Lena and her husband Aleksi came to Ireland from Russia to seek asylum in 2004. For three years, they lived in a direct provision accommodation centre while their application was considered. Frustrated with the length of time they had been unable to work, they approached IOM in Dublin to ask for assistance in returning to Russia.

Lena and Aleksi were told that they could apply as a family for a reintegration grant, which would help them to start their own business when they returned. Lena had ten years of experience as a designer and Aleksi was a professional photographer. They felt that their skills would enable them both to run a successful business together, and decided to open a photography and design studio. Lena and Aleksi used the grant to install the necessary materials in their home, including a computer and studio equipment for processing the photos.

Vadim came to Ireland in 2007 to find greater economic opportunity than he had in Russia. He worked for several years but became unemployed in 2011. With no way to support himself, Vadim needed to return to Russia but could not afford the cost of travel.
A friend in Ireland recommended that he contact IOM. Vadim visited the Dublin office and applied for assisted voluntary return. He received support with the cost of his travel to Russia, and was also told that he could apply for a reintegration grant to start a small business.

After returning to Russia, Vadim lived with his family until he began working in construction. He applied for the reintegration grant so that he could purchase his own building tools. Vadim also took out a small bank loan to help him start his own freelance construction business. He can now take small building contracts, or assist on larger projects.

When Misha lost his job in Russia in 2007, he moved to Ireland with the hope that his qualification and experience as a civil engineer would allow him to work. He found temporary jobs but by 2009, Misha had exhausted his savings and was unable to find steady housing. Misha’s friends told him that IOM could assist him in returning to Russia.

After he returned, Misha could not find another job in his area. “It was difficult to start everything from the beginning at my age.” Misha decided to apply for the IOM reintegration grant so that he could start his own business. IOM in Russia helped him develop a business plan to begin construction services for building foundations for individual housing projects.