About Us and Our Work

COSLA (the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) is the representative voice of Scottish local authorities. COSLA’s Migration, Population and Diversity team has responsibility for policy issues relating to migration to Scotland in all its forms (including asylum seekers and refugees), human trafficking, population and demographic change, and also provides oversight of equality and human rights issues.

COSLA Strategic Migration Partnership (CSMP) is a function of the Migration, Population and Diversity team. It is one of a number of local authority-led Strategic Migration Partnerships based across the UK and works with partners from across the public, private and voluntary sector as a means of ensuring that Scotland is a welcoming place for new migrants. Our key partners include Scottish local authorities, the Home Office, the Scottish Government and a host of other stakeholders with an interest in migration issues in Scotland.

The team receives core funding from the Home Office and the Scottish Government. Oversight of our work is provided through COSLA’s political structures, ensuring that our member councils are at the heart of our policy development process.