The National Centre for Social Research (EKKE) has a long tradition in migration research, dating back to its foundation in the late 1950s. Over the decades, its research focus has evolved in step with the transformation of Greek society, from a country of emigration to one of transit, destination, and refugee protection.
In the 1960s and 1970s, EKKE researchers focused their attention on Greek emigration, particularly in Western Europe and the United States. The 1990s brought a shift in focus toward migration into Greece as a country of destination.
By the mid-2000s, migration had become a central pillar of EKKE’s research agenda, with sustained inquiry spanning a broad range of themes: immigrant integration and second-generation migrants, gendered immigration, migration and criminality, labour market discrimination, and immigrant entrepreneurship.
Since 2015, research at EKKE has increasingly focused on refugees and asylum seekers, reflecting Greece’s front-line position in European asylum policy.
Source: REUTERS/ Yannis Behrakis. https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/reuters-yannis-behrakis-wins-war-photogr-idUSRTSRXYG/
EKKE’s newly established Interdisciplinary Migration Research Unit (IMRU) builds on this accumulated expertise, expanding it into new directions with a dual commitment:
- fostering dialogue within the Greek and international research community, and
- making migration research accessible and relevant to the broader public.
Below are some of the key immigration related research projects implemented by EKKE since the early 2010s.
Previous Research (2010 – present day)
ALIAS – AI Large Language Models & Immigration Attitude Surveys
Duration: 2026 – 2027
Funding: Self-funded
GAPs – De-centring the Study of Migrant Returns and Readmission Policies in Europe and Beyond
Duration: 2023 – 2026
Funding: Horizon Europe
HumMingBird – Enhanced Migration Measures from a Multidimensional Perspective
Duration: 2019 – 2024
Funding: Horizon 2020
MILE – Promoting the participation of migrants in the design and implementation of integration policies.
Duration: 2022 – 2023
Funding: EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)
Social Protection Responses to Forced Displacement
Duration: 2020 – 2022
Funding: World Bank Trust Fund
MaxiPAC.eu – Maximising Previously Acquired Competences in Europe
Duration: 2020 – 2022
Funding: EU Erasmus+
From Reception to Integration – Migrant Populations in Greece During and in the Aftermath of the Crisis
Duration: 2019
Funding: EU Joint Research Centre
BRiDGE – Bridge for Researchers in Danger Going to Europe
Duration: 2018 – 2020
Funding: EU Horizon 2020
HELIOS Integration programme – Provision of Integration Courses to Beneficiaries of International Protection
Duration: 2019 – 2020
Funding: EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)
ReCullM – A VET course for Cultural Mediators to address the refugee crisis’ skills needs’
Duration: 2016 – 2018
Funding: EU Erasmus+
MIGHEAL – Health Inequalities among Migrant Population
Duration: 2016 – 2017
Funding: European Economic Area (EEA) Grants
Combating Discrimination in the Field of Entrepreneurship: Women and young Roma and Muslim Immigrants
Duration: 2013 – 2014
Funding: EU DG Progress
Investigation of Different Characteristics in the Epidemiology of Dependence Between Migrant and Greek Users of Toxic Substances
Duration: 2011-2012
Funding: European Integration Fund
Meta-analysis of Research Conducted on Migration in Significant and Relevant Integration Fields (Health, Social Security, Employment, Education, etc.).
Duration: 2011 – 2012
Funding: European Integration Fund
Integration of Second-Generation Immigrants into Greek Society
Duration: 2010 – 2011
Funding: European Integration Fund
