A European Commission evaluation of the European Migration Network (EMN) for the period 2018-2021, published on 29 June 2026, confirms the Network performed effectively, efficiently, and with clear EU added value. The report covers all Member States except Denmark, plus Georgia, Moldova, and Norway as observers, and highlights the EMN's role in providing high-quality, policy-relevant information on migration and asylum to support EU and national policymakers.
The evaluation, submitted to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, and the Committee of the Regions, assesses the EMN under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), finding it cost-effective and financially sustainable. It notes that Georgia and Moldova joined as observers in 2021, while Armenia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Ukraine have expressed interest in joining. The EMN's work aligned with key EU initiatives such as the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the revised EU Blue Card Directive (2021), and the EU action plan against migrant smuggling. Two additional Steering Board meetings were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
involving scientific experts in the Steering Board and tailoring information for the general public. The EMN Service Provider was found efficient, but timeliness of submitting documents needs improvement. Overall, the EMN successfully met its mandate and delivered value, but must better engage scientific experts and communicate with the public.
Stakeholder impact The evaluation has moderate positive impact for EU policymakers and national authorities, who benefit from reliable migration data. For EU taxpayers, the cost-effectiveness under AMIF ensures efficient use of funds. However, the need for better public communication may require additional resources, potentially affecting the EMN's budget. For scientific experts, the call for greater involvement could open new opportunities for collaboration, but also impose additional workload. The EMN Service Provider faces pressure to improve document timeliness, which may require process adjustments.
Institutional follow-up The Commission will consider the evaluation's recommendations in future EMN work programmes. The European Parliament and Council may discuss the findings in relevant committees, potentially influencing the next AMIF programming period.