Platform For Partnerships (PFP)

The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), established in Brussels in 2007, is a state-led, voluntary process dedicated to informal non-binding and outcome-oriented dialogue. Its key objective is to advance understanding and cooperation among governments and other stakeholders on the mutually reinforcing relationship between migration and development, and to foster practical and action-oriented outcomes.

Each year the GFMD Meeting produces a number of recommendations which governments could pursue, including with the assistance of other GFMD partners, such as the Global Migration Group (GMG), and civil society actors. Since the GFMD has no operational capacity, the challenge is how to support governments that seek assistance in transforming these recommendations and examples of good practices into concrete actions and programs. The GFMD can address this challenge by providing more space for governments and non-governmental stakeholders to discuss GFMD-inspired initiatives.

Additionally, governments have requested during annual GFMD meetings to collect and make available online the practices on migration and development (M&D) that have been mentioned in GFMD Roundtable background papers or during GFMD Roundtable discussions and thematic meetings. These practices could include not only those that governments found to be useful and effective, but also those that offer lessons learned and identify potential pitfalls for other policy-makers.

In view of the foregoing, the PfP was launched in 2010 to foster the exchange of M&D practices, as well as to encourage governments to work in partnership -- with each other and/or with other key non-government stakeholders -- in developing and implementing M&D policies and programs. The PfP has two components. First, the online PfP - (www.gfmd.org/pfp) which is integrated in the GFMD web portal – showcases M&D practices and policy tools that have come out of GFMD discussions and debates. It also offers a space to make calls for action or partnership. Second, PfP meetings are organized to allow face-to-face interactions between governments and key partners, as they share M&D practices and signal offers to join or contribute to a particular project or partnership.  Since 2010, a PfP has been an integral part of the GFMD summit meeting program.

The GFMD Assessment in 2012 affirmed the potential of the PfP in enhancing the Forum’s impact on the global migration and development agenda. The PfP could support the work program of the GFMD Chair-in-Office through the continued sharing of knowledge and dynamic partnerships. It could also help achieve the long-term goal of making the GFMD a more evidence-based, dynamic and durable process.

The GFMD is a state-led process. Governments are invited to submit ‘practices’ and ‘calls for action’. Showcased practices can include other actors such as international organizations, civil society organizations, research institutions or the private sector.

All practices and calls are publicly available. But contact details and users profiles are only accessible to registered users. Registration is open for representatives of governments and international organizations that are considered as Friends of the Forum.

What can you find in the online PfP?

The online PfP features government’s policies and programs (M&D Practices) that have been inspired by GFMD discussions and recommendations.

It is a tool to facilitate the exchange and showcase of projects, programs and policies that are being undertaken by governments in the field of Migration and Development (M&D), and which are related to GFMD themes, debates and outcomes. The online PfP features the following sections:

• M&D Policy and Practice Database – showcases existing (or past) practices;
• M&D Policy Tools --  presents products and policy tools that emerged from GFMD outcomes;
• M&D Calls for Action --  fosters new projects and partnerships, and;
• M&D Networking – encourages communication and exchange amongst GFMD registered members.

Who are the actors/partners of Governments in M&D Practices?

Governments develop and implement M&D programs and policies unilaterally or in partnership with other countries, either on the bilateral or international front. Oftentimes, they seek inputs and assistance from non-government partners on the ground, notably the civil society and international organizations working in M&D policy areas.

You can find the implementers of the practices available on the website and, where available, an internet link.

Where can you find the different M&D Practices around the world?

Find the different practices by region via the interactive world map. Please use the Zoom tool on the top left corner of the map to Zoom In the region or country of interest. The available practices will then be displayed and you will be able to see its full description.

How can you contribute and benefit from the PfP?

Each of the 4 sections of the online PfP offers a space for you to share and inspire about your actions and experiences, and also to benefit from what other policymakers have been doing:

• M&D Policy and Practice Database – you can learn from existing projects, programs, policies and partnerships and you can submit your own practice by filling out a simple template and providing links or documents on the practice.
• M&D Policy Tools -- you can learn about concrete GFMD-inspired policy tools created by other participating governments, international agencies and M&D experts that can help inform your policy- decisions, laws and institutional structures.
• M&D Calls for Action – you can view and suggest new project ideas, seek and offer partners, funding, contributions, proposals, participation, and more.
• M&D Networking – as a GFMD stakeholder, you can maintain a GFMD account and view profiles of other GFMD users who you may wish to partner with or consult in the framework of the GFMD/PfP.