Migration Policy Group Newsletter

Dear ,

A warm welcome to our September Newsletter!

In recent weeks, we've seen a rise in anti-migration rhetoric, threatening the core values of the EU: reinstating border controls within the Schengen area, stricter migration rules, and even an EU country seeking to exit the Migration and Asylum Pact. The newly nominated European Commission faces the challenge of preventing these trends from escalating while ensuring member states address migration together, with dignity and respect for fundamental EU principles.

Earlier this year, the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum was adopted, though not ideal. At MPG, we hope member states will approach migration in a way that reinforces human rights, ensures legal and safe access to asylum and prevents abuses.

Recent media attention on migration and discrimination issues has highlighted our work, with MPG featured in several European and national outlets.

This month, we published a comparative report revealing how structural and institutional racism across eight EU member states impedes achieving equality.

Empowering leaders with migration backgrounds remains a priority. In the coming months, we will hold the second Democracy Academy to enhance their political leadership and decision-making skills.

Unveiling Deep-Rooted Racism: New Report Exposes Structural and Institutional Inequality Across Eight EU Member States

Our latest report uncovers the deeply embedded structural racism present across eight EU member states: Czechia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and Sweden. Supported by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the report highlights how systemic racism disproportionately impacts marginalized communities—including Roma, Black people, Jews, Asians and Muslim communities—across key sectors such as housing, education, healthcare, employment, and law enforcement.

Tackling structural and institutional racism is essential for building a just and equitable society. Our policy recommendations offer a roadmap for effective action at both national and European levels which will be published next months.

Launch Event: Migration Research to Policy Co-Lab

MPG is excited to be part of the Migration Research to Policy Co-Lab, designed to bridge the gap between migration research and policy. Despite the wealth of data on migration, it often goes overlooked in policymaking. This new Co-Lab aims to change that.

The Co-Lab brings together 12 partner institutions as part of the Horizon Europe-funded INNOVATE project, pooling resources to ensure research informs policy decisions. Be part of the launch event for the Migration Research to Policy Co-Lab and discover how you can get involved!

Second Edition of the Democracy Academy Starting Soon!

The Democracy Academy is back, ready to empower the civic and political participation of New Europeans. This year, participants will engage in a series of interactive online sessions led by experienced migrant leaders, offering invaluable insights and tools for making a lasting impact in decision-making processes.

Expect to gain skills in policy advocacy, organising for sustainability, campaigning, and more. Plus, participants will receive a certificate upon completion. Stay tuned for this exciting journey!

Recent Media Highlights

Over the past few months, MPG has gained significant media attention: our groundbreaking report on structural and institutional racism in 8 EU countries featured in Politico Europe, MPG interviewed by the media outlets in Denmark, Finland, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine, commenting on the introduction of border controls within the Schengen area, integration of Ukrainian refugees, citizenship/naturalisation tests, election victories of far-right parties and their implications on migration and integration, providing a comparative analysis on asylum and migration policies in the EU.

This month's MIPEX Citations

The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) is a unique tool which measures integration policies in 56 countries across 8 policy areas. It provides up-to-date, comprehensive research data and analysis on which to base policies, proposals for change and projects.

Here are this month's MIPEX citations:

“Yet Another Crisis? Syrian Refugee Children and Turkish Education System in Turbulence” by Eranil and Kasalak, published in Egitim ve Bilim.
“An Indicator-Based Approach to Comparative Policy Analysis: Measuring Regional Governance of Migrant Integration” by Pasetti et al., published in Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice.
"The production of “evidence” for migrant integration policy in the European Union" by Dodevska, published in Migration Studies.
“Building a Set of Indicators to Assess Migrant Children’s Integration in Europe: A Co-Creation Approach" by Serrano et al., published in Child Indicators Research.