Swiss Civil Society Organizations Platform on Migration and Development

Project completed

Obtaining a coherent and practical Swiss foreign policy on migration (acknowledging the potential of migration for development) depends on the close collaboration between Swiss officials, civil society organisations and the private sector. In its second phase, the project “Swiss CSO Platform on Migration and Development” will contribute to shaping a constructive narrative on Migration and Development, while further strengthening the Swiss Civil Society’s contribution towards the Agenda 2030 and the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM)/Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). 

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Switzerland
Migration
nothemedefined
Migration generally (development aspects and partnerships)
Diaspora for development
Labour migration
01.11.2018 - 31.10.2021
CHF  1’514’110
Background The Agenda 2030 for sustainable development recognizes migration as an important factor for development. Considering the inherently transnational and complex nature of the phenomenon, no state can address migration related opportunities and challenges on its own. Switzerland has a long-standing tradition of involving its active civil society in the relevant debates around sustainable development generally and Migration and Development (M&D) specifically. In the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), civil society across the world will play an important role, both for advocacy as well as service provision for migrants and their families. So far, the Platform has brought together Swiss CSOs in this field, providing a forum for shaping a nuanced and evidence-based narrative.
Objectives The Platform contributes to an evidence-based and nuanced narrative on the Migration and Development nexus and is perceived as a credible partner in the discussions and implementation of the GCM/GCR
Target groups

Members of the Swiss CSO Platform, including NGOs, Diaspora organizations, research institutions and private sector actors benefit through sharing of knowledge, experiences, networks, capacity building and stronger linkages with relevant migration and development stakeholders internationally and nationally.

The ultimate beneficiaries are migrants and their families who benefit from the results of a relevant well informed and coherent national and global policy dialogue and the increased quality of services provided by CSOs.

Medium-term outcomes

Enhanced awareness of and collaboration between Platform members to engage in the Migration and Development discourse at project and policy level

Increased capacity and dialogue spaces for Platform members and other stakeholders to engage and exchange good practices and lessons learned related to the Migration and Development nexus laid out by GCM/GCR and the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development.

Platform members’ voices increasingly contributes to and is aligned with international CSOs positioning on Migration and Development. 

Results

Expected results:  

Formal exchanges with government stakeholders on relevant issues related to Migration and Development and the GCM/Agenda 2030 implementation

The Platform tests modalities for engaging private actors on Migration and Development.

Platform members’ voices increasingly contribute to and are aligned with international CSOs positioning on Migration and Development. 

Key recommendations from international CSO gatherings are thematised in the Platform’s discussions and events for contextualization in the Swiss context.


Results from previous phases:  

Establishment of the platform in terms of its governance structure and related processes, of a membership base (over 90 organisations so far) and a recognized identity through the Platform.

Coherence and collaboration between various Swiss-based actors working at the intersections of migration and development has increased.

Joint positioning of CSOs for the national positiong of the GCM as well as during the annual GFMD civil society days.

Relationships built with global CSO counterparts and participation in relevant global dialogue fora secured.

The first annual conference has gathered representatives of all the member organisations.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Caritas Switzerland


Other partners

Terre des Hommes (TdH) and the World Trade Institute (WTI) of the University of Berne as strategic partners

Swiss CSOs and Diaspora organisations

CSOs from across the world and international CSO-networks

Private sector (big retailers as pilots)

Academia

Swiss Government organisations (IMZ Partners)

Coordination with other projects and actors

CSO platforms supported by SDC (ADEPT, CTRS, BiH Platform, Migrant Forum Asia MFA

Swiss engagement in the global dialogues on migration and development as well as the regional portfolio in South Asia, Middle East and West Africa.

Swiss IMZ Structure on different topics to be explored, e.g. Diaspora, IMZ, Health etc.

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    1’514’110 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    303’850
Project phases

Phase 2 01.11.2018 - 31.10.2021   (Completed)

Phase 1 15.06.2015 - 31.10.2018   (Completed)