A stronger involvement of cities and civil society organisations in EU funding is an essential part of an EU migration policy that builds on human rights. A number of cities and municipalities all over Europe have already declared their readiness to welcome migrants and refugees. What these cities need are the resources to finance reception, housing and inclusion, as well as additional investments into community building.
In order to stimulate a positive welcoming dynamic of cities in Europe the financing should include a concrete “overhead” for the cities’ own development needs. This would encourage broad social support in undertaking the long-lasting process of arrivals in the cities.
Cities play a fundamental role in refugee reception and uphold European values and law even when their national governments at times do not, but they also need the financial resources to do so.How could cities take a stand for direct funding from EU institutions and have a voice on the way in which funds are distributed and managed at the national and regional level?
In this panel we analyze the obstacles that cities are currently facing in regards to EU funding and we discuss proposals and good practices as an example for a concrete strategy for the future.