News

Applications for the European Union Scholarships Project are now open from 15 September to 1 November 2025, offering financial support and opportunities in social cohesion and employability to undergraduate, graduate, 2-year post-secondary vocational students and associate degree across Türkiye, including those are Turkish citizens as well as under temporary and international protection. 

On 5 September 2025, the EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10) marked the completion of its 10th phase with a Closing Conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The event gathered more than 100 high-level representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and national agencies of the five Central Asian countries, the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic, EU Member States’ embassies, international organisations and the BOMCA Consortium and Associated Partners. 

Ghana has taken a significant step forward in advancing the African Union Free Movement Protocol (AU-FMP) with renewed calls for accelerated ratification to position the country as a model for the sub-region.

The European Union (EU), the Migration Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) have launched the first Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Uzbekistan in the framework of EU-funded project “PROTECT: Improving Migration Management and Migrant Protection in selected Silk Routes and Central Asian Countries”. The main purpose of the MRC is to expand access to services for potential migrants across the region on safe and legal migration and raise awareness on the risks of irregular migration and threats of human trafficking. This is the third MRC established in the Central Asia region.

Of the 1.2 billion young people joining the global workforce by 2030, around 450 million of them are from Africa. With their dynamic strength, creativity, and skills, these young movers are not only stakeholders in migration and labour policies now – they would also be vital architects of the future. Meanwhile, Europe undergoes profound demographic changes marked by ageing populations and growing labour shortage in essential sectors.

Launching in August 2025 and running through August 2026, the Seasonal and fair employment blueprints (SaFE) project will equip EU Member States with modular blueprints and tailored technical assistance to design or enhance seasonal worker mobility programmes for non-EU nationals. SaFE will deliver practical reference tools for the agriculture and tourism sectors, with a special focus on ethical recruitment and decent living and working conditions. By addressing critical labour shortages in these key sectors and closing policy and implementation gaps, the project promotes dignified, transparent seasonal work across the EU.

During 21-25 July, ICMPD organised a study visit to Poland for the Moldovan law enforcement community, focusing on Integrated Border Management (IBM). A range of experiences and lessons were shared during the visit to support Moldova in designing its national IBM strategy. 

ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger met with North Macedonia’s Minister of Interior Pance Toskovski and Minister of European Affairs Orhan Murtezani to discuss regional migration developments, strengthening border management, EU integration support, and the evolving European migration outlook impacted by the developments, including the Middle East.

Addressing irregular migration, combating human trafficking, and strengthening border management remain top priorities for Iraq. In this interview, Fatimah Jarkas, Head of ICMPD’s Office in Iraq, shares her insights on growing government engagement and the impact of Migration Resource Centres (MRCs). She reflects on ICMPD’s work in the country and emphasises how trust and collaboration are key drivers for sustainable change.

ICMPD’s Migrant Resource Centres (MRC) joined the EUAA in hosting EU Member States, the EEAS and the European Commission, non-EU partner countries, key international organisations and NGOs, and civil society¹ to advance complementary pathways for Afghan refugees.

ICMPD successfully hosted the 12th International Summer School on Migration on 29 June-4 July 2025 in Armenia.

ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger met with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth, His Excellency Tomislav Donchev on 24 June 2025.

Over 60 officials from 16 countries and eight international organisations held the Budapest Process Thematic Meeting on Legal Pathways for Migration in Pakistan. The meeting specifically focused on strengthening the existing policies and pathways for legal migration and labour mobility, setting the strategic foundation for the dialogue's work in the coming years.

ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger and Deputy Director General Sedef Dearing met with His Excellency Rachid Meddah, Director General of Migration Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on 17 June 2025.