Migration impact assessment to enhance integration and local development in european rural and mountain areas
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.