Dear members and friends of ADEPT,
The Africa-Europe Diaspora Development Platform is celebrating its fifth year as an AISBL (an international non-profit association under Belgian law). I would like to invite you to join the Board of Directors and staff in celebrating our successes and our progress together.
Before becoming a non-profit organisation, ADEPT went through a six year incubation period.
Six years during which ADEPT fostered a clear objective: to improve and strengthen the capacity and impact of African Diaspora organisations involved in development activities in continental Africa.
To achieve this, the organisation worked on providing access to a series of information services, training options, collaborative exchanges, capacity building opportunities as well as positioning strategies for the diaspora on both policy and strategic issues related to migration and development.
On November 3, 2016, the under French law operating association “Forum of International Migration Solidarity Organisations” (Forum des Organisations de Solidarité Internationale issues des Migrations)“, or “FORIM“, the under UK law limited liability company “African Foundation for Development”, “AFFORD“, and the under Dutch law non-profit association, “African Diaspora Policy Centre“(ADPC), constituted AISBL ADEPT’s articles of association.
Today, ADEPT has become a network of more than 200 European-based African diaspora organisations and individuals active in EU and AU member states, as well as in Norway, Switzerland and the UK. This network and its members allow ADEPT to support development projects in 34 African countries..
At the dawn of a new era for the platform, I would like to share some of progress with you. We will also look at what we haveachieved over the past few months thanks to your commitment.
Actions and initiatives
The pandemic generated by the covid 19 crisis in 2021 forced us for, the first ever time. to move the13th edition of one of our flagship events, the DDD ,online.
Diaspora Dialogue on Development events have been held in seven European countries and in three African cities to date. They are meetings that focus on three main elements. They aim is todevelop dialogue between development actors who aim to meet SDG targets. They provide , professional training sessions on the SDGs and they facilitate networking for collaborative action and better development impact.
For this edition, we have secured institutional support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Bank, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
2021 also saw the first edition of the “Diaspora Youth Talk Award”, a pitch competition rewarding innovative and inspiring projects undertaken by young people from the African diaspora in Europe. More than 20 participants from all over Europe participated. This action reflected a clear desire among the youth to value to field actions more. ADEPT supports this kind of dynamic endeavour!
At the end of 2021, ADEPT attained the status of “special consultative” from the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC). This status places ADEPT as a participatory actor of change and co-creator of collective solutions to advance sustainable development.ADEPT will continue to represent African Diaspora organisations and individuals in voicing their concerns as a member of ECOSOC.
Partners and support
ADEPT continues and strengthens its privileged relationship with the African Union (AU), where it officially represents civil society through the Citizens an Diaspora Directorate ( CIDO). The Citizens & Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) is the department responsible for leading the AU’sengagement with non-state actors through Diaspora & Civil Society Engagement.
Outside the continent, ADEPT’s supporters include Switzerland (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation – SDC), the Netherlands, Germany (GIZ), and the European Union itself through the ICMPD – International Centre for Migration Policy Development.
It is worth noting that the EU has been a key partner of ours ever sincethe very beginning.
ADEPT is also a member of the Civil Society Global Action Committee (GC) on Migration. As such ADEPT toopursues GC members’ objectives:
- Sharing information on strategy and on global migration policy and governance.
- Developing collective and coherent civil society action.
- Providing increased and democratized access for civil society engagement at all levels of global migration policy and governance.
Perspectives
Here you can find a non-exhaustive list of past accomplishments.These achievements have been made possible by the vision and constant work of ADEPT members and teams at all levels.
ADEPT wishes to continue its efforts in its 2019 – 2023 strategy, focusing in particular on environmental and sustainable development and the right to water for all.
ADEPT will continue to play an important role in the effective implementation of Goal 19 of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM).
It is about creating the conditions for migrants and diasporas to fully contribute to sustainable development in all countries.
We can be proud of what we have accomplished in such a short time in the complex world of NGOs.
On this day, as we celebrateADEPT’s fifth anniversary, it is essential to remember our five fundamental pillars: good governance, positioning and regaining legitimacy, diversification of ADEPT supporrting funds, recognition, as well as assistance and support to members’ efforts in attaining visibility.
These pillars form the foundation of ADEPT and will serve as guideposts for the organisation’s transition from incubator to consolidation catalyst.
ADEPT’s structural funding ends in December 2022, but its needs are big and ADEPT intends to respond to them by establishing the Grand Diaspora Fund and the ADEPT Academy, two projects that we will set up soon.
Both ADEPT’s Board of Directors and its staff must join forces, now more than ever, and find new sources of funding to continue theirmission of lobbying institutions, and its leadership role with diasporas and the African continent.
Let us remember that ADEPT is above all a network of people, associations, and organisations united for the same cause. Together, we must continue to work to strengthen the visibility and commitment of the diaspora at all international levels, both in and outside Africa.
Brussels 08.11.2022
Alexis Neuberg
President
Watch “ADEPT 5th year Anniversary video” here
