“Migration is increasingly coming into sharp focus on the global agenda and is recognised as a powerful vehicle for boosting development in both countries of origin and destination” (COM2013) 292 final). The challenge of developing a common EU immigration and asylum policy is a hot political topic in the civil society agenda. There is an urgent need to provide a flexible framework that takes into account European Union countries’ particular situations, in order to coordinate:

• Emergencies and humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers and migrants, irrespective of their legal status;
• integrated border management;
• entry, residence conditions and human rights protection of asylum seekers and migrants;
• a consistent policy for fighting illegal immigration and trafficking of human beings;
• integration strategies for the inclusive growth and empowerment of migrants into the European Society.

The project “Migrations, Integration and Co-Development in Europe” encourages an intercultural dialogue between civil society organizations and citizens from different countries and living communities in Europe to express their views about EU policies related to migration and asylum and more broadly, about the key priorities and strategic actions needed to face common and current challenges. Through a bottom up approach the project involves citizens and members from civil society organisations, local authorities, educational, cultural or research institutions, town-twinning committees and networks that are active in the migration and asylum field.

Objectives

• To foster a lively and cross-border debate about EU policy related to migration, asylum and international protection among civil society organizations and citizens in Europe.
• To contribute to the kick-start of a common EU migration and asylum policy.
• To increase further cooperation, democratic engagement and civic participation between civil society organizations and citizens that are active in the migrations, asylum and inclusion field from different countries and living communities in Europe.

Activities

• An initial international workshop on “Migration, and co-development in Europe”. Venue: Caltanissetta, Italy. Dates: 8-10 May
• An online survey is launched in order to gauge public opinion of European Citizens  on current challenges, strategic priorities & key actions for the development of a common EU Policy in the areas of asylum and migration. The results will provide the basis for the development of recommendations for a European Citizen Initiative on a common EU policy on Migration and Asylum. You can access the survey here
• A final international seminar “A common European migration policy”. Venue: Caltanissetta, Italy. Dates: 3-4 October 2015
• As final output of the project, participants will work on recommendations for a European citizens’ initiative demanding a new European migration policy.
• Dissemination and exploitation activities will take place at both local and EU level.

You can download the word document or the pdf file with more information about all events and activities involved in this project.

Project coordinator

Italy, Caltanissetta, PRISM-Promozione Interanzionale Sicilia-Mondo

Project partners

• Italy, Caltanissetta, Migranti Solidali
• Cyprus, Lefkosia, CARDET (Centre for the Advancement of Research and Development in Educational Technology)
• Belgium, Liege    , INFOREF Initiatives pour une Formation Efficace
• Estonia, Tartu, SEIKLEJATE VENNASKOND
• France, Paris, FORUM EUROPE
• Germany, Berlin, Aufbruch Neukölln
• Greece, Patras, Hellenic Regional Development Center
• Austria, Linz, Volkshochschule Oberösterreich
• Latvia, Riga, HUMANA People to people in Latvia
• Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kumanovo, Roma Youth Centre
• Portugal, Lisboa, Centro em Rede de Investigaçãoem Antropologia
• Romania, Cluj Napoca, Centrul pentru Studiul Comparat al Migratiei
• Slovakia, Stropkov, A.D.E.L. - Association for Development, Education and Labour
• Hungary, Tudás Alapítvány
• Bulgaria, Varna, Assotiation of European projects in Bulgaria

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.