EPIM Advocacy Workshop, London 2009
Since 2005, 14 foundations have come together through EPIM in a unique cooperative effort to jointly fund European migration organisations, with the goal of building capacity and developing pan-European networks to enhance their ability to influence critical elements of integration policy. Between 2005 and 2011, a total of 3.6 million euro has been allocated through the EPIM programme including 31 grants to 24 grantees – both at European and national level.
See a short interview with EPIM’s former Chair (2009-2010), Ms. Juliet Prager (Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust), given during the Interactive Fair at the Annual General Assembly 2009 of the European Foundation Centre (EFC).
EPIM seeks to do more than just provide financial support. It is also an active partner working closely with its grantees. Activities have included workshops on communications, advocacy, networking, evaluation and impact assessment; joint learning initiatives tailored to the specific needs of groups of grantees; the provision of key information on EU policy developments; and helping grantees to partner with new organisations to extend their reach. For an example of some case studies that highlight this, please click here.
EPIM has 3 strands of activity:
1. Strategic grant-making in 3 focus areas:
- Access to fundamental rights, services and justice for undocumented migrants because they represent one of the most vulnerable groups of migrants.
- Mainstreaming migrants’ voices to involve them in developing and implementing policy as active participants in the governance process and/or public life and/or public realm.
- Strategic use of the media and communications to encourage integration recognising the role of the host community in encouraging and supporting integration. This area is twofold: work on the representation of migrants in the media and on the participation of migrants in the media (e.g. content produced by migrants). The overarching aim is to recognise the role of the media in our societies with regard to portraying diversity issues and fighting discrimination, in order to foster an environment in the host societies that facilitates integration.
2. Networking and capacity building of civil society organisations working in the migration and integration field.
3. Supporting advocacy and policy work of the grantees to influence public policy at the European level and in Member States so that the integration of migrants is better placed on the political agenda across Europe and a broader approach to migration and integration issues is adopted.
