Development aid is increasingly used for migration purposes. Policy objectives are clear: support return and reintegration, and counter irregular migration. Implementation may, however, turn out to be cumbersome given previously untested coalitions and intervention types.
Denmark, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands have each linked migration and development cooperation in different ways. Their experiences offer valuable lessons – not least regarding governance, institutional design, political trade-offs and realistic expectations of what development aid can achieve in the field of migration.
The anthology examines how these linkages have been designed and implemented in practice. It focuses on governance, coordination and results rather than political rhetoric. The central question is not whether migration and development should be linked – that is already happening across Europe – but how such linkages can be managed in a way that is effective, coherent and consistent with core development principles.
The anthology is a joint project between Delmi, EMN Sweden and EBA.
Overarching lessons:
- First, governance is decisive. Whole-of-government coordination is necessary but demanding. Clear mandates, defined responsibilities, and sustained interministerial cooperation are crucial for avoiding fragmentation and internal tensions.
- Second, expectations must be realistic. Development cooperation can strengthen institutions, support reintegration and contribute to long-term stability. It is unlikely, however, to reduce irregular migration rapidly or get immediate increases in returns.
- Third, legitimacy depends on clarity. When migration objectives are embedded within a broader development logic, tensions are easier to manage. When aid is primarily framed as a migration control tool, trade-offs become sharper and risks to coherence increase.