Migrants: precious (human) resources for development

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In addition to the management of migratory flows and the protection of migrants’ rights on European territory, the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty (1999) opened the way for strategic partnerships between the EU and southern countries and regions on joint development. A joint EU-UN initiative financed by the European Commission and implemented by the head office of the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) in Brussels aims to promote the positive impact of migration on the achievement of the Millennium Goals as well as to enhance the position of civil society and the local authorities, which are key players in the development of countries of the South.

2006 was without question a landmark year in the international approach to the phenomenon of migration. In April, the ACP group of countries adopted a common strategy in Brussels on the issues of asylum, migration and mobility, which was subsequently ratified by the ACP heads of state and government to take account of the positive aspects of migration in the development of the ACP countries. In July, the representatives of almost 60 African and European countries and a dozen regional and international organisations met in Rabat (Morocco) for the first African-European ministerial conference on migration and development. Finally in September, high-level representatives from all member states of the United Nations met in New York at the General Assembly to examine one of the most promising aspects of migration, namely its relationship with development.

These three events did not happen by chance. At the dawn of the XXI century, migration represents a major challenge for modern globalisation. In its latest 2008 report, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that there are currently more than 200 million migrants worldwide. That is two and a half times more than in 1965. The World Bank estimates that migration funding reached €317 billion in 2007. €240 billion of this was transferred to developing countries.

During the French presidency of the Council of the European Union (second half of 2008), which was marked by heated debate over the adoption of the “return directive” by the European Parliament, the creation of the “Blue Card” (see the article on page 6) and the opening of the Migration Information and Management Centre (CIGEM) in Bamako, Mali, the European Commission decided to provide funding of €15 million for a EC-UN Joint Migration for Development Initiative (JMDI), implemented by the head office of the UNDP in Brussels in partnership with the IOM, UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and ILO (International Labour Organization). Antonio Vigilante, head of the UN Office in Brussels*, said: “This joint initiative underlines the confidence of both the European Commission and the United Nations in the potential of migrants as contributors to the achievement of the Millennium Goals.” As Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, recently pointed out, the stakes have become even higher as the economic crisis exposes the world’s 200 million migrants to greater risk of poverty, discrimination and abuse.

The Joint initiative programme is based on three main axes – the setting-up of networks (mobilisation of the Diaspora, civil society, local authorities etc., establishment of hands-on communities and the organisation of three know-how fairs); a call for proposals for €10 million with grants ranging from €50,000 to €200,000 to fund concrete action in 16 countries** (including 7 in the ACP Group); and finally the development of capacities through the establishment of partnerships, the provision of online tools and an advisory service. The first know-how fair held in Brussels from 1 to 4 December 2008 brought together more than 250 representatives from all over Europe and many southern countries. This provided an opportunity to launch a call for proposals. Cécile Riallant, an IOM expert on migration and advisor to the UNDP within the framework of the Joint Initiative, told the Courier: “This appeal aims to support a range of projects through which we hope to establish good practices allowing us to define global strategies capable of enhancing the role of migrants, civil society and local authorities in Europe and the southern countries in development policies.”

Of the issues addressed, migrant remittances face a multitude of obstacles which restrict impact on social and economic development. Riallant said: “Besides high transaction costs, many immigrants, in particular women, are faced with a severe lack of information on the means available to them for transferring funds. In developing countries, the lack of a banking transfer network in rural areas restricts access to these funds. Finally, the encouragement of joint transfers, donations, saving, investment by companies and start-up financing are also very important because such financial flows stimulate more sustainable and structural strategies for reducing poverty.” As well as funding payments, the joint initiative focuses on three other areas – the migrant communities, whose transnational networks and know-how are key factors in achieving the Millennium Goals; migrant capacities, including human, social and financial capital, which are vital resources in fostering the development of Third countries. Maximising the potential of migrants depends on respect for and protection of their rights in the countries of origin, transit and destination. Cécile Riallant concluded: “We won’t get anywhere without these rights.”

* Georgia, Moldavia, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, Cape Verde, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Jamaica, Ecuador.

For more information on JMDI: www.migration4development.org

Call for Proposals

This Call for Proposals is targeting civil society groups and local governments. The total amount available for the Joint Initiative is about €10 million and the value of each project proposed be a maximum of 200,000 Euro, and a minimum of 50,000 Euro. Projects should have duration of a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 18 months.

Projects will only be considered from two or more applicant groups working together in a consortium. Grants will be awarded separately to each partner organisation in the consortium, to a maximum of 100,000 Euro per partner organisation. The proposal of the consortium must aim for a developmental impact in one of the following countries:

Georgia, Moldova, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, Cape Verde, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Jamaica, Ecuador

Each consortium can include any number of applicant organizations, but at least one of the applicant organizations must be based in one of the 16 target countries of the Joint Initiative, and one applicant organization must be based in one of the 27 EU Member States.

Proposals should be completed according to the online formats, templates and guidance available on this website, and submitted before the deadline of 12.00 noon Brussels time/CET, Friday 27th March 2009.

Website: http://www.migration4development.org/call-for-proposals/

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