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Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees


Today, most migrants and refugees find protection and opportunities in cities, and cities are at the forefront of fostering inclusive communities. The Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees al-lows for cities’ innovative ideas to foster migrants’ contribution to the sustainable development of their host cities. The project follows the IC strategy’s thematic priority on migration, strengthening cooperation with local actors, and builds on SDCs leading engagement in urban migration.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Migration
Employment & economic development
Governance
Migration generally (development aspects and partnerships)
Urban development
Decentralisation
01.12.2024 - 31.12.2027
 CHF  990’000
The project in brief
Background

Cities are the primary destinations for migrants and refugees seeking safety, protection and opportunities. Mayors worldwide are stepping up to meet the needs of new residents—providing solutions in housing, healthcare, and employment—while unlocking migrants' potential and prosperity.

City governments face systemic financial barriers that prevent them from delivering solutions at scale. The Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees (GCF) was created to channel funding to city governments to realise their projects, strengthening inclusion of migrants. The GCF will relaunch in December 2024 with a new funding round. The relaunch includes increased financial and technical support to grantees, and new capacity-building programs to maximize local impact and sustainability. The Mayors Migration Council (MMC) will broker partnerships between funders, cities, and technical experts, and test more ambitious, city-led solutions at the nexus with key issues such as climate change, economic inclusion, and early childhood development.
Objectives Inclusion of migrants and refugees in cities in lower-middle income countries
Target groups

Direct: Migrants and refugees living in cities and ur-ban areas, city actors, notably city authorities

Indirect: members of host communities in vulnerable situations
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Skills and competencies of city actors to design and implement inclusive projects enhanced.

Outcome 2: Access to basic services, protection and socio-economic inclusion for migrants and refugees in cities improved.
Results

Expected results:  

  • GCF 2.0 is supporting 7 cities with high quality project proposals
  • strong relations with and increased capacities of city actors for the implementation the projects
  • community engagement plans ensuring the voice of migrants and refugees


Results from previous phases:   The GCF in its first funding round (not supported by SDC) raised USD 8 million to support 28 city projects in 22 countries, with over 25,000 people directly served.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
  • Other international or foreign NGO North

Implementing partner
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisers (RPA) as fiscal sponsor of the Mayors Migration Council (MMC)

Coordination with other projects and actors

Global: Synergies with the global programme “Strengthening Systems of Secondary Cities”

Bilateral: coordination depending on the city grant-ees to be explored in cooperation with geographic desks and Swiss representations.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    990’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    990’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   990’000
  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    OTHER MULTISECTOR
    GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Facilitation of orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility
    Urban development and management
    Decentralisation and support to subnational government (incl. accountability)
    Cross-cutting topics The project also supports partner organisation improvements
    Aid Type Project and programme contribution
    Project number

    7F11498

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Last update 29.04.2024