Centers for Migration and Development in Third Countries as New Institutions in Migration Policy of Germany

This article analyses Germany’s national practices in externalization of international migration management. The country faces the challenge of finding politically correct ways to manage the ‘migration pressure’ from asylum seekers, while also addressing the acute problem of aging local population and corresponding shortage of skilled workers. With cooperation experience in this area at the European Union level, Germany is developing autonomous instruments to tackle national challenges and problems. The article examines the institutionalisation of Germany’s migration policy and analyses the activities of specialised migration centres established in third countries – in non-EU countries, North and West Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. This flagship initiative is developed as a part of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development’s ‘Perspective Heimat’ program. Its main characteristics, goals and objectives are identified. Created primarily for individual consultations, these centres, as multifunctional platforms, are designed to expand legal and reduce illegal migration routes and support returnees in their reintegration. Special attention is also paid to another type of German platform for migration regulation, namely Centres for International Migration and Development, designed for the emigration of skilled workers from Germany to the countries in the Global South. An important part of this initiative is the ‘integrated’ and ‘returning experts’, the so-called business scouts for development and reintegration scouts. Despite active state support for these migration platforms, they are heavily criticised in public circles for their inefficiency and high maintenance costs. Nevertheless, with the help of these new tools, Germany is increasing its ability to govern and direct international migration flows.