Mayors Unlock $5M for Economic Inclusion and Regular Migration Pathways in Latin America, Call for More Funding

Today, the Mayors of the Americas Task Force on Migration announced an investment of more than $5 million to enable cities to implement bold, city-led solutions that drive economic inclusion and build shared prosperity for migrants and receiving communities across Latin America.

Five Task Force members — Bogotá (Colombia), Cali (Colombia), Manta (Ecuador), Mexico City (Mexico), and Quito (Ecuador) — will receive catalytic financial and technical support to launch programs that expand access to dignified work, pioneer digital ID systems, and unlock regular status for migrants. 

These projects follow a year of collaboration by the Task Force’s members, whose mission is to break through the political gridlock that has slowed national-level responses and to transform the challenges of migration into opportunities, leveraging newcomers’ contributions to strengthen local economies while building safer, more resilient communities.

“This year, the Mayors of the Americas Task Force proved what’s possible when cities lead with urgency and imagination,” said Vittoria Zanuso, Executive Director of Mayors Migration Council. “The inaugural projects show how local innovation can create real economic inclusion and meaningful regular pathways for migrants. We urge national governments, philanthropies, public donors, and international financial institutions to step up and invest in city governments so they can scale up their solutions.”

“At CAF, we know the value of investing in subnational leaders and are proud to be a partner in making the Mayors of the Americas Task Force on Migration’s vision for migrant inclusion a reality,” said Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF -Development Bank of Latin America and Caribbean. “We urge our partners and financial institutions to invest directly in city-driven solutions, maximizing their resources to unlock the full potential of migration for both newcomers and local economies alike.”

Mayors of the Americas Task Force City Projects

From one-stop-shop centers that consolidate essential services and information under one roof, to pioneering digital credentials systems that expand access to jobs, to workforce development programs and partnerships with employers, the selected cities are creating new models for economic inclusion and migration pathways:

Bogotá, Colombia – “Bogotá Recognizes: Building an Inclusive City for All”

Bogotá is transforming the city’s network of service centers into a comprehensive, technology-driven system to improve economic and social services for migrants and host communities. The city will expand its partnerships with private sector employers to provide formal job opportunities and create a system of verifiable digital credentials that make it easier for people to demonstrate their skills, training, and legal status when accessing jobs.

“With ‘Bogotá Recognizes,’ we’re ensuring that every person in Bogotá, including immigrants and returnees, can access livelihoods and services fairly and transparently. We are building a city where inclusion is not just a principle, but a practice.” — Carlos Fernando Galán, Mayor of Bogotá

Cali, Colombia— Digital ID and Job Matching for Migrants

Cali is building a digital employment system for migrants, refugees, returnees, and host communities that verifies credentials and skills, and directly connects participants to employers and jobs. Using open-source technology, the project will create a new model for economic inclusion ready for scale across Colombia or replication in other countries.

“We view migration as a transformative force and are committed to turning it into tangible progress through economic inclusion and social cohesion. Cities like ours are ready to lead by example and implement innovative solutions that inspire regional action.” — Alejandro Eder, Mayor of Cali

Manta, Ecuador — Inclusive Manta for Women Entrepreneurs

Manta is supporting migrant and displaced women in the food and textile sectors to organize into business associations, enabling them to access higher incomes and formal protections, as well as business training, startup capital, and local and digital markets.

“We are turning survival strategies into sustainable economic engines and investing in women and immigrant-led innovation that benefits the entire city.” — Marciana Valdivieso, Mayor of Manta

Mexico City, Mexico – Multi-Purpose System for Human Mobility

Mexico City is launching a network of public services that integrates legal assistance, documentation, social services, and shelters in a unified system that provides quality and compassionate care to migrants and refugees, as well as to host communities. By harmonizing innovation, inclusion, and evidence and data-based management, Mexico City is redefining the governance of urban migration and strengthening access to documentation and formal employment for people on the move.

“Migration is part of the history and daily life of our city. With this new multi-service system, we reaffirm our commitment to the dignity, protection, and inclusion of people on the move who arrive in Mexico City. We want them to be able to fully exercise their rights, participate in the community, contribute to our society, and develop a sense of belonging.” — Clara Brugada, Head of Government of Mexico City

Quito, Ecuador – “House of Human Mobility”

Quito will expand the “House of Human Mobility Without Borders” model to underserved migrant and host communities, establishing a new unit and deploying mobile teams to provide legal guidance, mental health services, and social work in peripheral areas with high barriers to inclusion. The city will combine this initiative with a pioneering Metropolitan Livelihoods Policy for vulnerable people, including those in human mobility.

“Through the expansion of the ‘House of Human Mobility without Borders,’ Quito reaffirms its commitment to inclusive development to provide essential services and create rights-based economic opportunities for vulnerable communities, including people in human mobility.” — Pabel Muñoz, Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Quito.

About the Mayors of the Americas Task Force on Migration

Launched on the sidelines of the 2024 UN General Assembly, the Mayors of the Americas Task Force on Migration unites mayors from major cities across the Americas to implement innovative, city-led migration responses and break through the political gridlock that has slowed national-level responses. The Task Force’s mission is to create a city-led political vision on migration cooperation and support city partnerships and projects to demonstrate city leadership in action and drive momentum. These efforts are supported by the partner organizations of the Mayors of the Americas Task Force on Migration, including the Mayors Migration Council and CAF–Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. The members of the Mayors of the Americas Task Force are:

• Clara Brugada, Governor of Mexico City, Mexico
• Alejandro Eder, Mayor of Cali, Colombia
• Carlos Galán, Mayor of Bogotá, Colombia
• Mike Johnston, Mayor of Denver, United States
• Pabel Muñoz, Mayor of Quito, Ecuador
• Claudio Orrego, Governor of Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
• Cruz Pérez Cuéllar, Municipal President of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
• Marciana Valdivieso, Mayor of Manta, Ecuador