This snapshot provides examples of well-developed areas in the migration governance structures of the District of Medellín (Colombia) as well as other areas with potential for further development, as identified through the assessment of the six spheres of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGIs). These spheres include the rights of migrants, a comprehensive governance approach, partnerships, the socio-economic well-being of migrants, mobility in crisis situations, and safe, orderly, and regular migration.

Click on the icons in the wheel to explore the key findings.

The MGI Initiative is a migration policy analysis program led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with support from Economist Impact, the economic research unit of The Economist magazine. It is funded by IOM member states.

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

• Health care for the migrant population is included in the Medellin Future Development Plan 2020-2023 (2020), with special consideration for the reality experienced by this population. 
• The Mayor's Office of Medellín has established in circulars that "the right to education must always be guaranteed for all children and adolescents", even in the presence of possible administrative barriers.
• The Territorial Partnerships for the Management of International Migration programme and the 123 Social Line - Migrant Module provide mechanisms to support foreigners in accessing the district's public services.
• Through the Special Group for Ethnic and Migrant Affairs of the Medellin Ombudsman’s Office, since 2020, services have been provided to monitor, assist, protect, defend, and guarantee the rights of migrants.

Areas with potential for further development:

• Although municipal subsidy policies for access to housing include the migrant population, there is no specific line for this population at the local level. 
• The development of strategies to combat hate crimes, violence, xenophobia and discrimination against refugees and migrants is an area with potential for further development.

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

• The Department of Social Inclusion, Family and Human Rights is responsible for designing and implementing policies for populations sectors in Medellín, including the migrant population. 
• Municipal officials in the metropolitan area of the Aburrá Valley receive training in cultural sensitivity and migration issues.
• The Mayor's Office of Medellín provides information on migrants' rights, responsibilities, and access to public services.
• The Medellín Centro Intégrate provides referral services to assist migrants in regularization processes, promotes access to social and employment programs, and provides orientation for women and the LGBTI population.

Areas with potential for further development:

• At the time of writing the report, the final steps are being taken to formulate a local migration policy.
• There is no formal body at the local level for consulting civil society and the migrant population in the implementation of public policies.

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

• In 2021 and 2022, the Mayor's Office of Medellin has linked the academic sector as a key actor in the first phase of institutional construction of the Public Policy for Migration Management. 
• Medellin is part of two international networks for the exchange of knowledge about migration: the Euro-Latin American Alliance for Cooperation between Cities and Mercociudades.
• Medellin actively collaborates on migration issues with the United Nations and international cooperation agencies through the Antioquia Interagency Group for Mixed Migration Flows.

Areas with potential for further development:

• The Mayor's Office of Medellin collaborates on an ad hoc basis with the private sector and social partners in the implementation of strategies and programs related to migration. 
• The government collaborates on an ad hoc basis with migrant associations in setting the local policy agenda.
• The development of bilateral programs for cooperation on migration issues between cities in the same country and at the international level is an area with potential for further development.

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

• The Mayor's Office of Medellin implements measures to promote gender equality in the workforce for the general population, including migrants. 
• The Subcommittee on Migrant and Refugee Women trains public officials on regulations, rights, and routes for attention and protection, analyzes these routes and follows up on their implementation.
• At the local level, national guidelines are implemented to promote and facilitate the inclusion of migrants in the labor force.
• The Mayor's Office of Medellin has programs to support foreigners engaged in entrepreneurship.

Areas with potential for further development:

• There are no local-level assessments to monitor labor supply and the effects of immigration and emigration on the labor market. 
• Although local measures have been developed to promote the employability of migrants, such as the organization of job fairs, there is no strategy to attract migrant workers according to labour market needs. 

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

• The Municipal Disaster Risk Management Plan of Medellin, Antioquia 2015–2030 (2017) is the localinstrument promoting the city’s territorial development and risk management, in coordination with theDevelopment Plan and the Land Management Plan.
• The Disaster Risk Management Plan and the Municipal Emergency Response Strategy, adopted in 2015, set forth specific provisions to reduce the social impact of the massive mobilization of people as a result of risks or in an emergency or disaster.
• The Mayor's Office of Medellín has communication systems in place to receive and provide information on crisis developments. 
• Medellin has direct agreements with Consulates when emergencies arise with its nationals.
• The Mayor's Office of Medellín has a gender-sensitive emergency response strategy.

Areas with potential for further development:

• The Municipal Disaster Risk Management Plan does not refer to the specific needs of displaced persons, refugees or migrants.

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

• The Mayor's Office of Medellin has specific mechanisms to guarantee migrants' access to justice, including public security. 
• The Antioquia and Medellin Territorial Anti-trafficking in Persons Committee aims, inter alia, to trigger local action and venues for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of the crime of trafficking in persons, and for the protection and assistance of victims.
• The Antioquia and Medellin Territorial Anti-trafficking in Persons Committee developed theTerritorial Action Plan 2021–2024 with technical advice from the Ministry of the Interior. The Plan addresses the action lines and approaches of the National Anti-trafficking in Persons Strategy (2016).

Areas with potential for further development:

• While activities exist to promote the reintegration of migrants, the Mayor’s Office does not have a formal programme focused on facilitating reintegration. 
• Local authorities have only developed ad hoc measures to combat the labor exploitation of refugees and migrants.