regularly updating the support teams for further guidance.

The discussion yielded significant outcomes, reinforcing the importance of continuous engagement and self-reliance. Participants actively contributed their experiences, sharing practical solutions for overcoming financial hurdles and improving business efficiency. Many returnees acknowledged gaining new perspectives on strategically investing their resources to strengthen their businesses. There was also a clear emphasis on fostering accountability, with returnees pledging to track their progress and seek necessary interventions to enhance their economic activities.

The event also provided a sense of community, allowing returnees to reconnect and support each other in their reintegration journeys. Many expressed gratitude for Caritas India and the Austrian government’s guidance and support.

The IRMA Plus III program is a harbinger of hope for voluntary returnees, emphasizing a structured and needs-based approach to reintegration. By organizing such Get Together meetings, Caritas India is strengthening the returnees’ ability to sustain their businesses, become self-reliant, and contribute positively to their communities.

This initiative highlights the effectiveness of well-planned reintegration programs and sets an example for government bodies, corporate entities, and international NGOs to support structured returnee assistance models.

Caritas India’s efforts reaffirm that reintegration is not just about returning home. It is about moving forward with dignity and new opportunities. As returnees embark on this new chapter, their resilience and structured support will be the key to building a sustainable future.