MERGING - integration for migrants

The MERGING project is an interdisciplinary study of migrant integration through participatory housing initiatives. Led by Dr. Catherine Mercier-Suissa and Dr. Noémie Dominguez (University Jean Moulin Lyon), the project brings together 7 disciplines from 10 European partners to test an innovative approach aiming to facilitate and ensure the sustainability of migrants’ integration process. It benefits from a 3 million Euros funding over 3 years, thanks to the Horizon 2020 program, a European funding mechanism for research projects. 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 the MERGING partners to study the feasibility of participatory pilots in order to implement, test and evaluate them in 3 European cities. 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-centered 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.