On 16 May 2018, the European Parliament's (EP) Committees on Budget, Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, and Budgetary Control organised a joint hearing on "Assessing the flow of EU migration funding within the Union".

At this occasion, Georgos Kaminis, Mayor of Athens, presented his city's response to having to organise the reception and accommodation of thousands of refugees. Mr Kaminis emphasised that Athens would not have been able to manage the emergency situation of the years 2015 and 2016 without access to community resources, the support from the UNHCR, and the engagement of non-governmental organisations. 

Athens being a member of the Urban Agenda for the EU Partnership on the Inclusion of Migrants and Refugees, Mr Kaminis pointed specifically to the Inclusion Partnership's proposals for better (access to) funding. In line with the Partnership's recommendations, he voiced the need for local authorities to be better involved in the design and distribution of EU migration funding. As the main conclusion of the Partnership cooperation, he identified: "Not more money is needed, but better and more efficient funding".

The EP hearing can be webstreamed here. 

To learn more about the other actions and recommendations, please read the Partnership's full Action Plan.