First Diversity and Economy Round table

Bucharest (Romania) 2-3 June 2014

The City of Bucharest hosted the first Diversity and Economy Round Table in the framework of the Diversity in the Economy and Local Integration project (DELI), to discuss the establishment of the local partnership platform in support of migrant entrepreneurship and diversity-friendly economic strategies.

Fifty participants - representatives from the local and national public authorities, several embassies, as well as business representatives and civil society attended the round table. This first Round Table was the official launch for the DELI project in Bucharest and included discussions with local and national experts on the issues of economic integration of migrants, development of migrant business and opening-up of procurement policies to diverse entrepreneurs.

The representatives of the Migration Policy Group presented the project tools that will be made available to local authorities for measuring and evaluating progress in developing support mechanisms for migrant entrepreneurs and promoting equality standards in public procurement.

Participants agreed that there is a need for greater involvement of local authorities in shaping and implementing integration policies for migrants and confirmed their interest and motivation in implementing partnership initiatives on collaborative basis.

The DELI project will work to develop quality management standards and self-assessment tools for local governments and other relevant stakeholders to map and understand existing gaps and challenges in implementing strategies that support migrant entrepreneurship and diversity procurement. The tools will set a baseline and develop status reports for cities and municipalities that have committed to supporting migrants' economic integration.
With the assistance of the Council of Europe and Migration Policy Group, and using the questionnaires designed in the early phase of the project, cities will conduct self-assessment reviews. Building on the gaps identified and recommendations made throughout the review process, the identification of follow up activities will help local governments to incorporate support to migrant entrepreneurship in the local planning processes.
The second Diversity and Economy Round Table in Bucharest will take place 13-14 January 2015.