Following the bureau discussion on migration, Secretary General Mathieu Mori met with European Commission’s DG Home Affairs, in charge of migration and integration of migrants and refugees. An action plan for the migrants and refugees by the European Commission will be published in April 2016. This action plan will focus on the following areas:
- Access to the job market
- Social inclusion through culture or sport for example
- Better use of European funds
- Territorial dimension, for instance a better coordination of the topic with the urban agenda
A discussion has started about best ways for AER members to share their good practices and advise the European Commission. AER has asked to be involved in the drafting of the action plan and its implementation. The European Commission will also come and present the action plan to AER members.
A first step is for member regions interested in sharing their best practices to directly do so on the European Commission website either by posting their activities on the website or by contacting Ms Valeria Setti (+32 2 295 77 34).
The European Commission is regularly launching calls for proposals in the field of migration and integration. They can be found here.
Tighter cooperation has started with the Commission on this topic. We will keep the AER members posted on the further developments.
