Translocal figurations of displacement: Connectivity and mobility as solutions to protracted refugee situations.

Millions of people are caught in protracted refugee situations in Africa and the Middle East, but also in Europe, mostly with dim prospects of return, relocation or local integration (“durable solutions”). Current policies by EU and EU-member states aim to reduce inter-regional mobility, combing new legal instruments with humanitarian assistance and economic incentives to support host-state (social- and labor market) integration. However, empirical evidence shows that displaced people make use of highly diverse translocal strategies to promote physical security, safeguard livelihoods and broaden future resettlement options. Familial and social networks play a fundamental role in this endeavor, but it is not yet understood how they function and how they can be supported in order to resolve protracted refugee situations (PRS) and improve refugee-host relations in the medium and long-term. The proposal answers to the MIGRATION-09-2108 call’s main challenge (protracted displacement), thematic- (livelihoods) and regional scope (Europa, ME, Asia, Africa) and outcome & impact (innovation, solutions). The proposal is developed by a consortium with academic, regional and managerial expeirnce in conducting inter-regional (multi-sited) research in demanding environments. The consortium includes strong European research- and policy milieus as well as regional partners: bicc, bonn (project lead) Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) University of Leiden, African Studies Centre University of Leiden, Inst for the Interdisciplinary Study of Law University of Dar es Salam, Centre for the Study of Forced Migration University of Sussex Centre of Migraiton Research (SCMR) Artistotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Spatial Planning and Development International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMDP) International and European Forum on Migration (FIERI) Institut français du Proche-Orient (ifpo)