National Network of Welcoming Cities: An Institutional Space for Local-National Coordination and Collaboration in Brazil

The Brazilian Government, with the
National Network of Welcoming Cities (RNCA)

Leading Agency

Ministry of Justice and
Public Security

Start of Project

11/01/2023

End of Project

Ongoing

Overview

Launched in 2023 by Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the National Network of Welcoming Cities (RNCA) serves as a national coordination and dialogue platform between federal, state, and municipal governments to strengthen migration, refugee, and statelessness governance. The RNCA promotes institutional capacity-building, policy exchange, social participation, and multi-level cooperation, fostering more inclusive local responses to human mobility.

Concretely, the RNCA aims to:

1. Support policy development that supports the inclusion of migrant, refugee and stateless populations at the local level;

2. Institutionalise a space for multi-level dialogue;

3. Enable the distribution of grants to support decision-making at the municipal level;

4. Provide opportunities for exchange and learning;

5. Incentivise the set-up of inter-municipal partnerships and programmes;

6. Disseminate the principles, objectives, and guidelines of relevant national legislation and policies in the field of migration and forced displacement;

7. Expand the institutionalisation of municipal policies for migrants, refugees, and stateless persons across Brazil.

Reported Impact [as of November 2025]

In 2025, RNCA launched eight capacity-building sessions for municipalities on topics such as child protection, the rights of international migrants in Brazil, labour inclusion, and coordination with federal agencies. Implemented in partnership with International organisations, other Ministries, and civil society networks, the initiative seeks to institutionalise local migration policies across Brazil.

Despite challenges related to limited funding, staffing, and coordination across levels of government, the Network represents a significant milestone in Brazil’s effort to operationalise its National Policy on Migration, Refuge, and Statelessness, advancing a model of participatory, decentralised migration governance.

Priority Objectives

Engaging in regional and multilateral partnerships and increasing city-to-city cooperation

Improving migration governance and forced displacement protection