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Migration and Home Affairs
  • 28 February 2024

European Migration Forum (EMF)

To encourage exchange and dialogue on migration, asylum and integration, civil society and European Institutions meet every year at the European Migration Forum (EMF). The Forum is co-organised and run by the European Commission - DG HOME, and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

EMF aims to be a truly inclusive platform – before they are chosen, Forum topics are discussed with civil society organisations. The Forum is an opportunity for civil society to express their views, exchange ideas and best practices, as well as discuss challenges and priorities with decision makers at the national and EU level.

Who participates in the Forum?

The Forum brings together a wide range of participants from civil society to relevant national authorities of EU countries, as well as EU institutions.

EU institutions and international organisations

Representatives of the following EU institutions regularly participate in the Forum:

  • European Parliament
  • European Commission
  • European Union Agency for Asylum
  • European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
  • the Expert Group on the views of migrants in the field of migration, asylum and integration
  • European Committee of the Regions

Apart from the European Union Institutions, international organisations such as the Red Cross, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) previously attended the Forum.

Civil society

EMF organisers select organisations from civil society through an open call. Participants are chosen based on their area of work and experience in connection with the topics that will be discussed throughout the Forum. In the past, civil society and foundations on migration participated, such as: Eurocities, European Council on Refugees and Exiles, Save the Children, New Women Connectors, New European Business Confederation and SOLIDAR.

Forum organisers also invite Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) - awarded projects to present their work and share best practice.

What happens at the Forum?

Each EMF agenda is unique and Forum topics vary every year. However, discussions and events are standard. Participants attend:

  • keynote speeches
  • panel debates
  • workshops
  • presentations of best practices and projects at the Networking Village
  • the session “The Floor is Yours” where participants suggest further topics to discuss in parallel break-out sessions
  • reception events with further networking opportunities

For more info on the agenda and outcomes of past EMFs, please consult the below section "Themes and outcomes of the European Migration Forum meetings".

What happens after the Forum?

With EMF’s diverse list of participants, discussion flourishes and Forum outcomes result from combining experience gathered both at decision-making level and work “on the ground”.

Because EU institutions organise and actively participate in EMF, they always strive to utilise the Forum’s outcomes for shaping future EU law and strategy on migration, asylum and integration. As an example, the “10 Recommendations adopted by the Forum” from the 5th EMF were considered in the European Commission’s Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion.

The EMF Bureau

Before the actual Forum event takes place, the EMF Bureau takes care of meeting agendas and organises the work of the Forum itself. The Bureau has six members:

  • one representative from the European Commission
  • one from the EESC
  • four members of civil society organisations (two coming from national-level organisations and the other two from EU-level organisations)

The civil society members of the Bureau are appointed for two years following an election that takes place during the Forum. The Bureau meets a maximum of 4 times a year, either in-person or online.

Themes and outcomes of the European Migration Forum meetings