The Reality of Free Movement for Young European Citizens Migrating in Times of Crisis

The reality of free movement for young European citizens migrating in times of crisis

http://euonthemove.eu/

https://www.facebook.com/onthemoveProject/

Evaluation report

Awareness Event:

“European mobility in the times of crises”

Warsaw, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, 27 October 2017

General information about the awareness event:

Concept:

The objectives of the awareness eventwere to promote the findings and deliverables of the project (publications) as well as to have a discussion about the phenomenon of mobility of Europeans in times of different ‘crises’. The project “On the move – the reality of free movement for young European citizens migrating in times of crisis” was conceptualized in connection with the economic crisis, but during the implementation phase it appeared that one could in fact talk about multiple simultaneous crises occurring in Europe, namely: the “refugee crisis”, the crisis of multiculturalism, the rise of xenophobic moods, Brexit. In the discussion, therefore, we wanted to link together these topics and talk about the ways in which the above-mentioned changes of the socio-economic and political situation affect the mobility of young Europeans, and whether moving to another EU Member State is still an attractive option for them.

Course of the event

The event/seminar began with the presentation of the findings of the project “On the move – the reality of free movement for young European citizens migrating in times of crisis” by project`s lead expert Marta Szczepanik. It was followed by the presentations of the representatives of authorities. First, Mrs. Justyna Kądziela, an EURES advisor, explained how the state institutions support European mobility for the purpose of work. Then, Mrs Kalina Strzałba, a representative of the state owned Foundation for the Development of the Education System, presented the possibilities offered in the framework of Europan projects, inluding Erasmus + and the newly established European Solidarity Corps. Both representatives of authorities also commented on the results of the project “On the move”. After the presentation, a discussion started, focusing on the following issues:

• why do young Europeans decide to move to another Member State now and in the very recent past,
• how different crises - economic, migratory - affect the willingness and ability to leave one’s country,

• what are the expectations that people on the move have,
• how do the Member States support European mobility,
• which institutions might be consulted when moving to another EU country?

The discussion was lively and interesting; the participants seemed to be particularly interested in the topic of he European Solidarity Corps and in the ways in which this instrument reflects the changes that the European societies are currently undergoing (i.e. growing nationalism, crisis of multicultural policies).

Participants

Invitations to the awareness event were sent to the organisations dealing with issues in question, including youth organisations, students associations, organisation dealing with issues related to the European Union. The information about the event was also included in the weekly newsletter of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. Moreover, an “event” on Facebook was created: https://www.facebook.com/events/343973999382688/ In total, 28 persons registered or the event. However, not all of them finally participated (only 14). Participants received a memory stick will reports which had been prepared in the framework of the project. Most of the participants were dealing professionally with the issues related to European mobility and migration.

At the conclusion of the awareness event, the participants (‘change agents’) were requested to fill in an evaluation form. The outcome of this evaluation is presented below.

Overall number of participants: 14

Among them: 2 young people on the move:

7 of national authorities representatives:

Disclaimer: “This evaluation report has been produced with the financial support of the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme of the European Union. The contents are the sole responsibility of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.”

2