DYNAMIG policy workshops in Brussels
On 20 March 2025, we are organising three closed-door policy workshops in Brussels, Belgium, hosted by ECDPM. The workshops will bring together EU policymakers, migration experts and DYNAMIG researchers to discuss labour migration, misinformation and social media, and how perceptions of migration drivers shape policies.
We will discuss our research findings on migration decision-making and the interaction between policies and factors influencing migration decisions. The three workshops – focusing on labour migration, access to (mis-)information and the role of social media in migrant decision-making, and policy actors’ perceptions of the drivers of migration and how it shapes policy directions, respectively – aim to create room for open and frank discussions in a small setting between EU policymakers, migration experts and DYNAMIG researchers.
Workshop 1 – Bridging continents: Strategies for effective labour migration for Europe and Africa
In this workshop, we will focus on policy strategies and approaches to effectively regulate labour immigration into EU member states, including attracting and retaining talent and labour migrants. We will discuss how certain factors influence the decisions of (aspiring) migrants and what can be learned for policy development. Several questions will guide our discussion:
- How do potential migrants react to factors such as income, the presence of a welcoming culture and permit/visa duration as they self-select into labour migration to the EU? Which factors are most influential in migration decisions – and how do these vary among different groups?
- What policy strategies and approaches have – or haven’t – worked to attract and retain skilled workers from African countries?
- What is the state of play of EU and member state initiatives on labour migration with partner countries in Africa? What can we learn from negotiations with African partners to establish talent partnerships and bilateral agreements so far? How do they take into account factors influencing migration decisions?
- To what extent and how can international labour migration policy provide alternatives to irregular migration trends from African countries?
- What governance and regulations are necessary for employment and recruitment agencies to play a positive role in facilitating labour migration and ensure that the rights and working conditions of migrants are respected?
Workshop 2 – Access to (mis-)information and the role of social media in migrant decision-making
In this workshop, we will draw on new DYNAMIG research findings on the role of various information channels, including social media and digital tools, in influencing migrant decisions. The following questions will be central:
- What are the information channels that really matter most when potential migrants decide to migrate? What is the role of information and misinformation mediated through social media in influencing migration decisions?
- What is the extent of systematic misinformation in the various channels and across topics?
- How do migrants form expectations on prospects at home versus opportunities in destination countries through the use of social media?
- How has social media transformed the nature of migrant networks? How does it facilitate and constrain safe migration?
- How can misinformation be countered effectively? What can we learn from online information campaigns to provide transparency and counter misinformation?
- What are the most effective responses to the challenges that digital tools present in terms of migrant smuggling?
Workshop 3 – What do policy actors think about the drivers of migration and why does it matter?
In this workshop, we’ll delve into the complex narratives shaping migration policies within the EU, where assumptions and political discourse often mix with public fears, creating lasting impacts on policy decisions and public perception. We will explore how these narratives – both real and perceived – shape assumptions in policymakers and affect policy development, public opinion and the experiences of migrants across Europe. We will discuss the impact of these narratives on policy tools, for instance, on the links between migration and development and in the context of the current search for ‘innovative solutions’ within the EU’s external dimension.
Drawing on DYNAMIG research, we aim to unpack the multi-layered assumptions about migrant decision-making that underlie migration policy frameworks. Questions central to this discussion include:
- What narratives and ideas about migration and migrant decision-making drive policy developments within the EU and in African countries? What assumptions do EU and African policymakers have about migrant decisions and how does this shape policymaking and the implementation of external action tools?
- What is next for the EU’s externalisation of migration and what does it mean for the EU’s external action instruments?
- How can we build more nuance into policies targeting migrants to better reflect the heterogeneity of decision-making?
- What role and strategy for research and evidence in current EU migration policy?
- How can research and evidence be presented to best connect with prevailing policy interests, introduce new narratives and ideas that resonate with policymakers, and navigate political sensitivities?
About the workshop series
The policy workshops in Brussels are part of a strategic outreach effort to engage policymakers at different project stages, ensuring our work reflects their insights and priorities to enhance its quality, relevance and impact. In 2023, we organised a series of three workshops in Brussels, followed by additional workshops in Ilara-Mokin, Nairobi and Rabat in 2024.
The workshops are by invitation only and will take place under Chatham House rules.
