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 contributes 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 of its third phase include:

• Development and operationalisation of regional cooperation frameworks on migration:
  • Between Europe and West, Central, and North Africa through the Rabat Process;
  • Between Europe and East Africa/Horn of Africa via the Khartoum Process;
  • Between the EU and AU under the Continental Dialogue on Migration and Mobility (C2CMMD).
• Establishment of a robust network of national focal points and contact persons to support dialogue, information-sharing, and coordinated actions.
• Promotion of knowledge exchange, identifying and disseminating good practices at national, regional, and continental levels.
• Provision of targeted technical assistance to build institutional capacities of key stakeholders, complemented by the development of tailored training programmes.
• Between October 2023 and March 2025:
  • More than 1,500 stakeholders participated in dialogue-related activities;
  • Two joint thematic meetings of the Rabat and Khartoum Processes were held, fostering cross-regional and cross-thematic cooperation on shared priorities;
  • With the support of the Rabat Process, a Network of National Focal Points for Missing Migrants was launched to address this pressing humanitarian issue.
• Enhanced participation of non-governmental actors in migration and mobility programming through the award of eight grants to projects led by 29 African and European civil society organisations, including NGOs, research institutes, universities, diaspora groups, and social enterprises. These initiatives span 25 African countries.
• Creation of the Joint Valletta Action Plan (JVAP) Database in 2017, enabling continuous monitoring and follow-up. Regular data collection campaigns are conducted in partnership with Dialogue stakeholders to track progress in JVAP implementation.

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