Intra-EU mobility and its impacts for social and economic systems
Specific Challenge
Free movement is not only a fundamental principle of the European single market, but also a fundamental right of European citizens entitling them to move freely across borders and reside anywhere in the EU. With the 2004 and 2007 enlargements and, more recently, with the lifting in 2014 of the last transitional restrictions on free movement of Eastern Europeans to move to the EU-15, the issue of intra-EU mobility, and particularly the mobility of EU citizens, has become heavily politicised. Negative portrayals of internal migrants, whether EU citizens or third country nationals (TCNs), in terms of economic and social costs are prevalent in the media and have also been widely used in national and European electoral campaigns.
Scope
The research to address this challenge should in particular focus on the following key dimensions. Proposals can comprehensively address one dimension or combine them. They may include additional aspects which are relevant to addressing the specific challenge.
1) Social and economic impact of intra-EU mobility
2) Perceptions on and politicisation of intra-EU mobility and representation in the media
The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the order of EUR 2.5 million for each dimension would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. This does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.
Expected Impact
Research will considerably enhance the knowledge base on the socio-economic impact of intra-EU mobility in general and on national welfare systems in particular. Projects will inform on the necessity of any additional regulation on intra-EU mobility and develop practical solutions. Research should make recommendations on how sending countries can harness the talents and resources of their citizens abroad. Research will reveal whether and to what extent there is synchronicity or divergence between the socio-economic effects of intra-EU migration and its perceptions and politicisation.
