Final Policy Meeting

On 25 March 2026, the Joint Policy Meeting on “Irregular Migrants in Europe: Public Attitudes, Protection Needs and EU Responses” took place at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels. The event was jointly organised by the Horizon Europe projects I-CLAIM, DignityFIRM and PRIME, bringing together policymakers, researchers and civil society representatives to exchange insights and discuss policy implications on irregular migration in Europe.

The programme was structured around three thematic panels addressing key policy questions. The first panel examined Europeans’ attitudes and policy preferences towards irregular migrants and their implications for policymaking. The second panel focused on the vulnerabilities faced by irregular migrants and the policies needed to ensure effective access to fundamental rights. The third panel explored the role of the European Union in responding to irregular migration, with contributions from representatives of EU institutions, academia and civil society.

The event also featured a screening of the documentary The Others, developed in dialogue with the DignityFIRM project, highlighting the often invisible labour conditions underpinning parts of Europe’s agricultural sector.

By fostering dialogue across sectors and disciplines, the meeting provided a platform to reflect on evidence-based policy responses and to strengthen cooperation between research and policy communities working on migration governance in Europe.