Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how the GFMD Civil Society Mechanism (GFMD CSM), hosted by the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) (“we”, “us”, or “our”), uses cookies and similar technologies on the website www.gfmdcivilsociety.org (the “Website”).
We use cookies to ensure our Website functions properly, to understand how visitors use it, and to improve your browsing experience.
1. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently and to provide information to the site owners.
Cookies can be “session cookies” (which are deleted when you close your browser) or “persistent cookies” (which remain on your device for a certain period or until you delete them).
2. Types of Cookies We Use
We use the following types of cookies on our Website:
a. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the operation of the Website and enable you to navigate and use its features (e.g., access secure areas or fill out forms).
Without these cookies, certain parts of the Website may not function properly.
Examples:
- Session management cookies
- Security or authentication cookies
Legal basis: Our legitimate interest in operating a functional website (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR / Article 31 FADP).
b. Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect information about how visitors use our Website — for example, which pages are visited most often and if they receive error messages. This helps us improve how the Website works.
We may use Google Analytics or similar tools to gather anonymous statistical information about site usage.
If analytics tools are used, your IP address may be anonymised before storage or analysis.
Legal basis: Your consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR / Article 31 FADP).
c. Functionality Cookies
These cookies allow the Website to remember your preferences (such as language settings or form inputs) to provide a more personalised experience.
Legal basis: Your consent or our legitimate interest in providing user-friendly features.
d. Third-Party Cookies
Some of our pages may contain content or links from third parties (e.g., embedded videos, social media buttons, event registration forms).
These third parties may set their own cookies when you interact with their content.
We do not control these cookies and recommend reviewing the privacy and cookie policies of those third-party providers.
Examples:
- YouTube (video embeds)
- X/Twitter, Bluesky Facebook, or LinkedIn (social sharing buttons)
- Event management platforms (e.g., Eventbrite)
3. How We Obtain Your Consent
When you first visit our Website, a cookie banner will appear asking you to consent to the use of non-essential cookies (analytics, functionality, or third-party).
You may:
- Accept all cookies,
- Reject non-essential cookies, or
- Customise your preferences.
You can change your preferences at any time by adjusting your browser settings or revisiting the cookie banner.
4. Managing Cookies in Your Browser
Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can modify your settings to block or delete cookies.
Please note that if you disable certain cookies, parts of our Website may not function correctly.
Here are links to manage cookie settings in major browsers:
5. Retention Period
Cookies are stored for different periods depending on their purpose:
- Session cookies – deleted when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies – remain on your device until they expire or you delete them manually.
We review cookie retention periodically to ensure compliance with data-protection standards.
6. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, our data-processing practices, or the cookies we use.
The revised version will be published on this page with the updated “Last updated” date.
7. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact:
GFMD Civil Society Mechanism (GFMD CSM)
Hosted by the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC)
1, rue de Varembé
P.O. Box 96, 1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Phone: +41 22 919 10 20
Email: gfmdcivilsociety@icmc.net
Last Updated: November 3, 2025