Research Project S01

Sharing Experience: Migration Trends in Selected Applicant Countries and Lessons Learned from the 'New Countries of Immigration' in the EU and Austria. Poland.

Project Manager for the CEFMR part: Izabela Koryś

The project has been granted by the European Commission to the IOM Vienna and partially (Polish case study) subcontracted via IOM Warsaw to CEFMR.

The overall purpose of this research was to present an analysis of the impact of migration on the societies in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, and Bulgaria. Such analysis was prepared for each country, building on the historical background, statistical data from the past five years (1997 to 2001), as well as on the legal and administrative provisions with regard to migration and migration management, analysis showing impact of migration on these societies, as well as the responses / reaction of these societies to the inflow of foreigners.

In the first stage a review and analysis of relevant literature, documentation, and statistical data was done. The aim in this first phase was to provide a compact but comprehensive introduction into the migratory situation of the country. The development of legislative and administrative structures, economic and social implications, as well as issues of public opinion and integration of migrants have been looked into. Statistical data and estimations covered the period 1997 to 2001 (reference to earlier periods was made, whereever necessary or relevant), with more recent data where available, employing state and independent sources. In the second stage in-depth interviews with migrants, their communities, NGOs, experts and relevant authorities, etc. has been carried out.

Based on these two sources an outline of migration situation was prepared for each country separately. The CEFMR was responsible for the Polish report (see the CEFMR Working Paper 5/2003, as well as the report Poland: Dilemmas of a Sending and Receiving Country, published by the IOM in the series "Migration Trends").