This research report is published in the framework of the project "Return Initiative of Irregular Migrants". The general objective of the project was to contribute to the increase of humane and orderly voluntary return of irregular migrants staying illegally in the EU, in particular Austria, Germany and the Netherlands by strengthening the mechanisms and cooperation within these countries to facilitate their voluntary assistance, in particular those who are difficult to access and are residing in the major cities. A second purpose of the project was to increase the knowledge on the situation of irregularly residing migrants in the selected countries by collection of data and exchange of good practices, in view of exchange of experience, improvement of methodology and (inter)national policy.