On 20 November, 2024, members of the NALAS Working Group on Social Inclusion and Migration, along with LGA project coordinators and international experts, gathered in Skopje for a meeting focused on enhancing the coordination of mixed migration in Southeast Europe (SEE). The event aimed to develop actionable recommendations to address migration challenges across local, national, and regional levels. The meeting aimed to deepen the understanding of the key elements of migration management, explore the roles and responsibilities of Local Government Associations in addressing migration challenges, and formulate draft recommendations for managing mixed migration at the local level in SEE. 

The morning session featured presentations by GIZ PeMo project’s international experts on key migration topics, including the concept and phases of migration management, human rights perspectives for people on the move, particularly at the local level, and best practices from SEE countries on effective migration management. These expert insights provided participants with a solid foundation to approach migration challenges holistically. 

Reflecting on these discussions, Boran Ivanoski emphasized, ‘Considering the current global migration challenges and demographic trends in the SEE region, migration has emerged as a critical issue for local governments. As the first line of response, they play a key role in ensuring social inclusion and safeguarding the economic, social, and cultural rights of both the domestic population and people on the move, which are directly connected to core local government competencies such as education, social and health care, employment, and housing.’”

In the afternoon, the members of the working group  through peer exchange discussed contextual challenges and collaborative efforts for development of actionable policy recommendations. This interactive process allowed for the alignment of perspectives and the prioritization of solutions tailored to the specific context of the SEE region. 

The event brought together members of the NALAS Working Group, project coordinators from Local Government Associations, GIZ and NALAS project teams (PEMO and SORI), and international experts on migration and social inclusion. Through this dynamic event, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to building coordinated, human-rights-based approaches to migration management across the SEE region.