One year of the new aid agenda: How do we link migration and development?

Linking migration and development is a relatively new approach in Sweden. EMN Sweden, the Migration Studies Delegation (Delmi) and the Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA) organised a round-table discussion to explore what measures are needed to link migration and development in practice. The day focused on sharing experiences from other EU countries and the current situation in Sweden.

Growing interest in collaboration within the aid and development sector led to a second event on 13 March 2025. Representatives from EMN Sweden, Delmi, EBA, the Swedish Migration Agency, the Ministry of Justice, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs gathered to broaden the perspective on the issue. The workshop is a follow-up to a previous round-table discussion organised in December 2024 following a new strategy for Sweden’s global development cooperation in the areas of migration, return and voluntary repatriation.

European perspective

What does closer cooperation between migration and development entail, and what lessons can we learn from other European countries – Denmark, Germany and Belgium – with experience in the fields of aid and migration? At present, these three countries have progressed further in the coordination process than Sweden.

Migration policy in Denmark has long been characterised by the overarching goal of reducing migration. Various types of resources – project funding from international organisations and government grants – form the basis of the reformed portfolio within aid and migration policy. Challenges have been identified, and evaluations and follow-ups will continue until 2029. In summary, Denmark aims to increase its influence and active engagement in development cooperation through the funding of projects in partnership with major international organisations, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

Germany’s previous reintegration programme (2017–2023) focused on labour market integration in the country of origin through counselling, vocational training and skills development, including entrepreneurship support for returnees. Today, a “European approach” is applied, and Germany implements initiatives through a broad network of actors from the public sector, the business community, diaspora groups and international organisations, among others.

The Belgian strategy for return and reintegration focuses on building sustainable solutions. Effective collaboration is so important because reintegration does not necessarily follow voluntary return. The Flanders region has been highlighted as a good example for its efforts to involve self-employed people in the work of connecting diasporas and labour mobility in a broader perspective.

Group discussions

In various groups, participants discussed, for example, synergies between migration and aid policies with a view to meeting the new objectives in this area. The discussions emphasised the importance of exchanging experiences and cooperation to promote development both nationally and in partner countries.

Theories of change. Here the theme was how interventions can lead to desired outcomes. This will likely require the formulation of various theories, linked in turn to different migration and development policy objectives based on geographical, as well as short- and long-term perspectives.

Cooperation. Swedish authorities and other actors need to find better forms of cooperation, which would facilitate the sharing of information and exchange of experience. Cooperation must have a concrete purpose to yield effective results.

Ownership of the new aid agenda is important. This is particularly true of local buy-in regarding capacity-building in third countries in relation to return and reintegration.

Next steps

There is considerable interest in the new aid agenda and the development of new forms of cooperation. Discussions are therefore continuing, and a new round of round-table discussions, or other activities, are being planned.

All images in this news item were taken by Adelina Dankova, unless otherwise stated.