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    • Ongoing Research
    • Completed Research
  • Multi-Thematic Research
• Migration Dialogues
• Capacity Building

Completed Research

Study for an Impact Assessment on European Initiatives on Mutual Recognition of the Effects of Civil Status Records

Objective: The purpose of the study is to provide the Commission with detailed information to assess the prerequisites, requirements and possible impacts of such a framework allowing for the mutual recognition of the effects of civil status records in order to solve the practical problems faced by citizens. The study is thereby limited to civil status matters in cross-border cases, in particular, the mutual recognition of the effects of civil status records, including administrative cooperation between national authorities based on an online system.

Implementing Agency: Matrix

Partner: ICMPD

Donor: European Union

Duration: May 2012–March 2013

Family Reunification – Barrier or Facilitator to Integration?

Objectives: The project aims to explore how legislation, policies and policy implementation on family migration facilitate or restrict the right to family life of third country nationals and EU citizens, and, in a second step, to explore the impact of regulations and policies on the integration of third country nationals and their families.

Summary: The research will consider how immigration law can present obstacles to or assist integration. As a specific objective, the project will promote admission policies that favour integration of third country nationals and their family members. The project focused on the countries: Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, the Netherlands and United Kingdom. More detailed information about the project can be found on the Research Unit's website.

Publication: Full Version; Summary

Partners: ICMPD, Immigrant Council of Ireland, The Aire Centre, Centre for Migration Law Nijmegen, Johann Daniel, Lawaetz Foundation Hamburg, High Commissioner for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue Portugal (AICIDI) and Institute for Legal Studies Bulgaria

Implementing Agency: Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI)

Donor: European Integration Fund

Duration: September 2011–March 2013

European Indicators of Migrant Integration

Objective: ICMPD, together with the Migration Policy Group, produced an assessment report to confirm the relevance of current indicators for integration and whether current data sources are robust enough to calculate them. The specific objectives of the project were:

• analyse to what extent and whether the different integration realities in various EU Member States are the result of integration and migration policies, immigrant populations and general contexts and policies
• strengthen how European indicators of migrant integration capture and monitor the specific outcomes of integration policies
• improve the way in which policy actors: evaluate the effectiveness of integration policies, appreciate the other factors that shape the integration process, engage in the data and policy implications of indicators and bring mainstream integration into European cooperation and targets, including the EU2020 Strategy.

Summary: In the European Union context, indicators have become increasingly important due to growing political commitment on integration policies at all levels of governance. In June 2010, EU Member States approved a number of European indicators of migrant integration, based on the EU2020 indicators and the EU’s Common Basic Principles, which focuses on the core areas of employment, social inclusion, education, and active citizenship. The Commission’s July 2011 European Agenda for Integration viewed these indicators as a way to systematically monitor the integration situation and the EU2020 targets, enhance policy coordination and make recommendations in dialogue with Member States.

• analysis reports to explain the data behind the European indicators, test the effectiveness of certain migration and integration policies and measure the impact of other policies
• assessment report to confirm the relevance of current indicators for integration and whether current data sources are robust enough to calculate them; ICMPD and the Migration Policy Group proposed additional indicators and data sources based on the chosen European indicators, the EU2020 strategy and active citizenship
• monitoring proposal to outline how the European Commission can use the current and proposed indicators to monitor the results of integration policies
• three expert seminars during the course of 2012 on the subjects of employment, education, and social inclusion and active citizenship.

Employment, Education and Life Worlds of Young Women with a Migration Background

• analyse the employment and education situation of young migrant women with specific regard to social and family contexts
• identify factors that shape labour market and educational outcomes
• identify good practices to promote the labour market performance of women with a migration background
• formulate policy recommendations.

Summary: Education and employment are crucial factors concerning social and economic integration into Austrian society. However, recent studies have shown that women with a migration background are disadvantaged with regard to employment and education when compared to men with a migration background, as well as to women without such a migration background.

The reasons for these disadvantages are manifold and comprise factors such as inadequate qualifications, low educational profiles, but also discrimination, difficulties in acknowledging foreign qualifications or the need to prove German language skills on a very high level. Furthermore, factors that are not easy to measure, such as benefits of family and social networks or attitudes regarding family or work, may indirectly impact the employment situation and educational profiles of women with a migration background. Moreover, factors unrelated to migration, such as lack of positions that offer a work-life balance, weaken the position of women with a migration background in the labour market. This said, the employment and education situation of women with a migration background is in fact very heterogeneous. In particular, first generation migrants and women coming from countries outside of the EU show lower labour market participation rates and face higher unemployment than other groups. However, to date, systematic analysis examining the combination of factors explaining the employment and education situations of women with migration history are scarce. Moreover, there is a need to combine existing statistical data on socio-demographic characteristics, educational attainment, de-skilling, discrimination, and ‘soft’ factors, such as attitudes to work, family and education to better understand individual decision-making processes and structural disadvantages.

To reach the project’s aims, the study applied multiple methods including desk research, secondary statistical analysis and qualitative interviews with experts, practitioners and young women themselves. The outcomes of the project were: 1) an analysis report, 2) the mapping of good practices and 3) policy recommendations.

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Donor: State Secretary for Integration within the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Austria

Duration: February 2012–July 2012

Country: Austria

Evaluation of the Immigrant Citizens Survey

Objective: The project, coordinated by the King Baudouin Foundation, and the research, coordinated by the Migration Policy Group, involved ICMPD as evaluators of a recent survey of immigrants in seven European countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Hungary, Portugal and Spain.

Summary: The "Immigrant Citizens Survey" asked legal resident third country nationals to assess their own needs and evaluate how these needs have and could be met by public interventions. The survey addressed several areas of integration: the labour market and recognition of qualifications, family life, security of residence, access to general services, education, civic participation, access to nationality, and anti-discrimination and profiling.

Implementing Agencies: King Baudouin Foundation and Migration Policy Group

Partner: ICMPD

Donors: European Integration Fund, the Oak Foundation, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian and King Baudouin Foundation

Duration: April 2012–June 2012

Integration and Prevention of Social Deviance for Young Male Immigrants and Young Males from Immigrant Families

Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to give an overview of the state of the art of research on adolescence and migration and to identify successful measures fostering the integration of male immigrant adolescents. The study aimed, in particular, to discuss the specific problems of integration of male immigrant adolescents, to analyse successful approaches and working models of prevention and socio-pedagogical intervention and to develop concrete proposals for further policy development in this specific area of integration.

Summary: In the public and political debate concerning the integration of third country nationals, young immigrant males or young males from a migrant family are often presented as a group lacking professional and academic success and prone to social deviant behavior or violent crimes. Studies have pointed out that the reality is more complex than in media discourse. ‘Young male immigrants’ are neither a homogeneous group nor can social deviance among young male adults be explained solely by reference to the migration biography or descent from migrant parents.

The study was based on a literature analysis and qualitative interviews with experts from academia, labour market authorities, schools and extracurricular youth work and the police. Particular attention was paid to successful projects in the field of youth work with the target group. To reach the study’s aims, the study applied multiple methods including desk research, secondary statistical analysis and qualitative interviews with experts and practitioners. The outcomes of the study were: 1) an analysis report, 2) the mapping of good practices and 3) policy recommendations.

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Donor: State Secretary for Integration within the Federal Ministry of the Interior

Duration: January 2012–June 2012

Impact Analysis of Integration and Migration Policy Measures on the Integration of Third Country Nationals in Europe (WIKAN)

Promoting Sustainable Policies for Integration (PROSINT)

Objective: The project evaluates the impact of admission related integration policies on the integration of newcomers and analyses the different logic underlying integration policy-making. It covers 9 European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom).

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Donor: European Integration Fund

Duration: December 2009–April 2012

Inequalities and Multiple Discrimination in Access to Health

Objectives: The aims of the study were 1) to gain a better understanding of the particular vulnerabilities resulting from the intersection of ethnic origin, age and gender in access to health care and quality of care in five EU-Member States (Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Sweden and the UK) and 2) to formulate recommendations on how this situation can be improved. The specific objectives were the following:

• to identify barriers of access to health care services (ease with which health care can be obtained; quality of health care service) faced by the target group
• to map the initiatives undertaken by Member States at policy level to enable and improve access to health services and quality of health for the target group
• to identify the ways in which health professionals address the care needs of the target group.

Summary: The empirical research involving more than 300 interviews with health professionals, policy-makers and health care users was set within a broader analysis of literature, evidence, legal context and mapping of policy initiatives since the 1990s in the 5 Member States and at the EU level. The target group consists of health care users belonging to vulnerable groups at the intersection of gender, age and ethnic origin. The outcomes of the study were:

• a summary report (mainly targeted at policy makers; it includes evidence-based advice for tackling issues and cases of multiple and inter-sectional discrimination)
• a comparative report (overview of legal and policy instruments dealing with multiple discrimination across the EU)
• five country thematic fact files including recommendations for good practice and policies applicable in the five countries and more widely in the European Union
• a good practice handbook based on evidence collected through the research (selection of good practices effectively addressing multiple discrimination across the EU).

Implementing Agency: Middlesex University (case study UK)

Partners: ICMPD, Research Institute of the Red Cross (case study Austria), Gender Studies o.p.s (case study Czech Republic), Research and Development Centre for Care of Older People (FOU äldre nor, case study Sweden) and University of Bologna (case study Italy)

Donor: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

Duration: December 2010–November 2011

Assessment of the Implementation and Impact of the "Scientific Visa" Package

Objective: This ICMPD study covered the implementation and impact of the aspects of the "Scientific Visa Package” (Researchers Directive 2005/71/EC and Recommendation 2005/761/EC) in all 27 EU member states. This formed part of a broader study on human resource policies and practices in research, on the “Scientific Visa Package" and on the implementation of pan-EU pension schemes targeted at researchers. This study aimed at providing support for a monitoring system on national policies on human resources in research and on their effects at the level of research organisations, foreseen in the 2009 People Specific Programme of the 7th Framework Programme. This should lead to improved knowledge of policy developments and actions on human resources in the European Research Area and their effects at the level of research organisations and improve the knowledge base for future policy developments. The specific aims of the study were:

• to conduct a conformity analysis of the legal and administrative framework in the 27 EU Member States for implementation of the directive and recommendation
• to analyse the institutional set-up and implementation in practice of the provisions of the two legal instruments in the 27 EU Member States
• to evaluate the impact of the research residence permits and visas on the basis of both quantitative and qualitative data and research
• to identify any potential difficulties in implementation and suggestions for improvement
• to identify good practices in relation to the implementation of the directive and the recommendation.

Summary: In 2005 the European Commission adopted the "Scientific Visa Package" to make scientific careers more attractive and open up the Community to third-country nationals who might be admitted for the purposes of research. The package includes Directive 2005/71/EC on a specific procedure for admitting third-country nationals for the purposes of scientific research and Recommendation 2005/761/EC aiming to facilitate the issue by the Member States of uniform short-stay visas for researchers from third countries travelling within the Community for the purpose of carrying out scientific research. The 8 outcomes of this project were:

1. Comparative report on Directive 2005/71/EC in 27 EU Member States
2. Conformity analysis of how Member States have transposed the Directive into national law
3. Statistical analysis illustrating the impact of the Directive in quantitative terms
4. Assessment of the impact of the Directive, and identification of difficulties and good practices in its implementation, through extensive national and EU-level research and questionnaires
5. Comparative report on Recommendation 2005/761/EC in 27 EU Member States
6. Analysis of the national legal and/or administrative frameworks relating to the Recommendation
7. Account of the authorities responsible and the institutional and procedural set-up for the implementation of these provisions
8. Assessment of the impact of the Recommendation, and identification of difficulties and good practices in its implementation, through extensive national and EU-level research and questionnaires

Einbürgerungen in der Oesterreichischen Arbeitsmarktdatenbank– eine Evaluierung der Erfassung des Merkmals „Staatsbürgerschaft“ auf Basis von HV- und AMS-Daten, ICMPD Research Working Paper No. 03

Objective: The working paper (No. 03) by ICMPD researcher David Reichel titled "Einbürgerungen in der österreichischen Arbeitsmarktdatenbank – eine Evaluierung der Erfassung des Merkmals „Staatsbürgerschaft“ auf Basis von HV- und AMS-Daten" was carried out in 2010 and dealt with naturalisation in the Austrian labour market databse. Download (DE, 808KB)

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Duration: 2010

Study Regarding Discrimination on Grounds of Race and Ethnicity in the Area of Employment

Objective: ICMPD was commissioned by the Fundamental Rights Agency to conduct a comparative study on discrimination in the area of employment. The study covered the period 2003 - 2007. The specific aims of the study were 1) to provide a policy relevant analysis of data and information documenting incidents and types of discrimination at workplaces and labour markets across the EU, 2) to highlight “good practices” in counteracting discrimination, 3) to analyse the availability or lack and comparability of data and 4) to develop strategies to improve data collection.

Summary: The outcomes of the study were: 1) a comparative study regarding discrimination on grounds of race and ethnicity in the area of employment, 2) a thematic paper on “diversity management” and 3) a thematic paper on “discrimination testing”.

Publication: FRA (2011). Albert Kraler, Saskia Bonjour, Alina Cibea, Mariya Dzhengozova, Christina Hollomey and David Reichel. Migrants, minorities and employment - Exclusion and discrimination in the 27 Member States of the European Union (Update 2003-2008). Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, online at: http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/attachments/pub-migrants-minorities-employment_EN.pdf 

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Donor: Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA)

Duration: July 2008–March 2009

The Migration System Between Turkey and Austria: A First View, ICMPD Research Working Paper No. 02

Objective: This 2008 working paper by ICMPD researchers Martin Hofman and Ursula Reeger dealt with the topic  of the migration system between Turkey and Austria  and was presented at the IMISCOE Cluster A1 Workshop, Leipzig in April 2008. Download (EN, 541KB)

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Durartion: 2008

Comparative Study on Policies Towards Foreign Graduates

Ojbective: In 2006 ICMPD was commissioned by the Dutch Advisory Committee on Alien Affairs (ACVZ, an official independent committee embedded in the Aliens Act 2000) to carry out a comparative study on the position of foreign graduates to help the ACVZ in its task to advice the Dutch government on ways to improve the labour market position of international graduates.

Summary: The study showed that many European countries have now introduced policies that provide settlement options to graduated foreign students and facilitate their integration into the labour market after a successful completion of studies.

Publication: Michael Jandl, Brigitte Suter (2006): Comparative Study on Policies towards Foreign Graduates. Study on Admission and Retention Policies towards Foreign Students in Industrialised Countries. Download (EN)

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Donor: Dutch Advisory Committee for Aliens Affairs

Duration: 2006

Civic Stratification, Gender and Family Migration Policies in Europe, ICMPD Research Working Paper No. 01

Objective: This 2006 working paper by ICMPD researchers Eleonore Kofman and Albert Kraler dealt with civic stratification, gender and family migration policies in Europe. It was prepared for the IMISCOE B3 Cluster Conference in Budapest, 30 May to 2 June 2006. Download (EN, 581KB)

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Duration: 2006

Admission of Third Country Nationls for the Purpose of Carrying Out Religious Work in European Countries and Canada

Objective: The focus of this study was the rules for admission, residence, work, family, reunification and integration provisions specific to the category of "clergy" - ministers of religion of different religious denominations, which is meant to include various religious orders (Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist and others) and duties (priests, nuns, monks, imams, and others). The study covered the following nine countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Publication: Elisabeth Strasser, Albert Kraler, Veronika Bilger, Michael Jandl (2005) Study on the Admission of Third Country Nationals for the Purpose of Carrying out Religious Work in 8 European Countries and Canada. Download (EN, 800KB)

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Donor: Dutch Advisory Committee on Aliens Affairs (ACVZ)

Duration: September 2004–January 2005

Integration Agreements and Voluntary Measures - INTI

Objective: The report aimed to shed light on differences and similarities of European integration programmes reflected in the underlying legislation, objectives, concepts, requirements and implementation, as exemplified by the approaches taken in Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The outcomes of the report were: 1) a comparison and analysis of identified best practices related to integration programmes and 2) a provision of policy recommendations for the improvement of integration programmes.

Publications:

ICMPD (2005) Integration Agreements and Voluntary Measures. Compulsion or voluntary nature – comparison of compulsory integration courses, programmes and agreements and voluntary integration programmes and measures in Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland; ICMPD. Download (EN, 1,4MB)

Partners: Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies - IMES (NL), Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchltinge - BAMF (DE), DARES Research Institute of the French Ministry of Labor (FR), Federal Office for Migration - BFM (CH)

Donor: European Union

Duration: 2004–2005

Integrationsportal

Objective: The project Austrian Integration Platform (“integrationsportal.at”) was designed as a website/database to provide extensive information concerning the main aspects of asylum, refugee and migration policy in Austria. It served as an information medium for both experts working in the area and for recognized refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. The portal was taken offline in January 2008 due to server problems. The portal consisted of three main parts: 1) legal section, containing well-structured, ready-to-use information on Austrian asylum law, aliens law, labour law etc., 2) portal section providing access to information and links to relevant sites and 3) database section providing an overall view of topic-related projects in Austria.

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Donors: European Refugee Fund and Austrian Ministry of Interior

Duration: March 2002–February 2005

Managing Diversity Through Culture - MA.DI.CU

Objective: The project MaDiCu in the course of the EQUAL Operational Programme aimed at improving intercultural cooperation in enterprises by drawing on the concept of “Diversity Management”. The project’s approach was made up of a combination of social research and enterprise-theatre. On the basis of five case studies and group interviews with migrant employees in selected enterprises, theatre pieces were written and presented in the enterprises. In addition, measures accounting for the internal diversity were implemented.

Implementing Agency: ICMPD 

Donors: EQUAL Operational Programme of the European Social Fund (EFS) and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour (BMWA)

Duration: 2002–2005

Comparative Study on Legislation

Objectives: The objectives of the study were 1) to analyse existing and currently developing legal measures and remedies against discrimination of migrants and minorities, especially within the framework of the two European Council anti-discrimination Directives and their implementation through national legislation and 2) to develop a comparative overview of the existing legislation in the EU Member States.

Summary: The study had the following outcomes:

• development of a conceptual and methodological framework for data collection regarding legislation and problems related to comparability issues 
• description, analysis and comparison of data including: anti-discrimination legislation and the transposition of the EU Directives; constitutional provisions; relevant penal provisions; special legislation of importance in the EU Member States; complementary legal framework of the EU Member States, examination of complaints and court cases
• analysis of  common problems, conclusions and recommendations for the EU and its Member States.

Publications: Bilger, Veronika; Chahrokh, Haleh; and Klug, Wolfgang (2004): Migrants, minorities and legislation: Documenting legal measures and remedies against discrimination in 15 EU- Member States of the European Union. A comparative study submitted on behalf of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC). Download (EN)

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Donor: EUMC

Duration: February 2003–September 2003

Comparative Study on Employment

Objective: The study was concerned with the situation of migrants and minorities in the employment sector. The specific objectives of the study were: 1) to examine country-specific findings on inequality, exclusion, disadvantage and discrimination on the labour market in a comparative perspective,  2) to document the incidents and types of discrimination which occur in workplaces and labour markets across the EU and 3) to highlight examples of ‘good practice’ in counteracting discrimination.

Summary: The study's outcomes were the following:

• development of conceptual and methodological framework for data collection and problems related to the comparability of existing and non-existing data
• description, analysis and comparison of existing data: existing inequalities in the labour market; evidence of discrimination; overview of current strategies to overcome inequalities and discrimination
• presentation of common problems, conclusions and recommendations.

Publications: ICMPD/ EUMC (2003) Migrants, Minorities and Employment: Exclusion, Discrimination and Anti-Discrimination in 15 Member States of the European Union. Report submitted by the ICMPD on behalf of EUMC, October 2003, EUMC. Download (EN)

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Donor: EUMC

Duration: November 2002–May 2003

Austrian Report on Migration and Integration - Österreichischer Integrations- und Migrationsbericht

Objective: The first report on migration and integration in Austria aimed to provide a documentary overview over the situation of immigrants in Austria, representing a significant part of the Austrian population. The main issues covered were demographic and socio-economic structures, life situations, normative and legal frameworks, xenophobia and migrant organisations.

Publications: Fassmann, Heinz; Irene Stacher, Hg. (2003): Österreichischer Migrations- und Integrationsbericht. Demographische Entwicklungen – sozioökonomische Strukturen – rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen. Klagenfurt/Celovec: Drava

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Donor: Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Education, Science and Culture

Duration: 2002

The Social Mobility of Foreigners on the Labour Market

Objective: The project aimed to analyse the social and occupational mobility of foreign employees on the labour market. The study focused on four main foreigner groups: migrants from Germany, Poland, Turkey and Ex- Yugoslavia in the city of Vienna. The analyses was based on secondary data from the Austrian census of population and micro-census, as well as on migrant interviews.

Publications: Fassmann, Heinz; Irene Stacher, Hg. (2003) Österreichischer Migrations- und Integrationsbericht. Demographische Entwicklungen – sozioökonomische Strukturen – rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen. Klagenfurt/Celovec: Drava

Implementing Agency: ICMPD

Donors: Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and the Jubilee Fund of the Austrian National Bank

Duration: 2001

Programme Manager

Mr. Albert Kraler

CV

Contact

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