Growing Inequality: a Novel Integration of transformations research

Project Information

GI-NI

Grant agreement ID: 101004494

DOI

10.3030/101004494

Project closed

EC signature date 28 October 2020

Start date 1 April 2021

End date 31 March 2025

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Europe In A Changing World - Inclusive, Innovative And Reflective Societies

Total cost

€ 3 000 001,25

EU contribution

€ 3 000 000,00

Coordinated by

NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - GI-NI (Growing Inequality: a Novel Integration of transformations research)

Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2025-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Our societies and economies are experiencing major changes. Most discussions have focused on the impact of new technologies. It is also important to address two other disruptions: globalisation and migration. The outcomes of these three transformations are difficult to predict. While they are beneficial to some individuals, they also impact others negatively. We need to look at the combined effects of technology, globalisation and migration. There is uncertainty about how to manage their impact at national and global scale. At the policy level, it has proven difficult to meet the Europe 2020 targets for increasing employment and reducing poverty and social exclusion. One can think of it as inequality in output (income and wealth) and in opportunities (education, health, digital environmental, etc.). All these inequalities have a gender dimension as well as a geographical one (disparities). These inequalities need to be tackled in their entirety by EU and national policymakers. We need to look into how we can turn negative developments into outcomes that promote more equality and economic prosperity in EU countries. This requires joint research efforts but also more rigorous multi- and interdisciplinary approaches at European level.
GI-NI's research activities contribute to above mentioned challenges to realise an inclusive Europe of shared prosperity, by providing a better understanding of the changes and mutual impact of three major transformations: (1) digitisation; (2) globalisation; and (3) migration and mobility. Europe is confronted with hard choices about migration. The Ukraine war has shown that we need to have a better approach to migration in general. The COVID-19 crises has exacerbated our supply situation in Europe. More and more, policymakers are trying to understand if further globalisation is the right way forward. The GI-NI project addresses these questions.

GI-NI has five objectives: 1. Measure impacts of the three transformations on work, skills, and inequality; 2. Synthesize and analyse their interaction; 3. Foster dialogue and co-create future options with stakeholders; 4. Collect and consolidate data and produce future projections; 5. Identify policy and governance options for inclusion and equality. GI-NI generates this by: building on state-of-the-art research and other EU projects; using innovative methods; combining EU-wide and international micro- and macro-data; addressing gaps in knowledge and insights on data, joint impacts, and futures.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Period 1 and 2
At the project's start, the focus is on creating conditions for research, communication, dissemination, and impact. In the first year, the main goal is ‘building’. We developed concepts and databases, identifying key policy areas and interventions for analysing digital technologies, globalisation, and migration. WP2 connects EU datasets, with new data built from national sources. Some activities for objective 4 were completed in year one. For dissemination, we have established a broad set of tools, already reaching a significant audience.
In the second period, seven external publications and three policy briefs were completed, with promotion starting in October 2023. Research in Deep Dives (WP3, 4, and 5) has begun delivering results. WP3 (technological change) presented findings internally, with main results expected in Period 3. WP4’s insights will support WP6, 7, and 8, analysing globalisation’s effects on gender and regional disparities. WP5 examined migrant labour in Europe, highlighting gender issues. WP2 progressed on datasets for WP6, where an initial study linked technological and trade changes to declining fabrication jobs in Western Europe. WP7 and WP8 are in early phases, focusing on scenario building. Initial results were presented at the Scientific Conference in Agder, which was well-attended and recognized by the European Commission for its exemplary social media outreach. Other EU projects are now consulting us. Project instruments (newsletter, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, website) have strong European exposure. Scientific publications are progressing, with the first expected in peer-reviewed journals in the third reporting period. Several reports have been updated and uploaded.
Period 3
In the third period, the major part of the project results have been delivered. Our project focused on finalising, reports and presentations. We have presented results to an audience of more than 12.000 persons. All the 30 deliverables have been submitted in time. We are continuously working on our impact. Our twitter, bluesky, LinkedIn, website have attracted more than 120.000 views. Our main results are going to be published in a book that Edward Elgar Publishers will bring out in September 2025. A first draft is in the EU Portal. The project team has been engaged in policy advice (17 requests by policymakers), 750 persons have been addressed in our own events (conferences, webinars). The third review report is submitted in time for the final review.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

For the first outcome identified above, we have delivered project datasets, improving database quality. Initial analyses confirm new relationships and findings. GI-NI has enhanced understanding of technological change, globalisation, inequality, and skills. Reports D2.1 and D2.2 aligned key concepts with EU and international databases, identifying data gaps and improving measurement frameworks. Our analysis of regional-level data highlights accessibility issues, influencing discussions on improving micro-data collection for firms, workers, and citizens.
We have actively engaged leading institutions and policymakers through CEPS Ideas Labs, the GI-NI Scientific Conference, and our Final Conference. Our research highlights the complexity of labour market transformations, showing how digitalisation and automation create both upskilling and downgrading effects. Labour mobility can drive wage increases in some regions while creating challenges elsewhere. Robotics and AI contribute to skill mismatches, underscoring the need for new workforce adaptation policies.
Beyond academia, GI-NI has shaped European policy discussions on skills and inequality. With 30 publications, eight policy briefs, a Policy Guide on the Future of Skills and Inequality, and in the final book, we provide evidence-based labour market strategies. We have advised Dutch ministries, Hungarian trade unions, and EU networks (EUWIN, Bridges 5.0 Industry 5.0) on globalisation and labour market shifts. Our collaboration with DG RTD and the Community of Practice on Industry 5.0 supports the EU’s innovation and skills agendas. A key achievement has been launching CoP I5.0 prioritizing inclusive, evidence-based upskilling policies.
GI-NI’s influence extends globally, collaborating with the ILO, UNESCO, and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on Industry 5.0 policies. Our Policy Guide and Strategy (D8.3 and 4) outlines strategies for international workforce transformation. The final book consolidates these insights, promoting a data-driven approach to addressing inequality and technological change.
GI-NI advances beyond the state of the art by: Improving data frameworks for measuring inequality, globalisation, and skills; Identifying labour market shifts and their implications for skills and mobility; Influencing EU policies through direct engagement with policymakers; Strengthening global cooperation on labour market and skills policies.

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