Africa-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue (MMD III) support project

Introduction

Migration is a global challenge, which can only be addressed through joint action. Africa and Europe are working together in a spirit of solidarity, partnership, and shared responsibility, striving to create a positive impact on both continents. Recognising the shared responsibility and mutual benefits of migration, the Migration and Mobility Dialogue (MMD) supports policy dialogue, capacity-development, and partnerships that address migration challenges and opportunities. 

In its third phase (MMD III), the project focuses on enhancing migration governance within Africa and between Africa and Europe. It aims to reduce risks faced by migrants while maximising migration's contribution to sustainable development for both continents. Through dialogue platforms and knowledge exchange, MMD III empowers stakeholders to develop effective, rights-based migration policies and practices that reflect shared priorities and realities. By empowering non-governmental stakeholders who are normally less involved in migration dialogues, MMD contirbutes to bridging the gap between policy recommendations proposed by dialogue partners and the implementation of tangible actions at regional and continental levels.

Scope and objectives

The Africa-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue (MMD) support project promotes safe, orderly, and regular migration within Africa and between Africa and Europe. It is part of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy, focusing on:

• Enhanced governance and cooperation on migration and mobility within Africa and between Africa and the EU.
• Increased engagement of civil society organisations (CSOs), diaspora groups, and local authorities (LAs) in migration-related matters.

The project aligns with the five key areas of the Joint Valletta Action Plan (JVAP):

1. Development benefits of migration and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displacement.
2. Legal migration and mobility.
3. Protection and asylum.
4. Prevention of irregular migration, migrant smuggling, and trafficking in human beings.
5. Return, readmission, and reintegration.

Now in its third phase, the project continues to support multilateral migration dialogues such as the Rabat Process, Khartoum Process, and AU-EU Continent-to-Continent Migration and Mobility Dialogue (C2CMMD), following up on the JVAP commitments.

The secretariats of these dialogues, co-chaired by African and European partners, are facilitated by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

Additionally, MMD III supports selected initiatives from local authorities, CSOs, and diaspora organisations through competitive grants. The aim is to strengthen connections to the JVAP framework, boost non-governmental participation in migration and mobility discussions, and promote knowledge-sharing through research and policy recommendations that guide the dialogues and inform priority-setting.

Results

Since its inception, the MMD project has made significant progress in advancing migration governance and cooperation. Key achievements include:

• Developed and operationalised cooperation frameworks on migration.
• Established a network of national focal points and contact points to facilitate dialogues and joint actions.
• Identified and shared best practices at national, regional, and continental levels.
• Facilitated knowledge management and sharing on progress within the Joint Valletta Action Plan framework.
• Provided tailored technical assistance to strengthen the capacities of stakeholders at national, regional, and continental levels.
• Enhanced the involvement of non-governmental actors in migration and mobility initiatives.
• Disbursed eight grants to projects across 25 African countries, supporting 29 African and European CSOs, including NGOs, research institutes, universities, diaspora organisations, and social enterprises. These grants will support migration initiatives in: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, and Uganda.

Implementing partner

International Centre for Migration Policy Development

In addition, the following organisations and entities participate actively and on a regular basis in the various components of MMD III:

• European Commission (EC)
• European External Action Service (EEAS)
• Council of the European Union
• African Union Commission (AUC)
• Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
• Council of the European Union 
• Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• International Labour Organisation (ILO) 
• African Institute for Remittances (AIR)
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
• European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex)
• Civil Society Organisations and Non-State Actors