On 3-4 April, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Commission held this year’s European Migration Forum, which explored the role of civil society and local authorities in managing migration and ensuring safe and regular pathways to the EU.

The 2019 Forum, now in its fifth year, produced 10 recommendations which were the result of discussions by some 250 professionals from EU civil society organisations and representatives from local, regional and national authorities, European institutions and international organisations. They took part in panel discussions and workshops which focused on the many aspects of local migrant management. The recommendations will be sent to the European Parliament and will hopefully be taken into account by policy-makers in their efforts to improve the EU legal migration framework and to foster inclusion.

Among the recommendations adopted, we can mention:

• Harmonising processes among EU countries for welcome and integration of migrants;
• Strengthening cooperation among civil society and diaspora organisations and supporting their effort to provide information and incentives for reintegration of migrants in the countries of origin;
• Fostering regional dialogue and platforms with a view to creating public-private partnerships for mobility;
• Developing pilot projects in local authorities across the EU to ensure access to human rights for all;
• Establishing a structured process for consultation of NGO, local authorities and social partners in the management of legal migration.

The European Migration Forum was established in 2015 as a platform for dialogue between civil society, institutions and authorities on issues relating to migration and the integration of third-country nationals. It meets once a year to discuss the latest policy developments, and to gather and exchange information relating to migration and asylum.

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Press release

The 10 recommendations adopted by the Forum