Cooperation on migration under MED-URBIS programme

The European Commission has issued a call for proposal for cooperation on migration between networks of local authorities in the European Union and Mediterranean non-member countries (MNCs). In the context of regional cooperation, the Commission's Directorate-General for Exte...

The European Commission has issued a call for proposal for cooperation on migration between networks of local authorities in the European Union and Mediterranean non-member countries (MNCs).

In the context of regional cooperation, the Commission's Directorate-General for External Economic Relations wishes to launch the pilot phase of MED-URBIS, a programme for decentralized cooperation on migration between local authorities in the EU and those of the MNCs (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Cyprus, Malta, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and the Occupied Territories). This programme joins existing measures in the field of development cooperation with the MNCs. This call is aimed at selecting cooperation projects for Community funding in 1994-1995.

The programme is intended to foster partnership between local authorities in the EU with a particular interest in migration issues and local authorities in the MNCs from where many foreign nationals settling in the north of Europe originate.

The programme seeks to promote:
- The establishment or reinforcement of trans-Mediterranean cooperation networks formed by local authorities in Europe and the MNCs to deal with migration issues;
- Action taken within these networks to identify and help solve problems connected with migration;
- The use of migrants' potential for the economic and social development of their communities of origin and destination;
- The use of these networks to transfer experience and know-how concerning the management of migratory flows and their consequences;
- The development of contractual partnerships and efforts to strengthen and encourage lasting cooperation between network partners;
- Efforts to encourage the active involvement of all those who can contribute to municipal development (universities, enterprises, the press, associations, etc.).

The MED-URBIS migration programme is open to networks formed by local authorities in the EU and local authorities in the MNCs which have been directly or indirectly elected by universal suffrage. Projects must involve at least one MNC partner and at least two partners from two EU Member States.

Projects must focus on issues of common interest connected with urban development and the benefits and adverse effects of migratory flows. They must focus on social and economic issues, such as:
- Business start-up;
- Migrants' savings;
- Investment;
- Integrating young people into society;
- The health of mothers and children;
- Renovation of the housing stock;
- Social and administrative reception facilities;
- Improving the urban environment and quality of life;
- Stopping the brain drain from the MNCs;
- The social and economic integration of women.

This list of areas of activity is not exhaustive.

The following activities are eligible for Community funding under the MED-URBIS programme:
- Surveys;
- Audits;
- Methods of analysis, diagnosis;
- Pooling of experience and know-how transfers;
- Seminars, symposiums and conferences;
- Vocational training and placements;
- Databases;
- Communication, publications, dissemination of results;
- Grassroots involvement in the life of the community.

Projects must have specific objectives and a detailed work programme.
The form for the submission of proposals, along with the relevant terms and conditions, may be obtained from:

European Commission
DG I/H-2
200 rue de la Loi
B-1049 Brussels
Fax [phone]

Countries

Greece