What the EU should do in the next 5 years: results of new Europeans’ survey
What the EU should do in the next 5 years: The views of new Europeans
On 21 November 2024, Migration Policy Group’s New Europeans Initiative launched the results of a survey conducted among migrant-led organisations and initiatives from across the EU on their expectations and priorities for the EU in the next five years. The survey found that respondents prioritise areas often overlooked in mainstream policy discussions.
Survey highlights
- Integration and inclusion: Respondents highlighted many focus priorities, including employment (54.9% chose this as one of three top priority areas), housing (49.3%), and language learning (40.9%). Cross-cutting issues such as mainstreaming of integration, equality and inclusion (52.1%) and combating structural racism (50.7%) were also prominent. Strong support was expressed for enhanced EU funding and a stronger EU role in integration policies.
- Employment and education: Key concerns in employment centred on recognition of foreign qualifications and skills validation (71.8% choosing this as one of three top priorities), as well as addressing labour market discrimination (53.5%). In education, respondents called for greater access to language support (56.3%), access to education and educational rights (56.3%) and better support for migrant learners in diverse classrooms (45.7%).
- Democracy and civic participation: Countering the spread of misinformation (55.7%), strengthening the migrant-led civic space (50%), and defending democracy and fostering trust in democratic institutions (47.1% each) were all seen as crucial. Respondents advocated for further work on removing barriers to migrant participation in elections, participatory involvement in EU policymaking, promoting diversity in EU institutions, and more widespread granting of voting rights to third-country nationals.
- Migration and mobility: In asylum policy, priorities included improving access to international protection (63.6%) and establishing more legal pathways to protection (58.1%). On the topic of irregular migration, respondents emphasised the need for increased anti-trafficking work (74.2%) and more protection for victims of trafficking.
The EU is facing a crucial period, with migration and integration high on the policy agenda and democracy under threat in many countries. EU policymakers and policy stakeholders should be aware of the positions and priorities of migrant-led organisations and migrant leaders.
A number of experts commented on the survey results:
Juliana Santos Wahlgren, European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) & European Commission Expert Group on the views of migrants in the field of migration, asylum and integration:
Juliana highlighted the fragmented EU approach to anti-discrimination and the need for comprehensive policies based on social rights. She also emphasised the importance of language support for migrant learners, noting that lack of language fluency can be a poverty indicator, and stressed the necessity of funding for migrant integration and social protection. She further noted an alarming 80% rate of migrants without access to social benefits and called for early labour market access to combat poverty and social exclusion.
Ahmad Wali Ahmad Yar, Umbrella Refugee Committee, VUB Brussel & Advisory Board of the New Europeans Initiative:
Wali emphasised the need for refugee involvement in decision-making, improved access to EU funding, and increased collaboration between refugee organisations and EU institutions. He cited as a model the innovative, community-based integration strategies of the Umbrella Refugee Committee, an initiative of refugee-led organisations in Brussels. By mobilising the capacities of communities to organise themselves, often better integration results are achieved than by well-funded top-down policies and projects.
Ursula Hönich, European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs:
Ursula noted that the survey results align with the Commission’s priorities set out in its Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion which is emphasising a comprehensive approach to integration across policy areas. While qualification recognition remains a challenge, she notes, recent efforts including the European Year of Skills have advanced the issue. Acknowledging the difficulties migrant organisations often face in accessing EU funding, she also expressed a commitment to improving inclusivity.
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About the Migration Policy Group (MPG)
MPG is an independent think-and-do-tank based in Brussels. MPG’s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.