Migration EU eXpertise ‘MIEUX’ is a joint EU-ICMPD initiative that aims to enhance the capacities of partner countries and regional organisations to better address all areas of migration through a comprehensive approach to migration management. Following the successful completion of its initial phase, MIEUX has now entered its second phase: MIEUX II (2012–2014). MIEUX II continues to provide short-term technical assistance to both national and regional administrations worldwide, but now offers a larger and broader scope of intervention to encompass all thematic areas of migration management. In addition to technical assistance in managing irregular migration and mixed migration flows, the scope now includes legal migration, labour migration, migration and development, migrant rights and asylum and protection systems.

MIEUX has received over 50 requests for assistance so far from almost 60 countries and regional organisations, spanning across the Eastern and Southern Dimensions. The Initiative provides assistance in line with the priorities of the EU Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM) and complements current EU mid- and long-term migration cooperation initiatives by implementing quick-reaction, short-term capacity building actions.

MIEUX supports relevant ministries and bodies responsible for comprehensively managing migration in partner countries (from Eastern Europe, Asia & Central Asia, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean and the Pacific). For activities with a regional impact, the relevant regional and/or sub-regional authority can also be supported. Interested countries are encouraged to send an email or fax to the ICMPD MIEUX Team in Brussels requesting technical assistance in areas of migration management where they have a particular need.

Over 70 experts from 19 EU Member States’ national administrations have been deployed by MIEUX to deliver technical assistance in a range of thematic areas of expertise. Benefits for MIEUX partner countries include:

• improved understanding and knowledge-base at expert and policy levels in targeted areas of migration management
• enhanced capacity to effectively manage migration
• greater confidence in and understanding of cooperation with the EU and EU Member States in the area of migration, also for the benefit of larger-scale and longer-term projects
• cooperation and platforms for the exchange of information and strengthened processes both at national and regional levels
• improved capacity to craft, implement and assess national migration policy and frameworks responding to strategic and political objectives.