Advancing Inclusive Migration Policies at the Euro-Mediterranean CSO Conference

MPG participated in the Euro-Mediterranean CSO Conference on Realities, Challenges, and Collaboration of Civil Society Organisations across Europe and the Mediterranean, contributing to discussions on the role and challenges of CSOs in the areas of migration, skills development and social inclusion.

As part of Panel III: Migration, Skills Development and Social Inclusion, our Head of Research, Başak Yavçan, joined policymakers, practitioners, and civil society representatives to explore how migration-related challenges can be transformed into opportunities for sustainable growth.

From barriers to opportunities

The panel focused on the role of skills development, labour market integration, and social inclusion in strengthening the Euro-Mediterranean region. Discussions highlighted persistent barriers, including difficulties in recognising qualifications, limited access to employment, and gaps in inclusive education systems.

In her intervention, Başak Yavçan addressed two key questions: which policy innovations are most effective in improving the recognition of migrants’ qualifications, and how data and evidence can better inform inclusive migration policies.

Watch Panel Discussion III – Migration, Skills Development and Social Inclusion

Evidence-based insights from MIPEX

Drawing on findings from the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), she emphasised the importance of:

• an overall inclusive integration policy
• robust systems for recognising migrants’ skills and qualifications
• targeted measures to facilitate access to the labour market
• inclusive education policies that support long-term integration

MIPEX data show that, despite some progress, significant gaps remain in areas such as labour market access and education, underlining the need for more comprehensive and coordinated policy responses.

Learning from good practices

The discussion also highlighted concrete examples from countries such as Germany, Türkiye, Portugal and Spain, where innovative approaches have improved skills recognition and supported migrants’ integration into the labour market.

These experiences demonstrate the value of combining policy reform with practical implementation measures, as well as the importance of cooperation between public authorities, civil society, and international organisations.

Strengthening collaboration across the region

The conference provided an important platform for dialogue across Europe and the Mediterranean, reinforcing the role of civil society in advancing evidence-based policymaking and inclusive development.

MPG’s contribution reaffirmed the importance of data, research, and cross-sector collaboration in shaping policies that benefit both migrants and host communities.