Policy Briefs   2

Economic Reintegration of Returnees and Border-Province Development Strategies in the Post-Conflict Period

Author(s): CDRI ERIA

Published: 23-Feb-2026
Keyword: Economic reintegration, employment, return migration, social protection, border provinces
English PDF (16)

Abstract/Summary
  • Reintegration must move beyond employment numbers towards productivity and income recovery:
    Large-scale job matching initiatives have absorbed many returnees, but employment alone does not ensure durable reintegration. Income has declined, vulnerability remains high, and skills mismatch persists. Policy must shift toward job quality, productivity upgrading, employment certification, and income stability.

  • Border provinces represent a strategic opportunity for economic diversification:
    Return migration exposes spatial imbalances but creates an opportunity to transform border areas into productive economic corridors. Investment in agro-processing, SME upgrading, SEZ reform, logistics, and regional integration can drive reintegration and long-term diversification.

  • Strengthen governance systems and household resilience to sustain reintegration outcomes:
    High debt, weak social protection coverage, fragmented data, and coordination gaps limit sustainability. Reintegration requires integrated digital systems, stronger institutional coordination, SME support, and expanded financial and social protection frameworks as part of a broader structural reform agenda.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64202/pb.02.2026.02




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