"Shaping Fair and Effective Migration Systems": EPIM Call for Proposals now open

Over the past years, the EU and its Member States have been placing an increasing emphasis on reducing irregular migration. The aim to shape effective migration systems and to reduce irregularity can be pursued in different ways. Nonetheless, the need for `migration control´ has so far been primarily interpreted through the lens of deterrence and enforcement. This Call for Proposals is focused on addressing two specific manifestations of such an approach, which hamper humane and sustainable responses to irregularity:

• The emergence of new forms of (de facto) detention, both inside and outside the EU territory, which are often characterised by a lack of transparency and adequate procedural safeguards.
• A continuing lack of alternative pathways for status resolution at national level. Undocumented migrants have limited options to resolve their status and face an increased risk of arbitrary detention, including in cases where they cannot be returned.

Through this Call for Concept Notes, EPIM aims to support civil society organisations in shaping fair and effective migration systems by promoting humane and sustainable responses to irregularity. Concept notes should address the two following objectives, linked to at least one of the two above-mentioned manifestations:

• Identify and challenge current gaps, which hamper fair and effective status resolution
• Frame and promote alternative approaches to ensuring fair and effective status resolution

This Call for Proposals invites CSOs operating either at national or at EU level to propose a project consortium with other CSOs, international organisations, academic institutions and/or public bodies operating at national and/or EU level in order to address the manifestations and objectives mentioned above.

EPIM will review all concept notes and compile a shortlist. EPIM may propose modifications to the composition of shortlisted consortia as appropriate. Shortlisted consortia will be invited to submit a full project proposal with a project budget of 200,000 EUR. The selected project should run for a timeframe of at least 24 months, starting in January 2020.

Project proposals can be submitted online at https://nef-europe.optimytool.com/en/ until 11 October 2019. You can find more information on how to apply in the following documents:

EPIM Call for Proposals (PDF)
DOC 1: Concept Note Submission Guidelines (PDF)
DOC 2: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Please refer any questions you might have to Stephan Burger, EPIM Programme Officer, at stephan.burger@epim.info.