Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FAiR (Finding Agreement in Return)
Reporting period: 2024-08-01 to 2025-07-31
The FAiR project addresses the enforcement of return and readmission policies which is a contested area of European migration governance. While the EU and its Member States have invested heavily in return enforcement, effectiveness remains low, cooperation with various third countries is limited, and compliance with human rights standards is frequently questioned. Against this background, FAiR investigates the drivers of enforced return, the dynamics of international cooperation, prevalent discourses about return, and the viability of alternatives to return policies.
The overall objective of the project is to generate evidence-based insights that can (a) strengthen the legitimacy and sustainability of return policies, and (b) expand the horizon for more humane and rights-compliant alternatives to return that have considerable public support.
Specifically, FAiR pursues six objectives: (1) engage with the two paradigms of understanding cooperation with return: rational choice and sociological institutionalism and develop a negotiation model to predict actors’ positions and strategies; (2) improve the methods used to analyse Eurostat data and build the Migrant Return Policy Index (MIREX); (3) examine the institutional, political, economic, and social factors shaping cooperation with third countries; (4) identify evidence-based avenues for international cooperation; (5) empirically test the public acceptability and feasibility of alternatives to return; and (6) co-develop policy recommendations with stakeholders.
The project draws on different disciplines and expertise to advance knowledge and inform policy debates on Europe’s return policies.
The overall objective of the project is to generate evidence-based insights that can (a) strengthen the legitimacy and sustainability of return policies, and (b) expand the horizon for more humane and rights-compliant alternatives to return that have considerable public support.
Specifically, FAiR pursues six objectives: (1) engage with the two paradigms of understanding cooperation with return: rational choice and sociological institutionalism and develop a negotiation model to predict actors’ positions and strategies; (2) improve the methods used to analyse Eurostat data and build the Migrant Return Policy Index (MIREX); (3) examine the institutional, political, economic, and social factors shaping cooperation with third countries; (4) identify evidence-based avenues for international cooperation; (5) empirically test the public acceptability and feasibility of alternatives to return; and (6) co-develop policy recommendations with stakeholders.
The project draws on different disciplines and expertise to advance knowledge and inform policy debates on Europe’s return policies.
We have produced several outputs in which we engaged with the two paradigms (rational choice and sociological institutionalism) for understanding cooperation with return. We have challenged rationalist framings and instead advanced an alternative account grounded in norms and values, where cooperation is understood as a process of legitimacy-building. Along these lines, we have also advanced a classification of international return frameworks which includes participatory and coordination dimensions, which are important to assess the legitimacy of these frameworks.
Through desk research, case studies, and over 80 interviews in EU+ and non-EU+ countries we have generated new insights into the incentives and obstacles shaping cooperation with EU return policies.
We have developed innovative methods to improve the analysis of Eurostat return data. We also compiled return policy indicators across 11 EU countries for purposes of feeding into the forthcoming MIREX.
We have conducted a large behavioural experiment in 13 EU+ countries (16,301 responses) testing public attitudes to alternatives to return and return enforcement. Besides this, we have conducted a human rights, social and economic assessment of selected, potentially promising alternatives to return policies in Europe.
Through desk research, case studies, and over 80 interviews in EU+ and non-EU+ countries we have generated new insights into the incentives and obstacles shaping cooperation with EU return policies.
We have developed innovative methods to improve the analysis of Eurostat return data. We also compiled return policy indicators across 11 EU countries for purposes of feeding into the forthcoming MIREX.
We have conducted a large behavioural experiment in 13 EU+ countries (16,301 responses) testing public attitudes to alternatives to return and return enforcement. Besides this, we have conducted a human rights, social and economic assessment of selected, potentially promising alternatives to return policies in Europe.
FAiR has produced important results that could advance our understanding and improve the current EU return governance.
On return and readmission agreements, while the EU has placed considerable emphasis on these agreements, our research reveals that they do not necessarily lead to improved cooperation with returns. This challenges the prevailing assumption that written agreements alone are sufficient to facilitate cooperation, and suggests that more nuanced strategies are needed to enhance collaboration with non-EU countries. In addition, we have also observed that the presence of embassies in third countries is associated with higher returns, which highlights that relational forms of state interaction can matter more than formalized legal agreements.
On discourses, our research contributes to the emerging research that focused on the perspectives from the Global South regarding EU return policies. The findings from this research can shape future debates by encouraging the EU to adopt a more balanced approach that considers the interests and viewpoints of countries outside Europe. This could lead to a shift in the way the EU negotiates return policies, particularly in terms of fostering more equitable and respectful partnerships with the Global South, which also are more likely to be supported by these partners.
On legitimate return and alternatives to return policies, FAiR’s work emphasises the need to consider them as part and parcel of return governance. By doing so, FAiR advances the field by promoting realistic and humane policies that take into account the aspirations and lived experiences of migrants, the interests of their communities and the long-term social cohesion of European societies.
On monitoring forced and voluntary returns, FAiR emphasises the importance of monitoring both forced and voluntary returns as well as post-return outcomes to enhance legitimacy and transparency. By developing guidelines and recommendations, FAiR advances the field by providing tools that promote accountability and ensure respect for human rights throughout the return process.
On return and readmission agreements, while the EU has placed considerable emphasis on these agreements, our research reveals that they do not necessarily lead to improved cooperation with returns. This challenges the prevailing assumption that written agreements alone are sufficient to facilitate cooperation, and suggests that more nuanced strategies are needed to enhance collaboration with non-EU countries. In addition, we have also observed that the presence of embassies in third countries is associated with higher returns, which highlights that relational forms of state interaction can matter more than formalized legal agreements.
On discourses, our research contributes to the emerging research that focused on the perspectives from the Global South regarding EU return policies. The findings from this research can shape future debates by encouraging the EU to adopt a more balanced approach that considers the interests and viewpoints of countries outside Europe. This could lead to a shift in the way the EU negotiates return policies, particularly in terms of fostering more equitable and respectful partnerships with the Global South, which also are more likely to be supported by these partners.
On legitimate return and alternatives to return policies, FAiR’s work emphasises the need to consider them as part and parcel of return governance. By doing so, FAiR advances the field by promoting realistic and humane policies that take into account the aspirations and lived experiences of migrants, the interests of their communities and the long-term social cohesion of European societies.
On monitoring forced and voluntary returns, FAiR emphasises the importance of monitoring both forced and voluntary returns as well as post-return outcomes to enhance legitimacy and transparency. By developing guidelines and recommendations, FAiR advances the field by providing tools that promote accountability and ensure respect for human rights throughout the return process.