Migration Policy Group Newsletter

MPG launches New Europeans Initiative to close the participation gap

Everyone needs to be able to have a say in decisions that affect them. People with diverse origins and cultural backgrounds have become an inseparable part of European society. But they face many barriers that hinder their ability to take part in civic and political life. The resulting participation gap is a key challenge to European democracy.

Through the New Europeans Initiative, MPG contributes to closing the participation gap and making European democracy fit for an increasingly diverse and internationally mobile society.

Skills Of Migrants Are Key to Addressing EU Labour Shortages -
MPG's Dr. Sinem Yilmaz interviewed by Euractiv

The EU is increasingly facing labour shortages. “One way to address skill shortages is to simplify the qualification procedures and benefit from the skills of migrants and refugees already residing in the EU,” Dr. Sinem Yilmaz, Integration Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Group, told EURACTIV. “Many migrants are overqualified for their jobs while European employers struggle to find people with the skills that they need.”

However, for the EU to profit from the skills of third-country nationals, they'll actually have to want to live in the EU. “Narrow policies focusing solely on attracting skills from outside the EU will not work if member states do not ensure a welcoming community for migrants.” Dr. Yilmaz points out.

New publication: A Comparative Analysis of Non-discrimination Law in Europe 2022

The European network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination has released its new Comparative analysis of non-discrimination law in Europe 2022, authored by MPG’s Isabelle Chopin and Catharina Germaine.

This analysis summarizes the state of non-discrimination law in 27 EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, the UK, and five candidate countries. It highlights key issues and legal developments, giving an overview of the evolution of non-discrimination law in Europe in 2022.

Whole-COMM Country Reports Uncover Factors That Facilitate and Hinder Positive Encounters Among Citizens

Whole-COMM, a Horizon 2020 EU project of which MPG is a partner, has published 9 country reports on the impact of policies and local contexts on social relations and migrant integration experiences.

The reports are based on in-depth interviews with post-2014 migrants and focus group discussions with a mix of long-term residents and migrants. Whole-COMM examines the opportunities and constraints that affect migrants' possibilities for successful integration. The study will be followed by a comparative report and policy recommendations.