Objective 7: Address and reduce vulnerabilities in migration

The Africa Regional Migration Program (ARMP) focuses on enhancing the capacities of host governments and civil society to support the resilience of local communities. Its primary objective is to strengthen migration governance, promote partnerships, and enhance preparedness for crises. This program will enhance the coordination and cooperation of governments in addressing migration challenges and leveraging multiple opportunities associated with well-managed migration for both migrants and host societies. 

At COP26, President Biden announced his Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE), which brings together the diplomatic, development, and technical expertise of the United States to help more than half a billion people in developing countries adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change by 2030. Co-led by USAID and the U.S. Department of State, PREPARE is the U.S.

This report provides an overview of climate change and its impact on migration that informs a proposal for how U.S. foreign assistance can better address the effects of climate change impacts on displacement and migration. It goes further to outline options for protection and resettlement of individuals displaced directly or indirectly from climate change and identifies opportunities for the United States to work with other stakeholders, including through multilateral engagement, to address migration resulting directly or indirectly from climate change. 

In 2016, under the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the EU, the ‘Urban Agenda for the EU’ was launched to give European cities a greater say in shaping EU legislation, funding, and instruments for knowledge exchange. The initiative brought together cities, Member States and EU policymakers around 12 priority areas key to cities’ future—each area covered by a dedicated Partnership.

The Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) is a European Union (EU)-funded initiative supporting the external dimension of EU migration policy. Launched in January 2016, the MPF supports dialogue and cooperation on migration and mobility between EU Member States and priority partner countries outside the EU.  

The MPF, currently in its fourth phase, operates mainly through grants aligned with priorities outlined in its Calls for Proposals. MPF grants cover two main thematic areas:

A skills profiling tool that can support skills mapping initiatives. This project aimed at facilitating better integration of Syrian refugees resettled to the UK, Germany, Portugal, and Romania. The project involved pre-departure skill profiling, post-arrival integration support and information sharing with host communities to support mutual learning and exchange.

This project assisted host community members and SuTPs in gaining access to formal employment through the delivery of a vocational training programme, developing beneficiaries’ vocational and technical skills. This intervention created livelihood opportunities in the local market for programme graduates, specifically focused on the production of niche agri-food products with strong and stable consumer demand.

In both Tunisia and Ethiopia, rural outmigration, especially of youth, is a reality challenging rural development and transformation, although in different ways. To respond to these challenges, the objectives of the e Rural Youth Mobility Project (RYM) project were to address the adverse drivers of migration, while at the same time enhancing the positive impact of rural outmigration of youth on food security and rural development in rural areas of origin.

Overseas Assessment Program, or the TESDA Onsite Assessment Program: The Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) brings its services to the country where the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are located. Competency assessment and certification services are provided for the confirmation of possession of competencies required in the preferred workplace. Skills trainings are also provided to meet the standards of industries and companies where OFWs can find better opportunities.

This joint project seeks to improve migrant workers and refugees’ access to decent work and sustainable livelihoods by ensuring their employability, and access to employment opportunities and social protection programs implemented in Mexico City and Santiago. To that end, the project will design and support interventions that strengthen and articulate city services in both cities to provide an adequate response to populations on the move who are facing increased vulnerability. It will seek to create public-private synergies by engaging social actors and strengthening social dialogue.