Joint Migration and Development Initiatives - Harnessing the Potential of Migration for Development by Reinforcing its Local Dimension in Nepal (JMDI)

The JMDI reflects the acceptance of and growing interest in the strong links between Migration and Development (M&D) and aims to support M&D actors to effectively harness the potential of migration for development. IOM Nepal implemented the second phase of Joint Migration and Development Initiative entitled “Harnessing the Potential of Migration for Development by Reinforcing its Local Dimension in Nepal” from 2013-2016. The program was led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the IOM, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) with the funding from the European Commission and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. JMDI supported the upscaling of two locally led migration and development projects in Nepal: (i) Safer Remittances and Improved Livelihoods (SRIL) and; (ii) Sustainable Local Development by Promoting Local Tourism through the Homestay by Migrants and their Families (HOST) with two partner organizations, Oxfam and Asian Human Rights and Culture Development Forum (Asian Forum) respectively.  Both of these projects have contributed to the local development of the territories involved through the implementation of innovative practices based on a multi-stakeholder and integral local governance approach to migration. The SRIL project managed to foster the economic empowerment of migrants and over 2,500 of their families through the promotion of safer and more productive use or remittances. While the HOST project, has enhanced rural development through the establishment of homestay tourist services with families of migrants that have been supported through the diaspora abroad.