Project Background

Narratives and an understanding of a “common identity” are an effective legitimisation for European integration (Sassatelli, 2015). Furthermore, perceptions, e.g. on human rights and democracy, have an impact on migration (EUMAGINE, policy brief); and feedbacks from migrants back to their country of origin can affect migration both in a positive and negative way (Timmerman, Hemmerechts, & De Clerck 2014b), and, thus, also influence the image or perception of Europe.

Migration is influenced by a number of factors – narratives, perceptions and imaginaries are part of this. Therefore, the project aims to investigate the different perceptions of Europe, as well as the problems that are caused when expectation and reality do not match.

The image of Europe is influenced by a number of imaginations and narratives, and with the ‘Brexit’ vote, the positive idea of the European Union is under re-evaluation within the world. Migration as one of the key challenges in the last years further leads to a re-imagination of the EU. According to Sassatelli (2015), cultural identity is closely connected to various narratives (public, academic, institutional).

In addition, normative influences, as identified by Garip and Asad (2013), describe the influence that previous migrants have on migration aspirations of prospective migrants. Furthermore, European identity is still in the making and heavily contested (ibid.) – as e.g. the mentioned “Brexit” vote shows (Cassidy, Innocenti & Bürkner 2018).

Much research is carried out around the topic of narratives and European identity; however, most of it is focused on strategies for solidarity, changing the narratives about migration, creating an inter-European narrative and strengthening the cultural identity within Europe (e.g. Cantat 2015; Innocenti 2015; Scuzzarello & Kinnvall 2013). PERCEPTIONS, therefore, aims to support first-line practitioners outside of Europe in counteracting on false narratives and correcting skewed images of the EU.

Project Facts

Project Objectives

The main objectives of the PERCEPTIONS project are to (1) identify narratives, images and perceptions of Europe abroad, (2) to investigate how different narratives could lead to problems, expectations that do not meet reality, threats to migrants or host countries in what way; and (3) to create toolkits of creative and innovative measures to react on harmful narratives, considering social and structural aspects. Thus, the following seven objectives have been defined.

RESEARCH the body of scientific literature on the creation and the distribution of place-related narratives with a particular emphasis on their creation and the distribution through social networks and mass media, as well as relevant project outcomes, models and measures.

UNDERSTAND the relevance of positive and negative narratives in relation to the motivation for migration through conducting quantitative and qualitative empirical research, allowing transverse and transnational comparisons.

ANALYSE social media data and mass media to understand how narratives, rumours and images of Europe are spread, investigate novel technologies, as well as secondary data and scenarios, and conduct a network analysis to identify the impact of novel technologies.

DESIGN dynamic new approaches and measures in the form of intuitive toolkits for civil society organisations and development aid organisations in order to support their local activities to deconstruct harmful narratives and enhance the dissemination of other narratives.

LEVERAGE a modular Web Platform including an Open Information Hub to spread knowledge and public materials, as well as public and professional service modules hosting digital solutions with a centralised dashboard.

VALIDATE the outlined materials and measures to ensure the sustainability of the PERCEPTIONS solutions, allowing the flexible and individual adaptation of the toolkits to the specific local, regional or country-specific needs.

DISSEMINATE the PERCEPTIONS solutions by raising awareness, disseminating results in the scientific community, and creating international networks of practitioners working in the field for supporting them with knowledge exchange, training approaches and resources.

Methodology

PERCEPTIONS assesses potential issues related to the security of migrants, as well as host countries, connected to perceptions and narratives of Europe and the EU. For that purpose, the project conducts research on the narratives and the myths that are circulating about the EU in three non-European countries of migrants’ transit (Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia) and four Mediterranean countries of arrival (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain), as well as two countries of transit to Europe (Bulgaria and Kosovo), representing three routes into Europe (Western, Central, and Eastern Mediterranean).

Research is conducted in cooperation with local and international partners in order to find out how the EU is perceived in different contexts, which factors influence these perceptions, and how information is distributed via different channels (e.g. social media, local newspapers).

A comprehensive approach combining quantitative and qualitative research methods clarifies the picture for the exemplary selection of research sites. The outcomes are analysed against the background of scientific literature. Based on the research insights, the consortium will develop a PERCEPTIONS framework model including policy recommendations, action plans and a policy strategy – aligned with the ethical principles of the EU –addressing these challenges through foreign policy on different levels (from bilateral contacts to high-level working groups). Furthermore, this framework will contain validated new methods for practitioners and civil-society organisations in order to support them to present a realistic picture of the EU in these countries.

Desk research & secondary data analysis

Quantitative & qualitative empirical research

Analysis of (social) media & mass media data

Model development

Toolkit development

Testing & validation

Project Impact

The PERCEPTIONS project aims to identify narratives, images and perceptions of the EU held by migrants and persons who intend to migrate and to identify how they could influence migration decisions. It is also aim of the project to identify threats to migrants or host countries connected to certain narratives. Building on these insights, the project develops took its for policymakers on local and EU level, as well as first-line practitioners in direct contact with migrants. To do so, the project carries out theoretical and empirical research and analyses social media and mass media data to create an evidence-based framework containing tools, measures, approaches and policy recommendations. The project, therefore, is of great importance to the EU, which has been faced with an increased amount of migration since 2015 and aims to impact migrants, policymakers and the general public. PERCEPTIONS is expected to have an impact on societal, policy and security levels, and to generate benefits and added value for all stakeholders and users.