Costa Rica - A cross border project that began this week in the Canton of Upala in northern Costa Rica will concentrate on harnessing the development potential of migration by encouraging community participation to develop the local economy, while providing protection and assistance to vulnerable migrant women.

The 22-month project funded by the European Union and the Swiss Agency for International Development will provide advice and support to cross-border migrant women victims of violence; design a consolidated system that will allow cross border migrant workers to obtain the necessary status and documents to carry out their daily activities; increase migrant participation in local government; and design a plan to encourage greater economic development in the cross border areas.

Migrant women and children who cross the border on a daily basis for work face increased risks including sexual abuse, labor exploitation, risk of human trafficking, stigma associated with irregular migration, and have little or no access to health care.

As part of the assistance for vulnerable women, the Project will refurbish and equip La Casa de Derechos de la Mujer (Women’s Rights House), a shelter which provides a safe haven for women who cross the border from Nicaragua fleeing domestic abuse and violence.  IOM and its partners will also provide training for NGO staff and others working with migrant women, as well as financial support for vulnerable migrants to obtain the necessary cross-border identity documents.

To support the local economy, the Project will carry out a mapping exercise to identify migrant-owned businesses and compile ideas for new business opportunities.  Training, technical and financial support will be provided to participants to set up micro enterprises.

So far IOM’s work has focused on identification and selection of projects around the country; providing support to civil society organizations and municipalities selected in the design of the project proposal; evaluating the existing technical, administrative and financial capacities of the participating organizations and municipalities to ensure the success of the projects; and drafting cooperation agreements to be signed once projects are awarded.

The agreement signed this week by the United Nations Development Programme, IOM, the Municipality of Upala and the Cenderos Foundation, will benefit the towns of San José (San Ramón, El Delirio, Jomuza), Yolillal (San Antonio y Nazaret) y Delicias (La Cruz, México, Delicias).

For more information please contact

Miguel Angel Urbano
IOM Costa Rica
Tel: +506 2212-5300 ext. 321
Email: murbano@iom.int