Project description
Housing as a factor of migrant integration
Housing represents a central factor in existing integration policies and initiatives across EU migration policies, regional economic and social systems, and individual practices. The EU-funded MERGING project will conduct an interdisciplinary study of migrant integration relying on participatory housing initiatives to test an innovative method with a view to encouraging and assuring a sustainable migrant integration process. The advanced and multi-method strategy provides in-depth analyses of the long-term impacts of participatory housing initiatives, factors supporting or preventing migrants’ access to civic rights in local communities, and local stakeholders’ responses to migrant socioeconomic integration. The project envisions contributing to integration studies, offering direct benefits to migrants and evidence-based policy advice.
Objective
The MERGING project is an interdisciplinary study of migrant integration through participatory housing initiatives. The project brings together 7 disciplines from 10 partners to test an innovative approach aiming to facilitate and ensure the sustainability of migrants’ integration process. MERGING reviews existing knowledge, integration policies and initiatives across macro (EU migration policies), meso (regional economic & social systems) and micro (individual practices) levels in which housing occupies a prominent place. This will enable us to study the feasibility of participatory pilots in order to implement, test and evaluate them in 3 European regions. To ensure the success and the sustainability of the project, both immigrants, hosts, volunteers, NGOs, companies, citizens will be involved in the construction (or renovation) of housing. The innovative, multi-method approach (e.g. interviews, focus groups, policy analyses, quantitative data analysis and participatory action research) provides in-depth analyses of: 1) the long-term effects of participatory housing initiatives; 2) factors fostering or hindering integration processes of migrants and access to civic rights in local communities; and 3) how diverse stakeholders can support migrants by strengthening their socio-economic integration through participatory initiatives (notably the ones related to housing). MERGING will contribute extensively to integration studies - empirically, methodologically and conceptually - through its place- and migrant-centred approach. MERGING offers direct benefits to migrants and evidence-based policy-recommendations will help to push policy and practice innovation in the field of migrant integration in Europe.
Fields of science
- social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiespublic policies
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata science
- social sciencessociologygovernance
- social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiescivil societynongovernmental organizations
- social sciencessociologydemographyhuman migrations
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.6. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Europe In A Changing World - Inclusive, Innovative And Reflective Societies Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.6.1.1. - The mechanisms to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
- H2020-EU.3.6.1.2. - Trusted organisations, practices, services and policies that are necessary to build resilient, inclusive, participatory, open and creative societies in Europe, in particular taking into account migration, integration and demographic change
- H2020-EU.3.6.1.4. - The promotion of sustainable and inclusive environments through innovative spatial and urban planning and design
Call for proposal
H2020-SC6-MIGRATION-2018-2019-2020
See other projects for this callSub call
H2020-SC6-MIGRATION-2020
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
69372 Lyon Cedex 08
France