How, if at all, does access to development initiatives including social protection programmes influence migration? We collected qualitative and quantitative data from five migrant groups (potential migrants, transit migrants, asylum seekers, returnees and family members), with more than 3,000 respondents participating in the research. The two resulting reports on Afghanistan and Nigeria deliver policy-relevant and actionable insights on the connections between migration drivers and the influences of development and social protection programmes. 

We found that effective development and social protection programming can influence migration decisions, even during times of conflict and instability. However, these programmes often do not prioritize people with migration plans. Only a small number of people we surveyed in fact had access to development and/or social protection programmes.

Combined with a lack of knowledge of what programmes exist, governments and international actors are currently not maximizing the benefits of these support programmes. Awareness was minimal across all migrant groups and most migrants do not hear about/understand how programming may be relevant to them. Current aid communications methods do not work for this purpose. 

Want to find out more? Read our reports on Afghanistan and Nigeria, and check out the supporting desk reviews!