Project description
Immigrant integration in European rural and mountain areas
The EU-funded MATILDE project is based on the hypothesis that non-EU immigrants can contribute to the economic and social development of rural and mountain areas across Europe. Besides, the spatial distribution of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) impacts on the relations between urban areas and rural/mountain zones: it can thus support territorial cohesion and more balanced development across Europe. The project will estimate the dimensions of the economic and social impacts of TCNs in 10 European countries, at national, regional and local levels. Through 13 local case studies conducted with action-research methods, MATILDE will examine the local impact of migrations in diverse rural and mountain regions. The project intends to engage local stakeholders and policymakers to achieve a better understanding of the impacts of migration; to elaborate proposals concerning the redistribution of resources in the EU rural and mountain areas; as well as to formulate recommendations concerning the governance of migration.
Objective
MATILDE develops a transdisciplinary conceptual and methodological framework for a multi-dimensional assessment of economic and social impacts of TCNs at different scales (from EU-aggregate, to local level). It focuses on assessing the impacts of TCNs (incl. economic, families, forced migration and vulnerable groups) on local development and on the re-distribution of resources in EU rural and mountain regions. The assessment is based on the hypothesis that TCNs are an important driver of socio-economic development and have a strong effect on the relationships between urban and rural/mountain areas and on a balanced territorial development. MATILDE uses quantitative and qualitative methods and adopts an action-research approach (through the implementation of 13 case studies throughout Europe) that emphasises the agency of migrants and the site-specific features of the regions involved. Case studies are selected based on the presence of urban poles differently interconnected with rural and mountain areas via flows of people, economic resources and cultural exchange. The action-reserach approach is built on a multi-stakeholder perspective: the two-level consortium gathers research partners and diverse local partners working in the field of TCNs’ integration. MATILDE partners will work together to co-construct the migration impact assessment in rural and mountain areas, engaging local stakeholders and beneficiaries, and to elaborate and share policy recommendations and governance solutions. Overall, the project improves knowledge on the social and economic development potential of TCNs in rural and mountain areas. It helps understanding the mechanisms behind the socio-economic integration of TCNs and it provides policy makers, practitioners and local stakeholders with analytical tools and place-based solutions/policy recommendations to counteract misperceptions and untap the migration potential in rural and mountain regions.
Fields of science
Keywords
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
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
H2020-SC6-MIGRATION-2018-2019-2020
See other projects for this callSub call
H2020-SC6-MIGRATION-2019
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
70211 KUOPIO
Finland
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Participants (26)
91054 Erlangen
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751 05 Uppsala
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9800 Spittal An Der Drau
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Participation ended
G4 0BA Glasgow
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1030 Wien
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Participation ended
39100 Bolzano
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1635 Sofia
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34060 Eyup Istanbul
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2418 Elverum
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791 88 Falun
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50009 Zaragoza
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34718 ISTANBUL
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1504 Sofia
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6850 Dornbirn
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791 29 Falun
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9500 Villach
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20500 Turku
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80100 Joensuu
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10138 Torino
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39100 BOZEN
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86153 Augsburg
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50004 Zaragoza
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EH12 5BH EDINBURGH
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2317 Hamar
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43121 PARMA
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10124 Torino
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