Migration and Communication: Information and Awareness-Raising Campaigns in Countries of Origin and Transit. Austrian National EMN Conference 2019 Briefing Paper
Vienna: European Migration Network, National Contact Point Austria (2020), 6 pp.
"Information and awareness-raising campaigns for (potential) migrants in third countries constitute a central element of current migration strategies, both at the European and national level. However, little is known about the impact of these campaigns and how they influence migratory behaviour.
Information and behaviour change: In light of these limitations, we can learn from findings of rigorous evaluations in other fields, such as behavioural economics, and apply those to how information and awareness-raising can influence behaviour. Therefore, information and awareness-raising campaigns must be built on a contextual understanding of how people form beliefs and expectations and how these are transformed into decisions.
Randomized evaluations: Researchers, donors, EU Institutions and Member States are increasingly aware of the importance of creating rigorous evidence and using this evidence to inform policy decisions. To isolate the impact of information and awareness-raising campaigns on migratory behaviour, randomized evaluations are being implemented by some selected researchers and institutions.
Lessons learned: Evaluations presented during the conference indicate that peer-to-peer information campaigns have the potential to raise awareness about the risks and opportunities associated with migration. Another example shows that information on the chances of obtaining a legal status in Europe impacts the inclination to migrate. Rigorous evaluations also shed light on how information campaigns compare against other policy interventions, such as providing economic opportunities at the local level. Most evaluations find that migrants and potential migrants respond to reliable and trustworthy information.
Social networks: Beside rigorours evidence, which is still rare, qualitative evaluations suggest that campaigns should be built on trust: this can be achieved by using personal or peer-to-peer communication channels, a positive narrative, and messages of legal alternatives rather than deterrence. Finally, in order to create contextappropriate messages and to identify the right target group, diaspora communities and local experts are important stakeholders in the design and implementation of campaigns." (Main take-aways, page 2)
Information and behaviour change: In light of these limitations, we can learn from findings of rigorous evaluations in other fields, such as behavioural economics, and apply those to how information and awareness-raising can influence behaviour. Therefore, information and awareness-raising campaigns must be built on a contextual understanding of how people form beliefs and expectations and how these are transformed into decisions.
Randomized evaluations: Researchers, donors, EU Institutions and Member States are increasingly aware of the importance of creating rigorous evidence and using this evidence to inform policy decisions. To isolate the impact of information and awareness-raising campaigns on migratory behaviour, randomized evaluations are being implemented by some selected researchers and institutions.
Lessons learned: Evaluations presented during the conference indicate that peer-to-peer information campaigns have the potential to raise awareness about the risks and opportunities associated with migration. Another example shows that information on the chances of obtaining a legal status in Europe impacts the inclination to migrate. Rigorous evaluations also shed light on how information campaigns compare against other policy interventions, such as providing economic opportunities at the local level. Most evaluations find that migrants and potential migrants respond to reliable and trustworthy information.
Social networks: Beside rigorours evidence, which is still rare, qualitative evaluations suggest that campaigns should be built on trust: this can be achieved by using personal or peer-to-peer communication channels, a positive narrative, and messages of legal alternatives rather than deterrence. Finally, in order to create contextappropriate messages and to identify the right target group, diaspora communities and local experts are important stakeholders in the design and implementation of campaigns." (Main take-aways, page 2)
