Seventh $teering
Committee Meeting

28 June 2019, 10.00 — 13:00

Minutes

Implemented by ICMPD

 

icy Development

DG HOME (A3)
DG HOMEE (A3) — Chair of the Steering Committee
DG HOME (Bl)
DG HOME (EI)

DG HOME (EI)
DG NEAR

DG NEAR
DG DEVCO

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CMEPD / Secretariat of the Steering Committee:
Director, Head of Brussels Mission, ICMPD

Deputy Head of Brussels Mission, Head of Resources
Management Brussels, ICMPD

MPF Project Manager, ICMPD

PP DATA Project Manager, ICMPD
MPF Project Officer, ICMPD

MPF Project Officer, ICMPD

Resource Management Officer, ICMPD

MPF Programme Assistant, ICMPD

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Opening remarks

ICMPD took note of the presence of three SC members (namely DG HOME and DG
NEAR and DG DEVCO; EEAS was absent).

DG HOMEE expressed its appreciation for the work accomplished together so far, took
positive note of the recent launch of four pilot projects on legal migration and
highlighted the flexibility of the instrument to adapt to evolving political priorities and
reasonable contracting time for the projects. The importance of close coordination
and early communication was emphasised. DG HOME expects ICMPD'’s ideas for the
next Delegation Agreement (DA) applying to the extent possible economies of scale
in order to allow for a cost-efficient set-up that builds on lessons leamt from previous
phases of implementation. The complementarity between the labour migration and
the other components of the MPF were emphasised. Finally, the strategic
importance of the external dimension in the framework of the next MFF was

Funded by the European Union Implemented by ICMPD

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International Centre for
Migration Policy Development

highlighted, as well as the necessity to reflect on how the concept of the MPF could be capitalized on in the future in this context. Updates on the Prague Process ICMPD acting as PP Secretariat stressed that the SOM held in June 2019 in Bucharest confirmed the continued interest in and the relevance of the Prague Process (PP) for the partner countries. Lithuania, in its current capacity of the Chair of the PP Strategic Group, introduced an idea to explore practical synergies between the Prague Process and the European Migration Network (EMN) and suggested to have a joint meeting to discuss possible ways of envisaged cooperation. PP Secretariat also presented the latest achievements, highlighting the update of the PP website, deliverables produced by the Migration Observatory and Training Academy, and capacity-building activities. Finally, the work plans for 2019 and 2020 were presented and discussed. DG HOME emphasized the constant need to reflect on practical and results-oriented component of migration dialogues stressing that concrete results are crucial. Furthermore, proliferation of processes should be avoided and possible collaboration with the EMN needs to be further explored. Members of the MPF SC stressed that coordination with the EC on border management should be proactively sought to ensure a coherent approach to IBM. The new ECBG Regulation should be applied for the capacity-building and training activities as the new overarching standard in border management. Synergies with DG NEAR, DG HOME and FRONTEX should be regularly sought, across ICMPD units and beyond the limits of the scope of the PP. It would be interesting to explore how ICMPD could support and facilitate cooperation on border management with Tunisia and Morocco, given its vast experience and expertise on the topic. The importance of exploring the full potential synergies with the new phase of MIEUX and EUROMED Migration was stressed. Members of the MPF SC also suggested ensure coordination and exchange with the Joint Research Center to give relevance to the concrete deliverables of the PP. Sixth Interim Report ICMPD provided an overview of the Actions under the scenarios A and B1 of the MPF I, their main results and achievements, highlighting the following: -   13 actions involving authorities from EU MS and respectively six MP and two CAMM countries supported the preparation and implementation of MPs and CAMMs and contributed to the attainment of general and specific objectives as well as the expected results of the MPF. -   Actions demonstrated a strong focus the Eastern partnership area from only a limited number of EU MS. -   The majority of the actions aimed to reinforce capacities of partner countries institutions, mainly in the fields of legal and irregular migration (particularly, on border management). -   Actions reached an expenditure rate of 84% of their total budgets. -   All MPF actions showed high degree of relevance, reached their objectives in terms of outputs and main results, while mostly those implementing capacity building are able to demonstrate a sustainable element in the transfer and embedment of knowledge into partner countries’ practices. In June 2019, ICMPD has launched an ex-post evaluation of five actions granted under MPF I to assess the impacts and sustainability of the activities implemented in

the partner countries. The results of the evaluation will be available by late November 2019. Under MPF II, three actions are currently in the implementation stage (between LV and respectively GE and MD and between IT and NG). The MPF team continues monitoring the actions’ implementation, scooping ideas and assisting potential applicants. ICMPD also briefed on the thematic workshop on Enhancing Cross-Border Police Cooperation through existing Political Frameworks held on 14-15 February 2019 at Europol HQ that brought about 85 participants from over 30 EU and non-EU countries to discuss strategic approaches and explore ways to enhance cross-border cooperation within the framework of MPs/CAMMs. ICMPD informed that the next MPF workshop on visa policies is planned for autumn 2019, coordination with DG HOME will be ensured. ICMPD reported on the progress made with regard to the online platform, including the testing phase for the representatives of GE and MD, import of data, and reporting tool (Kibana). DG HOME stressed the importance of alignment of the data format to EC format and the need for a possibility to directly upload or export data without manual entry. The feature that allows for attachment of deliverables to the respective projects was perceived as particularly useful. Drop-down menus with options to select should be prioritised versus free text fields to avoid proliferation of uncategorised data. Members of the SC were encouraged to test the platform and provide feedback. Upon DG Home request, ICMPD was requested to launch a second round of MP evaluations, this time focusing on Tunisia and possibly Armenia in view of having preliminary results (for Tunisia) by late November 2019. ICMPD provided an update on the communication and visibility activities highlighting the publication of the 6th edition MPF newsletter, infonotes on new projects and finalised actions and ongoing preparations to the development of the MPF website. Focus on Strand D: Pilot projects on labour migration, new ideas and coordination on next steps ICMPD reported on progress achieved on the Pilot Projects on Legal Migration. Four pilot projects have been contracted and are currently in the implementation stage. Projects implemented by Lithuania (“Digital Explorers”) and Belgium (“PALIM”) launched in early 2019 focus on the ICT sector and are currently preparing their respective mobility schemes. The matching exercise for the “Digital Explorers” has been already completed. Recently launched projects led by France (“HOMERe”) and Spain (“Young Generation as Change Agents”) focus on training and education sectors and are in the stage of planning and setting up the institutional and knowledge-base for the implementation. ICMPD highlighted the importance of the matching exercises as a key moment and milestone for all four projects. The level of involvement of the private sector and/or public authorities varies from project to project. The common challenge relates to available implementation timeline limited by the MPF II duration. Lithuania and Belgium already flagged the necessity for the no-cost extensions. In this context, Members of the MPF SC welcomed ICMPD’s suggestion to hold knowledge exchange sessions on the progress made and lessons learnt during the

implementation of the pilot projects. Such meetings would gather coordinators and the EC. The first meeting is tentatively planned for autumn 2019. It was also stressed that the MPF has proven a very interesting and useful tool for EU grant-making on legal migration. Small size and flexibility adds important value and could serve well as a tool to distribute potential future pooled funding from DEVCO, NEAR And HOME on the topic. This could become relevant as the plans for the new MFF shape up. MPF III ICMPD presented the rationale for the MPF III DA, flagging the following possible changes and inviting the SC to reflect on them: - Expanding the scope of target countries beyond those mentioned in the Concept Note (Strand D). - Expanding the eligibility of applicants enabling international organisations and EU MS private companies with the political scope or public mission (e.g. CIVIPOL) to apply. - Extending duration of the evaluation process for applications to 30 days (indicative). - Reconsidering the 2-step evaluation approach for Strand D. DG HOME signalled their openness to assess eligibility of target countries on a case- by-case basis, and agreed with the pertinence of the other ideas. The MPF team was invited to coordinate with the SC in writing on the development of language to be used in official documents and communication on these topics Conclusions and summary of next steps The following steps will be taken by ICMPD: - submit documents for the MPF III DA by 18 July; - share an access to the online platform with the SC Members; - finalise ex-post evaluation of implemented grants; - launch an evaluation of the MP for Tunisia and possibly Armenia; - submit proposals for revising current Steering Committee Rules of Procedures in view of launching the next Call for Proposals; - share revised AWPs 2019 for approval by written procedure. The next SC will take place early December 2019.