Programme Migration & Diaspora (PMD)
1. Initial situation
According to the United Nations, around 258 million people were migrants in 2017. The commitment of migrants to the development of their countries of origin is diverse, including e.g. money transfers, business start-ups that create jobs or knowledge transfer. However, migration also involves risks, such as the emigration of qualified specialists or the dangers of irregular migration. In cooperation with employment agencies and ministries, regular and orderly migration can be organised in a secure manner. This benefits the countries of origin and Germany.
2. Objective
Key actors in partner countries are increasingly using regular migration and diaspora engagement to achieve their development goals.
3. Approach
The programme works on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and is implemented by the Centre for International Migration and Development, a working group of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH and the the Central Agency of Foreign and Professional Affairs (ZAV) of the Federal Employment Agency.
The Global Compact for Migration, the Agenda 2030, the Immigration of Experts Act and the National Action Plan for Integration provide the framework for the project’s activities.
The project consists of three components, although not every component is implemented in all countries:
Regular labour migration and mobility
Many migrants who have lived and worked in Germany later return to their countries of origin, which benefits local employers. PMD supports the transfer of knowledge, e.g. through training and salary subsidies.
It also informs potential migrants about regular migration routes and the risks of irregular migration. When recruiting from abroad, the programme examines if the offers are feasible for the labour market in the country of origin. Counselling centres inform about requirements for labour and educational migration.
Diaspora cooperation
The programme supports diaspora experts in contributing their expertise to local institutions. It assists diaspora organisations that carry out their own projects with local partner organisations. Migrants also receive support in setting up businesses in their countries of origin.
In addition, migrants make financial contributions by transferring money to their families. The website geldtransfair.de provides them with an uncomplicated overview of the transfer fees of various providers.
Migration Governance
PMD advises governments and international partners on policy, organisational and strategy development on migration. Within institutions, staff is educated through trainings as well as through the use of experts while the development and implementation of sustainable migration policies is promoted.
4. Impacts
- The programme follows on from the experience of the previous project "Migration for Development (I and II)". Since the beginning of the Programme "Returning Experts" in the 1980s, numerous employers have benefited from the expertise of over 15,000 Returning Experts
- Since 2016, diaspora specialists have contributed their know-how to partner organisations in 266 short-term voluntary assignments
- Since 2011, up to 150 diaspora organisations have received funding for projects that sustainably improve the living conditions of people in partner countries
- The private sector involvement of migrants has been strengthened in selected countries of origin: since 2009, more than 90 companies have been founded to create numerous jobs and prospects in the countries of origin
- Currently, migration policy in seven selected countries is being shaped in a demand-oriented manner with individual counselling services and training courses
- Since 2017, more than 46,000 consultations have been held in the counselling centres