Ecorys to Lead Evaluation of EU Migration Support Programmes in Morocco

Ecorys will support the European Commission (DG NEAR) with an evaluation project in Morocco. The project, called “Evaluation of Two Budget Support Programmes in the Field of Migration,” will focus on assessing the effectiveness and impact of two major EU-funded initiatives with a combined budget of € 252 million. These programmes were designed to support Morocco’s efforts in managing irregular migration and promoting sustainable migration governance.

Background

Morocco faces several challenges regarding migration. The country has been working to align its regulations with the European acquis as part of the EU-Morocco partnership. However, relations between the EU and Morocco experienced a freeze from 2016 to 2019 due to a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which excluded Western Sahara from any economic agreement between the two entities. Despite the resumption of bilateral relations in 2019, Morocco continues to grapple with issues such as combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking, enhancing integrated border management, and raising awareness among youth about the risks of irregular migration. The EU has initiated budgetary support programs to address these challenges and support Moroccan institutions to strengthen their capacities and policies.

Our work

Our evaluation will assess the performance of the EU programmes and help shape future EU support for Morocco’s migration policies by analysing previous experiences to offer insights for future budget support programs for the 2025-2027 cycle. It will identify key sectors for improvement, strengthen Morocco’s institutional capacity, and ensure a rights-based approach to migration management. The evaluation will explore topics such as countering human trafficking, preventing corruption, and protecting vulnerable groups, providing actionable steps for progress in Morocco’s migration policies.

Stakeholders

The results of the evaluation will help inform key stakeholders, including the EU Delegation to Morocco, DG NEAR, the European External Action Service (EEAS), and Moroccan national authorities such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of the Interior. Other involved institutions include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, the Ministry of Justice, the Presidency of the Public Ministry (PMP), and the Ministry of Solidarity and Social Inclusion.

This project reinforces Ecorys’ commitment to promoting evidence-based policy and practice, supporting international cooperation, and contributing to the development of sustainable solutions in global migration management. The evaluation will be a vital resource for both European and Moroccan stakeholders in navigating the complex challenges of migration governance in the years to come.

For more information, reach out to Ignacio Garcia.