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Coordination Group on Migration

Coordination group on migration under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI – Global Europe) and the Member States’ bilateral cooperation instruments

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This archive contains agendas and substantive documents obtained from the 'Coordination group on migration under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI – Global Europe) and the Member States’ bilateral cooperation instruments', also known as the Coordination Group on Migration.

It is an "informal special group," meaning it is not subject to the same transparency requirements as other Commission expert and advisory groups. This archive contains:

Agendas

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29 July 2024

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09:30- 09:45 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

09:45 – 10:30 Presentation by DG INTPA of 2 actions in Cameroun and Uganda considered under the Flexible Mechanism as well as presentation by Member States of their possible projects in the same countries.

10:30- 10:45 Concluding remarks (INTPA and EEAS)

 

9 July 2024

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14.00-14.30 Opening remarks (EEAS, NEAR)

14.30 –16.50 Presentation by DG NEAR of 4 actions related to countries in North of Africa and in the Eastern Neighbourhood region, followed by Q&A.

16.50 Concluding remarks (NEAR and EEAS)

 

12 June 2024

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09:30 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

09:35 – 13:00 Presentation by DG INTPA and FPI of 10 actions related to countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Asia, followed by questions and comments by EU Member States as well as presentation of their possible projects in the same region.

  • Responding to the increasing arrival of refugees and returnees from Mali in the Hodh El Chargui region – support to conflict prevention and social cohesion
    • A €2 project funded by the NDICI – Global Europe Rapid Response Pillar
    • “This 18-month exceptional assistance measure seeks to prevent and manage conflict by strengthening social cohesion between host communities, refugees, and returnees. In line with the EU’s integrated approach to external conflicts and crises, the action will improve the economic and environmental resilience of host populations and refugees out-of-camp in the Hodh El Chargui region and more specifically, will support the consolidation of conflict prevention, resolution and management mechanisms related to the governance of natural resources, in particular through participatory community plannings and their implementation to improve access of populations to basic social services"

13:00 Concluding remarks (INTPA and EEAS)

 

22 May 2024

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14:00- 14:15 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

14:15 – 14:45 Presentation by DG INTPA of 1 action related to Guinea as well as presentation by EU Member States of their possible projects in the same country.

14:45 – 16:45 Presentation by DG INTPA of 4 actions in Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Djibouti considered under the Flexible Mechanism as well as presentation by Member States’ of their possible projects in the same countries.

16:45- 17:00 Concluding remarks (INTPA and EEAS)

 

12 April 2024

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09:30 Opening remarks (EEAS, NEAR)

09:35 – 11:35 Presentation by DG NEAR of 4 actions related to countries in North of Africa and in the Eastern Partnership region.

11:35 Concluding remarks (NEAR and EEAS)

 

11 March 2024

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09:30 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

09:35 – 13:00 Presentation by DG INTPA of 14 actions related to countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, followed by questions and comments by EU Member States as well as presentation of their possible projects in the same region.

14:00 – 15:00 Presentation by DG INTPA of 3 actions related to countries in Asia and Latin America, followed by questions and comments by EU Member States as well as presentation of their possible projects in the same region.

15:00 Concluding remarks (INTPA and EEAS)

 

6 February 2024

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09:30- 09:45 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

09:45 – 10:30 Presentation by DG INTPA of 1 action in Mauritania considered under the Flexible Mechanism as well as presentation by Member States of their possible projects in the same countries.

10:30- 10:45 Concluding remarks (INTPA and EEAS)

 

18 December 2023

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09:30- 09:45 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

09:45 - 12:00 Presentation by DG INTPA and FPI of 8 actions related to countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, followed by questions and comments by EU Member States as well as presentation of their possible projects in the same region.

14:00 - 16:10 Presentation by DG NEAR and FPI of 9 actions related to countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, followed by questions and comments by EU Member States as well as presentation of their possible projects in the same regions.

16:10 - 16:15 Concluding remarks (NEAR and EEAS)

 

27 July 2023

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09:30 - 09:45 Opening remarks (INTPA, EEAS)

09:45 - 10:45 Presentation of the action on “Improving Cameroon’s migration management capacity and cooperation”, and discussion

10:45- 11:45 Presentation of the action on “Enhancing the management of international protection in South Africa", and discussion

11:45- 12:45 Presentation of the action on “Supporting Chad, South Sudan and Ethiopia to addressing the Sudanese displacement situation” and discussion

12:45- 13:00 Concluding remarks (INTPA, EEAS)

 

4 July 2023

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14:00 - 14:15 Opening remarks (INTPA, EEAS)

14:15 - 15:00 Presentation by DG INTPA of 3 actions related to SSA countries.

15:00 - 15:15 Presentation by FPI of 1 action related to Central Asia.

15:15- 15:30 Concluding remarks (INTPA, EEAS)

 

2 June 2023

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09:00 - 09:15 Opening remarks (EEAS, NEAR)

09:15 – 11:45 Presentation by DG NEAR of programme fiches, and comments and information provided by EU Member States

  • Return and reintegration
    • Regional migrant protection, assisted voluntary return and reintegration for vulnerable and stranded migrants in North Africa
  • Migration and Border management, fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking
    • Regional anti-smuggling and trafficking in North Africa (Central Mediterranean route)
    • Strengthening the operational capacity of the Egyptian Coast Guard and Egyptian Border Guard to manage migration flows through effective surveillance and search and rescue at land and sea – PHASE 2
    • Supporting Tunisia in the management of its land and sea borders
  • Protection
    • Partnership for a sustainable integration of migrants to foster socio-economic cohesion in Morocco and Tunisia
    • EU support to protection and resilience of migrants, refugees and individuals in need of protection in Libya
  • Other:
    • Migration Technical Cooperation Facility

11:45- 12:00 Conclusive remarks (NEAR, EEAS)

 

4 May 2023

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09:30 - 09:45 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

09:45 - 10:00 Presentation by DG INTPA of a new NDICI-GE project idea in Latin America and comments and information provided by EU Member States

10:00 - 12:00 Presentation by DG INTPA of eight new NDICI-GE project ideas in Asia and comments and information provided by EU Member States

12:00 - 13:00 Presentation by DG INTPA of four new NDICI-GE project ideas of global nature and comments and information provided by EU Member States

13:00- 13:15 Conclusive remarks (INTPA, EEAS)

14:00- 15:00 Possibility to continue the meeting on any of the points mentioned above in case not exhausted earlier

 

30 March 2023

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09:30 - 09:45 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

09:45 - 12:30 Presentation by DG INTPA of seven new NDICI-GE project ideas in Sub-Saharan Africa and comments and information provided by EU Member States

14:00 - 15:15 Presentation by DG NEAR of two new NDICI-GE project ideas in North Africa and comments and information provided by EU Member States

15:15 - 15:30 Conclusive remarks (EEAS, NEAR)

 

25 January 2023

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09:30 - 09:45 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

09:45 - 11:00 Presentation of six new NDICI-GE projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

11:00 - 12:00 EUMS to make their comments and present their new initiatives in this region

12:00 - 12:30 Presentation of three new NDICI-GE projects in Asia and Latin America and reaction by EUMS

 

24 November 2022

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09:30 - 09:45 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

09:45 - 10:00 Information on the comments sent by Member States on the 3 Flexible mechanism projects presented at the Coordination Group meeting of 16th November

10:00- 11:15 Presentation of five new NDICI-GE projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

11:15 - 11:45 EUMS to make their comments and present their new initiatives in this region

11:45 - 12:00 Concluding remarks for the morning session (EEAS, INTPA)

14:00 - 14:15 Introductory remarks (EEAS, DG NEAR)

14:15 – 14:45 Presentation of two new NDICI-GE Projects in Turkey

14:45 - 15:00 EUMS to make their comments and present their new initiatives in this region

15:00 - 15:15 Presentation of one new NDICI-GE Project in Moldova

15:15- 15:30 EUMS to make their comments and present their new initiatives in this region

15:30-15:45 Concluding remarks for the afternoon session (EEAS, DG NEAR)

 

16 November 2022

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09:30 - 09:45 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

09:45 – 10:45 Presentation of 3 projects under the Flexible Mechanism established under the Regional Multi-annual Indicative Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa.

10:45 - 11:30 EUMS to present their initiatives/Questions

11:30-11:45 Concluding remarks for the morning session (EEAS, INTPA)

 

19 October 2022

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09:30 - 09:45 Opening remarks (EEAS, INTPA)

09:45 - 10:45 Presentation of Asia projects (5)

10:45 - 11:30 EUMS to present their initiatives/Questions

11:30 - 12:00 Presentation of LAC projects (2)

12:00 -12:45 EUMS to present their initiatives/Questions

12:45-13:00 Concluding remarks for the morning session (EEAS, INTPA)

14:00 - 14:15 Introductory remarks (EEAS, DG NEAR)

14:15 - 15:15 Presentation of DG NEAR Projects (4)

15:00 - 16:00 EUMS to present their initiatives/Questions

16:00 - 16:15 Concluding remarks for the afternoon session (EEAS, DG NEAR)

 

17 June 2022

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  1. West Africa
  2. North Africa
  3. Lunch break
  4. Sub-Saharan Africa

 

1 April 2022

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  1. Global actions
  2. Americas
  3. Asia
  4. Sub-Saharan Africa
  5. North Africa
  6. Easter Europe [sic]

 

18 February 2022

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  1. North Africa
  2. Eastern Europe

 

3 December 2021

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  1. Asia and the Pacific
  2. Latin America and the Caribbean
  3. Sub-Saharan Africa
  4. North Africa
  5. Eastern Mediterranean
  6. Eastern Europe

 

Project fiches

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Project fiches circulated for discussion at meetings of the Coordination Group on Migration, for which it has not been possible to establish the meeting they relate to.

Support to Cross-Border Cooperation and Integrated Border Management in North Africa

  • A project based in North Africa (no more specific location is stated) attempting to tackle “organized crime groups, including those involved in migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings.”
  • The budget and proposed duration are censored
  • The project is “part of both the Central Mediterranean migration route Team Europe Initiative and the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic migration route Team Europe Initiative”

 

Strengthen protection and resilience of Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in vulnerable situation in Egypt

  • A project in Egypt for “basic service delivery and access to basic services, mainly health and education protection of unaccompanied minors and young adults via family reunification and child protection.”
  • The budget and proposed duration are both censored

 

Enhance international cooperation against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings in North Africa

  • A project that aims to “strengthen law enforcement’s capacity across North Africa to effectively investigate and prosecute organized crime groups engaging in migrant smuggling and, as appropriate, trafficking in human beings”
  • This will be done by increasing the ability of police forces to “manage, share, analyse, and use police information” and to “conduct cooperative targeted police operations”
  • The project foresees possible cooperation with Interpol and EU justice and home affairs agencies

 

Strengthening the operational capacity of the Egyptian Navy and Border Guards in managing migration flows and provide Search and Rescue at sea

  • Key points
    • Aims at “the prevention of irregular crossings by Egyptians and other nationality migrants living or transiting in Egypt”
    • The project’s “stakeholders” include the Egyptian Ministry of Defence, and others whose names are censored
  • From: Unknown
  • To: Coordination Group on Migration
  • Document date: Undated, released 30 October 2024

 

EU support to legal migration, mobility and skills partnerships with North of African countries

  • Aims to build on other projects including THAMM, but “will focus more on the human capital development sector; will foster a stronger involvement of the private sector; will set up a stronger coordination mechanisms in partner countries to strengthen national authorities’ ownership.”
  • The proposed budget and duration are censored

 

Support for the protection and economic and social integration of Tunisian returnees, displaced populations and host communities in Tunisia and Morocco

  • A project aiming to “improve access to protection and economic and social integration for Tunisians [sic] returnees, displaced populations and host communities in Tunisia and Morocco”
  • The document notes: “It is essential to create local opportunities for Tunisian youth, in order to have perspectives other than that of departure to succeed, but also at the same time to strengthen the support mechanism for the return”
  • The proposed budget is censored

 

Other documents

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Documents produced by or for the Coordination Group on Migration, for which it has not been possible to establish the meeting they relate to (if any).

Note for the attention of INTPA, FPI and NEAR Senior Management and Heads of Delegation (Guidance note on migration marker in NDICI-Global Europe) (Intpa.g.6 (2021)6244514, 1 August 2021)

  • Guidance note establishing rules for tracking EU spending on migration-related actions in third countries, in response to the requirement that the NDICI-Global Europe funding instrument (the EU's main development aid and external cooperation funding tool for 2021–2027) dedicate 10% of its funds towards “actions supporting management and governance of migration and forced displacement.”
  • Notes that development projects funded through NDICI-GE count towards “achieving the migration spending target” if they “address the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement” but only “when they directly target specific challenges related to migration and forced displacement.”
  • Gives instructions on designing projects that are relevant to meeting the migration spending target; that such projects should analyse the migration situation in the country in which the action will take place, directly target migration “challenges,” and monitor and report on “migration-related results.

 

Coordination group on migration under the NDICI - Global Europe and the Member States' bilateral cooperation instruments – founding letter and rules of procedure (WK 16046/22, 21 November 2022)

  • A founding letter & rules of procedure document that establishes the Coordination Group on Migration, an informal group between the European Commission and EU Member States to “exchange information and views to ensure coordination and coherence” on the use of NDICI – Global Europe funds to “support external migration-related actions.”
  • The group's objectives are to “ensure maximum synergies between EU and Member State actions,” while avoiding duplication of effort, through information exchange on planned migration projects in third countries.
  • Explains that CGM meetings are intended to provide a forum for Member states to discuss implementation and coordination of future projects, and to monitor progress toward the NDICI-GE’s target of spending 10% of its external development and aid budget on migration related projects, including a means to provide updates to the European Parliament and Council on this progress.

 

Coordination group on migration under the NDICI - Global Europe and the Member States’ bilateral cooperation instruments - Terms of Reference (ToR) (Ares (2021)6942056, 11 November 2021)

  • The group is "an informal special group created by the Commission," made up of "the relevant European Commission’s services and the EEAS, and the relevant EU Member States’ authorities."
  • The purpose of the group is "to exchange information and views to ensure coordination and coherence between the use of NDICI – Global Europe funds to support external migration-related actions and Member States’ migration-related actions"
  • Three types of item are considered for discussion in the group: "Exchange on the implementation orientations"; Coordination discussions in view of future projects; and Information on approved projects

 

Libya and Tunisia, “EU Support for Border Management Institutions in Libya and Tunisia” Action Document (undated, released 30 October 2024)

  • Proposes €45 million for maritime rescue centres, border surveillance, and coast guard training in Libya and Tunisia, framed as a humanitarian search and rescue objective, despite political instability and the potential risk of "critical security conditions" impeding the project.
  • Emphasizes “prevention of departures” and increasing surveillance capabilities through technical support and training programs, with €5 million specifically allocated to complete Tunisia's coastal surveillance system.
  • Would establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and Border Guard Training Academy in Libya, funding the expansion of Tunisian coastal patrol capabilities with a training academy, and maintain “complementary land border management actions.”

 

Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia, “Towards a Holistic Approach to Labour Migration Governance and Labour Mobility in North Africa” (THAMM III) (undated, released 30 October 2024)

  • Proposes a €5 million action to promote EU-approved "legal migration pathways" between North African countries and EU Member States through training and mobility schemes, a continuation of previous pilots and phases (THAMM I and THAMM II).
  • Discusses continued facilitation of cooperation with North African countries on labor migration and mobility schemes through support for vocational training, skills matching, and institution building that will be “mutually beneficial for both societies and labour markets in Europe.”
  • As with previous THAMM initiatives, no mention of relaxing EU visa policy (only a passing mention of working with consulates and supporting “legal migration management”) - the proposed activities focus is on analysing the EU’s labour market needs, setting up vocational trainings, and encouraging exchange partnerships between EU and North African institutions.

 

Libya, “Increasing protection and resilience of migrants, forcibly displaced persons and host communities in Libya” Action Document (undated, released 30 October 2024)

  • Proposes a €55 million action carried out in Libya through grants and NGO partners to increase protection and aid to forcibly displaced people, including employment and evacuations, alongside “awareness raising” about the risks of smuggling, and protection against smuggling.
  • Details "dire" conditions in Libyan detention facilities, including lack of food, water, ventilation and sanitation, extreme overcrowding, absence of female guards leading to high risk of sexual violence, and limited humanitarian agency access.
  • Project is presented as aligning with New Pact on Migration and Asylum, focusing on protection and assistance while acknowledging Libya remains the major hub for irregular migration to Europe across the Central Mediterranean route.

 

Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt “Supporting Sustainable Protection, Return and Reintegration in North Africa” Action Document (undated, released 30 October 2024)

  • Proposes a 3-year, €60 million program beginning in 2022 to work with North Africa partner countries to return stranded or detained migrants to their countries of origin, and to support “sustainable reintegration” of North Africa region returnees from EU.
  • Frames the action as “supporting voluntary returns,” while acknowledging an “urgent lack of effective protection and sufficient assistance” faced by migrants in the region (particularly Libya), and the “limited channels” for legal migration.
  • The action intends to strengthen partner countries' capacity to return migrants to countries of origin, and increase partner countries’ “ownership” over that process, while collecting data about the project and migration flows for future use.
  • The action overlaps with, and works in collaboration with, several interlocking existing reintegration programs in the region by IOM, ICMPD, civil society, EU member states, and more, and acknowledges that “shortcomings on coordination” with these programs are a problem the action hopes to solve.

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