Strengthening of the Capacity of the Ministry of Communities to Promote Decentralization of Emigration Management in Cabo Verde

In Cabo Verde human mobility and migration continue to shape the country. The Cabo Verdean diaspora (700,000) outnumber the country´s population (494,000 approx.), with the largest diaspora residing in the United States (260,000). As a result, Cabo Verdeans continue to migrate as family members abroad continue to send for their relatives through family reunification process. Being an archipelago of 10 islands (9 being inhabited), it is crucial that local government has the capacity to advise potential migrants, to facilitate the process of diaspora investment, and to support returning migrants in their socio-economic reintegration.

The objective of this project is to contribute to the decentralization of migration management, through the creation of streamlined procedures and data sharing systems between the Ministry of Communities (MOC) and the 22 municipalities of Cabo Verde. The project aims to achieve its objective through three key outcomes:

1. To increase MOC capacity to decentralize and improve emigration management;
2. To reinforce Municipalities’ capacity in managing emigration-related themes through the upgrading of emigrant services at the local level; and
3. To improve information and data systems in order to facilitate information sharing within MOC and between MOC and the Municipalities.