Do migrants navigate their choices based on policies or realities of their lives? On 6 March 2026, the European Migration Network (EMN) Slovakia, together with the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) Europe and the Slovak Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Forecasting, co-organised a policy event From Evidence to Action: Understanding Migration Choices in Times of Change. The halfday exchange brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to examine how people make migration decisions and how policies shape these choices.
The event drew on new findings from the PACES project , a Horizon Europe – funded research initiative running from 2023 to 2026. PACES examines how societal transformations, life experiences, and migration policies influence decisions to migrate or to stay . It also explores how public attitudes and policy interventions interact with these decision-making processes across different regions. Understanding how migration decisions are made n Migration policies are designed to regulate movement and influence choices – but how well do we understand the actual motivations, constraints, and information people rely on when deciding whether to migrate? n The event’s evidence session presented new findings from PACES fieldwork conducted across Europe and Africa. Researchers highlighted differences between policy intentions and real-life decision-making patterns, including insights into: n nn migration aspirations along the journey, nn nn how social norms shape decisions to migrate or stay, nn nn public opinion on migration policies in several EU Member States, and nn nn the real-world influence of information campaigns and return policies. nn n Speakers included experts from the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the University of Alicante, and the University of Milan, with moderation by PACES Principal Investigator Simona Vezzoli. Policy at the crossroads: bridging evidence and practice n Policies matter – just not always in the way policymakers expect. A policy discussion featuring representatives of IOM Slovakia , the Slovak Academy of Sciences , and the Trnava Support Centre for Foreigners explored how Slovakia and other European countries can better integrate evidence into migration and integration policy design. Panelists reflected on: nn balancing policy goals with lived realities, nnn the role of local-level integration services and actors, nnn aligning public expectations with effective migration management, and nnn opportunities for cooperation between research and policymaking communities. nn The debate underscored the need for research-informed approaches at a time of rapid societal change and shifting migration dynamics. Strengthening evidence-based migration governance n The Bratislava event highlighted the importance of dialogue between researchers and policymakers. By bringing new evidence to the forefront and creating a platform for discussion, EMN Slovakia and its partners contribute to strengthening evidence-based migration governance in Slovakia and across Europe. n About the PACES Project n PACES (Making Migration and Migration Policy Decisions Amidst Societal Transformations) is a 40 month project funded by Horizon Europe. It operates across several European and African countries, analysing both: nn migration decision-making (in Algeria, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Niger, Tunisia, Italy, Slovakia, Spain), and nnn migration policy decision-making (EU level and selected Member States) nn The project generates original datasets, academic articles, scenario workshops, heuristic tools, and policy briefs, all aimed at helping policymakers better incorporate evidence into migration policy design. Event AGENDA nPresentations from the 1st panel: 1. part of the presentation, 2. part of the presentation, 3. part of the presentation, 4. part of the presentation nShort videos from the event: PACES project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Photo © International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2026.