Deadline: 01-May-2026
The Africa–EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue (MMD) Support Programme offers grants of €100,000–€150,000 for short-term projects (up to 6 months) that improve migration governance, research, and policy development between Africa and the EU. Funded by the European Commission and implemented by ICMPD, it supports initiatives aligned with migration dialogue priorities such as climate migration, gender, and health.
Overview of the Programme
The Support Programme to the Africa–EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue (MMD) is implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development and funded by the European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships.
It is designed to strengthen cooperation between Africa and Europe on migration and mobility management.
Core Purpose of the Call
The programme focuses on improving migration governance and ensuring safe, orderly, and well-managed mobility systems.
Main Objectives
- Promote safe and orderly migration between Africa and Europe
- Strengthen migration governance systems
- Support evidence-based policy development
- Enhance dialogue between African and EU stakeholders
- Improve operational implementation of migration commitments
Key Thematic Priorities
Projects must align with the Africa–EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue priorities.
1. Migration Governance and Policy Support
Projects should strengthen institutional frameworks and policy coordination.
Examples
- Migration policy research and recommendations
- Capacity-building for migration authorities
- Data collection and analysis systems
- Governance framework development
2. Knowledge Generation and Research
A strong emphasis is placed on evidence-based contributions.
Focus Areas
- Applied migration research
- Policy briefs and technical studies
- Dialogue support materials
- Monitoring and evaluation insights
3. Cross-Cutting Themes
Projects may also address broader migration-related challenges.
Key Themes
- Climate-related migration
- Gender and migration
- Migration and health systems
- Diaspora engagement
Geographic Scope
Projects may operate across multiple regions.
Eligibility Coverage
- Up to 3 countries per project
- At least 1 African Union Member State required
- Activities may also include EU-based diaspora engagement
Funding Details
- Total indicative budget: €600,000
- Grant size per project: €100,000 – €150,000
- Maximum duration: 6 months
- All activities must conclude by 1 March 2027
Eligible Applicants
The call targets experienced institutional actors working in public interest.
Eligible Entities Include:
- NGOs and civil society organisations
- Community-based organisations
- Associations and networks
- Diaspora organisations
- Social enterprises
- Universities and research institutions
- Think tanks and policy centres
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be legally established at least 2 years before publication
- Operate on a non-profit public interest basis
- Be registered in an African Union or EU Member State
- Be directly responsible for project implementation
- Not have received funding from the first MMD grant call
Expected Outputs and Outcomes
The programme emphasizes measurable policy and governance impact.
Expected Outputs
- Policy recommendations for migration dialogues
- Research and analytical reports
- Operational tools for migration governance
- Knowledge-sharing platforms or outputs
- Inputs to Africa–EU dialogue processes
Expected Outcomes
- Strengthened Africa–EU migration cooperation
- Improved migration policy alignment
- Better-informed decision-making processes
- Enhanced institutional capacity in migration governance
Strategic Importance
This programme plays a key role in shaping Africa–EU migration cooperation.
It contributes to:
- Structured international migration dialogue
- Evidence-based policymaking
- Safer and more regulated migration pathways
- Stronger institutional collaboration between continents
- Integration of cross-cutting global challenges like climate and gender
Strong Proposal Characteristics
Successful applications typically demonstrate:
- Clear alignment with Africa–EU migration priorities
- Strong research or policy expertise
- Multi-country implementation strategy
- Measurable policy impact outputs
- Inclusion of cross-cutting themes (climate, gender, health)
- Strong partnerships between African and EU stakeholders
FAQs
What is the MMD Support Programme?
It is a grant programme supporting projects that improve migration governance and policy cooperation between Africa and the EU.
Who funds and manages the programme?
It is funded by the European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development.
How much funding is available?
Each project can receive between €100,000 and €150,000.
What is the duration of projects?
Projects can last up to 6 months and must be completed by 1 March 2027.
Who can apply?
Non-profit organisations such as NGOs, universities, think tanks, diaspora organisations, and social enterprises registered in the EU or African Union Member States.
What is the geographic scope?
Projects can be implemented in up to three countries, including at least one African Union Member State.
What types of activities are funded?
Research, policy development, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing activities related to migration governance.
Conclusion
The Africa–EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue Support Programme is a focused, high-impact funding opportunity designed to strengthen migration governance through research, policy development, and cross-continental collaboration.
By supporting short-term but strategically targeted projects, it helps translate dialogue commitments into actionable migration policies and improved cooperation between Africa and Europe.
For more information, visit ICMPD.