The IOM Development Fund (IDF)

Since 2001 the IOM Development Fund/Developing Capacities in Migration Management (originally named the 1035 Facility) has provided a unique global resource aimed at supporting developing Member States in their efforts to strengthen their migration management capacity. With over 600 projects implemented in more than 115 countries worldwide, the Fund has successfully addressed the capacity building needs of eligible Member States by providing essential "seed funding" for innovative projects.

The Fund is designed to contribute to the harmonization of eligible Member State migration management policies and practices with their overall national development strategy. Priority projects are identified by Member States in coordination with IOM Offices worldwide and include activities that enhance migration management practices and promote humane and orderly migration.

Projects include the following focus areas:

• Counter-trafficking
• Enhancement of inter-governmental dialogue and cooperation
• Labour migration
• Migration and development
• Migration, environment and climate change
• Migration health
• Border management
• Policy and legal framework development
• Research and assessment
• Assisted Voluntary Return and Re-integration (AVRR) on an exceptional basis, for projects focusing on government capacity building activities
   

Emergency operations and migrant return schemes among others are not covered under the Fund.

Eligible Member States can access one of two funding lines and projects range from USD 50,000 to USD 200,000 for national projects and USD 100,000 to USD 300,000 for regional projects. Country eligibility is based on the most recent version of the list of low-income through to upper middle-income economies as designated by the World Bank. Equitable allocation of the funds across regions and within regions remains a core management principle in assessing requests for funding under the Fund. Enquiries and applications are accepted throughout the year.

The Guidelines Section provides further details on the operation of the two funding lines, including eligibility criteria, funding limits, timing and process of decision-making and project tracking.