2025 Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If your city is invited to submit a proposal, please visit the GCF Application Page to access the Proposal Form and Budget Template. The deadline for submission is 5:00PM ET on Friday, June 27, 2025.  

We do not anticipate making extensions. However, city applicants can reach out to fund@mayorsmigrationcouncil.org to share any issues leading to unexpected delays. 

Yes, cities can also access the Proposal Form in French and Spanish by visiting our GCF Application Page.  

Proposals may be submitted in French, Portuguese, or Spanish for translation into English by the MMC. All materials will be reviewed in English and, for selected grantees, all contracting will occur in English. Should additional translation support be required, please inquire with the MMC at fund@mayorsmigrationcouncil.org. 

Proposals will be evaluated by the MMC and an independent Steering Committee based on the criteria included in the GCF 2025 Overview (also available on the GCF Application Page). These include a set of “critical criteria” required for consideration, and a few “additional criteria” which are not a requirement but will help improve the competitiveness of a proposal. 

The MMC intends for cities to benefit from the GCF application process, irrespective of application outcome. To that end, all cities will be invited to one-on-one calls to discuss feedback on their Concept Note and receive guidance on developing their proposal. Cities will be invited via email to sign up for one-on-one calls. 

We encourage all cities to review the Proposal Guidelines and the Concept Note feedback (shared with cities individually) as they develop their proposals. In addition, please feel free to explore the following resources for inspiration and best practices from trusted sources and fellow cities: 

• The Global Cities Fund 2023 Progress Report: shows how the GCF is helping cities meet the urgent needs of their migrant and displaced communities, while building a more sustainable future for all. 

• Call to Local Action for Migrants and Refugees: captures pledges from local and regional governments to implement pragmatic, principled, and people-centered approaches that spearhead and exceed the commitments of global frameworks such as the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the Global Compact on Refugees, as well the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. 

• Municipal Finance for Migrants and Refugees – The State of Play: explores the municipal finance landscape for migration and displacement, discusses the barriers cities face when accessing resources and their mitigation strategies, and puts forward concrete recommendations to unlock a virtuous cycle for financing more inclusive cities. 

• C40-MMC Climate and Migration Task Force 2021-2024 Impact Report: demonstrates that when mayors unite, act and speak with one voice, they have the capacity to set the agenda for others to follow. Mayors can critically contribute with pragmatic solutions to complex policy issues: building resilience in the face of climate risks, welcoming and protecting those who are forced to move due to climate change, and fostering migrants’ and refugees’ economic inclusion, through a green and “just transition”.  

• Good Green Jobs and Labour Migration: Opportunities for Urban Leaders: explores the intersection between the green transition and labour migration, with a local perspective on good green jobs creation. The brief also showcases over 35 innovative city-led actions across five key areas of opportunity, wherein mayors are already leading by example, but where more national and international support is needed to bring positive solutions to scale. Summary for policymakers linked here. 

Once proposals are submitted, the MMC and an independent Steering Committee will review individual submissions and advance applications based on the selection criteria identified in the GCF 2025 Overview. A shortlist of cities will be notified in early August and advanced to the finalist interview stage.  

The MMC regularly issues grants through the GCF. While we have limited funding for the 2025 cohort, we will consider strong proposals for future funding rounds of the GCF.  

The primary grant contact should be the individual involved in coordinating the legal aspects of the grant. This could be the same individual acting as City Project Lead or City Point of Contact. 

Cities are also asked to include the name and contact information of the individual legally authorized to sign the Grant Agreement on behalf of the grantee organization. Depending on your city, this might be different than the City Project Lead or City Point of Contact. 

The proposal is an opportunity for cities to refine their ideas, review budget needs, and build out impact, implementation, sustainability and financing approaches in greater detail. This will help us understand the viability and potential impact of your project. Please review the Application Guidelines (on the GCF Application Page) for more information. 

Each city that has been invited to apply can submit a proposal for grants between $200,000 – $500,000 USD.  

The joint application requested grant amount should also not exceed $500,000 USD.  

The MMC reserves the right to request budget amendments from potential grantees.  

The grant term will be 24 months, with anticipated grant dates from December 2025 – November 2027.  

Grant funds may be used to cover expenses for a range of purposes, including: 

• Design and/or program operations of a new initiative. 

• Expansion or replication of an existing initiative with proven impact. 

• Direct costs, such as tools, equipment or cash assistance. 

• Specialized staff implementing or coordinating the project. 

• Outreach and communications, including translation into multiple languages. 

• Research, monitoring and evaluation to assess impact and improve implementation. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have further questions about whether a particular cost would be eligible for coverage. 

Grant recipients will be expected to engage in: 

Progress and Financial Reporting 

• Submit a high-level project plan one month into the grant to reflect any changes to timelines, milestones, metrics, partners, or other major activities mentioned in the application submission. 

• Share a midterm report around November 2026 that outlines progress to date, including progress on identified metrics and any other impact updates, as well as a financial report. 

• Share a final report around two months after the end of the grant term, that provides a high-level description of activities and impact highlights, including progress on identified metrics, testimonials from beneficiaries, and a financial report. 

• Allow visit(s) from the MMC and our strategic partners to monitor progress, as feasible. 

• Maintain detailed records of financial expenses in the event of a project audit. 

Communications 

• Secure city leadership engagement in public awareness and communications activities for the public announcement of the grant in September 2025. 

• Acknowledge support from the Mayors Migration Council and the donor in public materials related to the initiative. 

• Mobilize city leadership in multilateral international forums related to migration and displacement governance, as feasible. 

Knowledge Sharing 

• Join regular peer learning calls in with other selected cities to share lessons and progress. 
• Participate in global advocacy and communications events highlighting the GCF and its city grantees.