Strengthening cities for migration and development

Ultimate beneficiaries are poor and vulnerable female and male (internal and international) migrants, as well as local communities. 

Direct beneficiaries are local governments, municipal authorities, municipal service providers, and the private sector in the Global South.

• Evidence and data on the migration and urbanisation nexus and the complex interactions between migrants and cities is created and informs policy-making and programming for sustainable development.
• Capacities of cities, their authorities and other local actors (especially the private sector) are strengthened in addressing migration & sustainable development, leading to innovative approaches and partnerships.
• Urban migration is promoted as a key theme in global policy dialogue processes and the voice of cities is leveraged.

Risultati principali attesi:  

• Improved data on urban migration and evidence-based knowledge and approaches are generated, with the following thematic areas: (i) cities and inclusive migration governance, (ii) cities and labour migration, (iii) cities and forced migration (conflict-related and due to natural disaster).
• The generated evidence feeds into development programming and policy works.
• Pilot initiatives trigger innovative local governance systems and programs on the ground in the identified thematic areas.
• Enhanced exchange, cooperation and peer-learning among local, national, and international urban stakeholders for improved management of migration to cities.
• Strengthened ability of local governments to engage in migration and refugee diplomacy between local governments and vis-à-vis the multilateral (inter-state) system.

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

• Continous advocacy for the local perspective has triggered important developments in global fora on migration & development (M&D), such as the planned set-up of a Mayoral Mechanism within the Global Forum on M&D.
• Cities have increasingly engaged in global processes: through the SDC-supported Mayoral Forum on Human Mobility, Migration and Development and through targeted inputs to the Global Compact for Migration process.
• Research partnership with ETHZ focusing on migration in West Africa (coast of the Gulf of Guinea) has yielded relevant insights on the mutually reinforcing dynamics of migration and urbanisation and their effects for development.
• The Mediterranean City-to-City Initiative, gathering cities from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East around migration issues, has established a dynamic network for peer-to-peer learning and a community of practice, fostering dialogue and capacity-building in migration governance.
• The new partnership of Switzerland (SDC & SECO) with Cities Alliance has been strengthened with the elaboration of a Joint Work Programme on “Cities and Migration”.

International organizations and agencies in the area of migration & sustainable development, international organizations specialized in cities and sustainable urban development, academia and think tanks, private sector associations, Swiss and international NGOs, local government /city networks and associations, bilateral cooperation partners;

Synergies are developed with the GPMD program and will be sought with SDC global and bilateral programs.

The program will be closely coordinated with SECO and its experience in urban contexts.

Fase 1 15.10.2017 - 30.06.2022   (Completed)