On 14 and 15 April 2026, the MPF team will bring together senior policymakers, practitioners and partners in Brussels to celebrate the first ten years of the MPF with the event “Enabling Partnerships - A decade of the Migration Partnership Facility".
Established in 2016 to support the External Dimension of EU Migration and Asylum Policy, the MPF has grown into a key instrument advancing cooperation and capacity among EU Member States and partner countries. The two-part anniversary event will recognise these achievements while offering a platform to examine what lies ahead as the MPF enters a new strategic phase.
A decade of innovation and impact
Initially created as a European Union funding mechanism for joint initiatives between EU Member States and partner countries, the MPF has broadened its role considerably over the past decade. It now supports a wide portfolio of activities—from technical assistance and border management to dialogue facilitation, knowledge-sharing and labour mobility partnerships.
Through EU financing instruments such as the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) and Internal Security Fund (ISF), the MPF has helped to incubate and implement nearly 100 projects that advance more coherent approaches to migration governance and foster practical cooperation between institutions.
The anniversary event not only celebrates these accomplishments but also reinforces the MPF’s position as a laboratory for project incubation and new ideas —a living mechanism that brings together innovation, evidence and partnership-building to shape effective migration policy and programming.
In highlighting the ability of the MPF to adapt to changing circumstances, Dr Jennifer Tangney, Senior Programme Coordinator said, “The MPF has grown into a true ecosystem; flexible, interconnected and able to absorb new priorities as they emerge. Whether piloting innovative labour mobility schemes or strengthening border management and governance, the Facility provides a space where ideas become practice, and where cooperation can expand organically through new initiatives and partnerships.”
Panel Reflections: past lessons and future direction
After an opening networking event on 14 April, on 15 April participants will hear from MPF grantees, EU representatives and international partners as they reflect on the MPF’s contributions and the emerging priorities shaping the external dimension.
Discussions will explore how partnership approaches spanning border management, migration governance and labour mobility among others, have enabled EU Member States and partner countries to translate shared objectives into practical action, including experiences from MPF initiatives such as Visa Capacity Building in Bosnia Herzegovina (VCBB), Migration Management Diploma Programme (MMDP) and Digital Explorers, illustrating how mutual trust, policy alignment and institutional strengthening have played a role in achieving sustainable results.
Looking to the future: MPF’s enhanced role in facilitating cooperation
Looking ahead, other panels will examine the implications of new EU policy developments, including the Pact on Migration and Asylum, as well as upcoming instruments such as the EU Talent Pool, ETIAS, EES and other initiatives tackling smuggling and enhancing security, alongside broader questions about future cooperation needs in a world of shifting geopolitical pressures.
Collectively, these discussions aim to inform how the MPF can continue to support responsive, forward‑looking partnerships that uphold fundamental rights and serve the interests of both EU and partner countries.
Beyond the first decade: continuity and innovation through targeted support
As it enters its second decade, the MPF remains committed to fostering a cooperative environment where shared challenges can be addressed through trust‑based partnerships, innovative solutions and evidence‑driven policy dialogue.
A new Call for Proposals, designed to shape the next wave of cooperation, will be announced during the event, underlining the Facility’s ongoing commitment to adapting to evolving needs whilst fostering innovative partnerships.
Other notable recent additions to MPF’s portfolio include supporting the set-up of the European Legal Gateway Office – India, an initiative that aims to facilitate safe, legal, and well-informed migration and mobility between India and Member States of the European Union (EU) in the ICT sector. More initiatives related to Smuggling of Migrants will be announced soon, joining an ever-growing range of projects and initiatives to support long-lasting partnerships.
Related Links
Find out more about VCBB, MMDP and Digital Explorers on our MPF Projects webpage.