The Migration and Integration initiative aimed to strengthen cooperation among knowledge communities in the Nordic countries and the United Kingdom, addressing the complex challenges and opportunities of migration and integration. Between 2019 and 2024, seven interdisciplinary research projects were funded to generate high-quality, policy-relevant knowledge with impact within and beyond academia.
The projects produced a rich body of empirical and conceptual work. Findings highlighted the structural, cultural, and social dimensions of integration, including the role of education, housing, labour market access, and community networks. Several projects emphasized relational wellbeing, supportive social networks, and inclusive pedagogical practices in fostering belonging and resilience among migrant youth. Others examined spatial segregation, showing how neighbourhood boundaries shape opportunities, discrimination, and mental health. Research on external migration governance traced how African and Middle Eastern actors navigate EU policies, often adapting or resisting them in ways that challenge dominant narratives.
Extensive dissemination ensured findings were accessible and actionable, with over 240 activities reported, including policy briefs, exhibitions, podcasts, films, workshops, and educational resources. Creative approaches included several art exhibitions around the United Kingdom and the Nordics; podcasts and films exploring identity and wellbeing; and educational toolkits and workshops promoting inclusive teaching. Policy briefs informed national and Nordic/EU strategies.
Cross-country collaboration in each project was a hallmark of the initiative. Collaboration between researchers in the Nordic countries and the United Kingdom generated outcomes and impact of greater value than could have been achieved through national efforts alone.
Through co-authored publications, shared data and methodologies, researcher mobility, and joint events, the projects contributed to strengthening the Nordic and British research ecosystem. As an additional element of added value, NordForsk engaged the projects in a report on best practices for supporting Ukrainian refugees and funded the INFLUX project, commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers, to provide research-based guidance on integration.
Overall, the initiative combined academic excellence with societal relevance. Building on this foundation, seven new Nordic–Baltic projects on migration and integration were launched in 2025, with results expected between 2027 and 2029, offering fresh insights and further strengthening regional cooperation.