MAFE · Migration between Africa and Europe

African migration has become a major concern for European policy makers. New policy measures are under development, but they rely on a poor understanding of the underlying causes and consequences of African migration. The MAFE project aims to overcome this lack of understanding, in order to improve the quality of migration policies. This involves three interrelated objectives. Objective 1. Create a unique data set on Afro-European migration Comparable data will be collected in both sending and receiving countries, i.e. in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. The project aim is to replicate a survey under way on Senegalese migration with new populations, i.e. Congolese and Ghanaians. The project methodology is built upon key studies on international migration in the world and will create unique data that is representative, longitudinal and multi-level. Objective 2: Provide new analyses through innovative techniques Using this new data, the MAFE project will employ methods of longitudinal data analysis to provide policy makers with new insights into the changing patterns and determinants of migration and circulation between Africa and Europe, as well as on the socio-economic changes associated with international migration. Objective 3: Create a policy dialogue MAFE fully integrates a process of policy dialogue in its design. Various stakeholders have already been consulted and will follow the development of the project. By using robust evidence, it will be possible to enhance the management of migration at both national and European levels. The MAFE database will be made available for the research community at the end of the project. Underpinning this project is the recognition that migration is not simply a one-way flow from Africa to Europe. Rather, return migration, circulation, and transnational actions are significant and need to be recognised in policy design.