15th GFMD Summit
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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On Friday, 11 April 2025, the Colombian Deputy Minister of Multilateral Affairs, Mauricio Jaramillo, confirmed, via an interview with ‘La W-Radio’, that the 15th GFMD Summit location has changed from Barranquilla to Riohacha.
Additionally, on Monday, 14 April 2025, the GFMD Secretariat officially confirmed that Riohacha, in the department of La Guajira, Colombia, will be the new host location for the 15th GFMD Summit. They also announced that the summit will now take place during the first week of September 2025.
Considering this, we have incorporated a few updates received from the Colombian Chair of the Forum into this FAQ.
Please note that the information presented here is dynamic and subject to change.
New Questions
Civil Society Process:
How will the changes in dates and location affect the Civil Society Process?
Given the updated timeline, we will be adjusting the delegation selection process. This includes temporarily pausing the current delegation selection process while our team develops a revised timeline. As soon as we have more details, including the new timelines for Delegation Preparation, we will share them through our usual channels and update the FAQ accordingly.
Considering the participation requirements for joining the delegation, will any additional activities be organised as part of the “Road to Colombia” Civil Society Process?
We are in the early stages of planning, and this includes organising additional activities for both global and Colombian civil society organisations. The aim is to broaden opportunities for engagement and increase eligibility for those who may not have had the chance to participate in the Civil Society Process before April 2025. Further details will be shared as plans are confirmed.
Delegation:
I have submitted an EOI / Nomination form, will my application be processed or do I need to submit a new one?
All EOI submissions made by the deadline (April 3rd for EOI and April 8th for the Nomination Form) are currently under review and evaluation based on the eligibility criteria, as well as the principles of regional, organisational, and gender balance. We cannot confirm any delegates until we receive further details from the Chair regarding the size of the civil society delegation.
Will there be a new round of applications for Expressions of Interest (EOI)?
Yes. A new round of EOI will be opened specifically for these two groups ONLY:
- Civil society representatives who DID NOT previously submit an EOI but have attended/registered to attend the additional civil society activities taking place in May.
- Civil society representatives who have attended GFMD CSM activities prior to May 2025 but did not submit an EOI. If you cannot find the link to link to the EOI please send us any email at gfmdcivilsociety@icmc.net.
Please note that the Expression of Interest process is now officially closed.
I have attended past GFMD activities, but I haven’t submitted an EoI. How can I express my interest in being part of the civil society delegation for the September Summit?
If you haven’t yet submitted an Expression of Interest and are eligible but would like to join the civil society delegation for the September 2025 GFMD Summit, please check your inbox (including your spam/junk folders) for any emails sent between 28 March and 9 April 2025 with the subject line:
- “Expression of Interest Form for the 15th GFMD CS delegation is now open!” or
- “¡Ya está abierto el formulario de expresión de interés para la 15.ª delegación de la sociedad civil del FMMD!”
Those emails contain the link to the EoI form.
If you are unable to find the email or access the link, feel free to contact us at gfmdcivilsociety@icmc.net and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Does the new round of applications indicate that there are additional seats for the CS delegation?
No. While we have not yet received information regarding the total number of seats allocated to Civil Society, the new round of applications does not indicate that more seats will be available. This is only a way to make the process more inclusive for people who learned about it after March 28th.
When will we have confirmation on details such as the delegation size and conference venue?
At this moment, we do not have any information regarding delegation size and conference venue. Once the GFMD Secretariat confirms these details with the Colombian Chair, we will share them via the FAQ and other channels.
Am I eligible for a DSA (Daily Subsistence Allowance) for the 15th GFMD Summit? I’ve heard some delegates received emails about reimbursements.
Only a limited number of delegates were eligible for DSA due to tight funding. For this Summit, DSA was offered exclusively to delegates who met all of the following criteria: Based in (and residing in) the Global South; and Affiliated with an organisation whose annual budget is under USD 100,000.
To maximise Colombian civil society participation (which represented roughly 28% of the overall delegation) within the available budget, the CSM covered flights and accommodation for Colombian and Colombian Diaspora civil society delegates, but did not provide them with a DSA.
Emails about possible reimbursements/DSA were sent only to delegates who met the above eligibility criteria and within the set deadlines. If you did not receive that email, you were not eligible for DSA under this policy.
Summit:
Where in Colombia is Riohacha?
Riohacha is a coastal city in northern Colombia. It’s the capital of the La Guajira department, located along the Caribbean Sea and near the border with Venezuela. The easiest way to travel there is through a domestic / national flight from Bogotá.
Will the deadlines for the GFMD official side events and marketplace of ideas change?
The deadline to submit applications for Side Events and the Marketplace of Ideas has been extended to Friday, 30 May 2025.
Has the deadline for the Local Organising Committee (LOC) been extended?
Yes, the deadline for applications for the Colombian LOC has been extended to 15 May 2025. All Colombian Civil Society Organisations and Colombian Diaspora Organisations are invited to apply. For more information and links, please email us at gfmdcivilsociety@icmc.net.
Some of the questions below have been updated to reflect the information received by the Colombian Chair to the 15th GFMD.
Delegation Selection Process:
What is the size of the civil society delegation for the 15th GFMD Summit?
The Civil Society Mechanism is still waiting on the final delegation size as allocated by the GFMD Chair. We will update this as soon as the numbers are confirmed. As of now, we are operating a nomination process that can continue while the final numbers are confirmed.
I am interested in being part of the delegation, how can I apply to attend the 15th GFMD Summit?
If you are interested in attending the 15th GFMD Summit, you need to submit an expression of interest. The form will be circulated only to those who have attended past civil society activities as part of the 2024-2025 preparatory process. This means there is no open application process for those who have never engaged in the 2024-2025 civil society activities led by the GFMD Civil Society Mechanism (CSM).
Anyone who has been active in the process, including members and focal points of the International Steering Committee (ISC), Local Organising Committee, and Working Groups, must submit an expression of interest / nomination to be considered for the Summit.
Please be aware that the CSM secretariat does not make the final decisions regarding Summit attendees. Like all significant decisions, this is subject to an approval process by the ISC. It is important to note that all nominations must meet the eligibility criteria (outlined below) to be considered for the delegation.
Please refer to the question, “Will there be a new round of applications for Expressions of Interest?” for more information on new applications.
What are the criteria for all potential delegates?
Anyone expressing interest or being nominated for consideration as part of the civil society delegation for the 15th GFMD Summit must have been an active contributor and participant in the Civil Society 15th GFMD process. This means they must have registered for and attended one or more of the following:
- July 2024 Programme Consultations
- October 2024 First Thematic Dialogues
- February 2025 Second Thematic Dialogues
- April 2025 Third Thematic Dialogues
- May 2025 Fourth Thematic Dialogues (Dates TBC)*
This is a new criterion established in response to a majority demand and reflections by the delegation of the 14th GFMD last January, which called for the inclusion of newer voices, as well as ensuring that all delegate members are committed and active representatives at the Summit. This includes activities such as demonstrating a commitment to representing and advancing the civil society collective agenda, organising and proactively participating in bilaterals, side events and meetings, and being active contributors to the civil society preparatory process and the Summit sessions.
*We are currently in the early stages of planning additional activities—targeted both at global and Colombian civil society organisations—to expand opportunities for participation and support those who were unable to engage before April 2025. These activities aim to increase eligibility while maintaining a strong, inclusive process. More details will be shared soon.
How is the delegation decided?
The CSM Secretariat will gather all nominations and expressions of interest. These expressions of interest will be forwarded to the relevant Working Group, which will make recommendations to the ISC. While the CSM Secretariat will ensure that the principles of regional, gender, organisational, and thematic diversity are respected, the decision-making body of the CSM, the ISC, will deliberate and ultimately approve the final delegation.
What is the deadline for nominations?
The deadline for nominations and expressions of interest closed on 28 May, 23:59 CEST.
Can I nominate more than 1 representative from the same organisation/network?
Organisations and networks may nominate multiple representatives from their own organisations and networks; however, it is crucial that the final delegation is both strategic (comprised of proactive contributors and representatives committed to the civil society collective agenda), and reflects the diversity of civil society. This diversity will be considered across organisational, regional, gender-sensitive, and thematic dimensions, while also ensuring representation from grassroots and local levels. All organisations and networks submitting expressions of interest and/or nominations should keep in mind the significance of regional balance, gender balance, and representation from grassroots and local levels.
How can I request financial assistance?
If you require financial assistance to attend the 15th GFMD Summit, please indicate that in the designated question within the Nomination/Expressions of Interest Form.
The Chair has not allocated any funding for civil society participation in the Summit. The GFMD CSM will have to rely on its limited resources to offer full and partial sponsorship. Due to its very limited resources, the CSM will be able to fund less than 30% of the civil society delegation, and it will prioritise gender, regional, and organisational balance in the allocation of financial assistance.
I did not receive a confirmation after submitting my Expression of Interest. Could you let me know if you got my submission?
Please ensure that you clicked the ‘Submit’ button after completing the form, as your application will remain incomplete otherwise.
Kindly note that you will NOT receive an automatic confirmation upon submission. However, if you have completed the form and clicked ‘Submit’ at the end, you can rest assured that we have received your submission. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual confirmations.
Summit Information:
When will the 15th GFMD Summit take place in Colombia?
The 15th GFMD Summit will be held in Riohacha, Colombia, during the first week of September, with dates to be confirmed.
What languages / translation will be available for the Summit?
The official languages for the GFMD are English, French, and Spanish. Accordingly, we encourage all nominations and expressions of interest from civil society representatives who are proficient in one of these languages. At present, we do not have further details on whether interpretation in all these languages will be available for all sessions of the Summit. This will be updated here as soon as information is confirmed.
I would like to host a side event; what is the criteria?
Please consult the official side events guidelines from the GFMD organisers and Chair: 15th Summit_Open Call for Side Events.pdf
Submit the application through this link by Friday, 30 May 2025: 15th GFMD Summit Side Event Application Form
Please ensure that you email the CSM Secretariat to notify us of your application to host a side event. This is to ensure that all side events co-hosted by civil society are communicated to the entire delegation, enabling us to provide support and ensuring our awareness during the delegation selection process.
Also, note that the CSM Secretariat does not have the resources to provide financial or technical support for side events. However, we are happy to share any information we may have, for example, on interpreters that other CSOs are using.
Will there be an exhibition space at the Summit?
Yes, as in previous years, there will be a Marketplace of Ideas, a hub for showcasing initiatives on migration and development.
Please consult the official Marketplace of Ideas guidelines from the GFMD organisers and Chair: 15th Summit_Open Call for Marketplace.pdf
Submit the application through this link by Friday, 30 May 2025: 15th GFMD Summit GFMD Marketplace of Ideas Application Form
Please ensure that you notify the CSM Secretariat if you have applied for exhibition space, so that we can provide support accordingly.
Please note that we do not have any additional information at this stage on the format and organization of the 15th GFMD Summit, we will keep the civil society community informed about any updates.