MPG’s first ten years

Emerging European policies and MPG’s first ten years

The Migration Policy Group (MPG) was established in 1995 as an independent, Brussels-based think-and-do tank dedicated to shaping European migration, integration, and anti-discrimination policies. This document chronicles its foundational decade, during which MPG played a key role in influencing European policies amidst growing migration challenges and rising anti-immigrant sentiments.

MPG was formed in response to a lack of coordinated European-level engagement on migration issues. It emerged from collaborations with the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and assumed responsibility for key initiatives like the Migration NewsSheet, the Starting Line anti-discrimination campaign, and the Societal Integration Round Tables. Early challenges included financial constraints, building credibility, and navigating mistrust between government institutions and civil society actors.

MPG worked closely with the Council of Europe and the European Union, contributing to landmark policies, such as the EU Racial Equality and Employment Equality Directives (2000). The Starting Line campaign was instrumental in advocating for these two EU anti-discrimination laws, leading to significant legal advancements. MPG also promoted comparative research and evidence-based policymaking, fostering collaboration among policymakers, NGOs, and academics across Europe.

Other key MPG initiatives included facilitating dialogues on migration policies, expanding legal protections for minorities, and advocating for integration policies that emphasized socio-economic inclusion rather than assimilation. Its work also contributed to the development of equality networks such as ENAR and EQUINET, policy monitoring tools, and partnerships with national and international institutions shaping EU migration and integration laws.

By 2005, MPG had established itself as a leading independent voice in European migration policy, setting the foundation for its continued work on integration, anti-discrimination, and policy innovation.