Dynamics and Challenges of Migration, Remigration and Immigration in the Republic of Croatia (DinamiRH)

The research focus of the interdisciplinary project proposal is Croatia, which became a member of the EU on July 1, 2013. Croatia has been a kind of basin of migration, remigration and immigration from 1945 to the present day, and the circulation of labor force has continuously been taking place. Taking this into account for the framework of observation, the project activities will focus on the position after the changes caused by Croatia’s entry into the European Union, which are present in the Croatian territory, as well as in the labor market. The said changes were caused by the sudden expansion of access to the labor market in EU countries, but also in Croatia, as well as by the global situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The research base of the planned project activity is migrants, remigrants and immigrants who are active in the Croatian and EU labor markets. In addition to affirming interdisciplinarity and raising the level of scientific excellence, the goals of the project are: the development of a national and regional identity and culture, work and cooperation on activities of national significance, promotion of a culture of equality, and the popularization of science and art.
 

The project includes the following research topics:

1) Dynamics and challenges of migration – the focus of the first research topic is on migration research from 2013 to the recent period, to detect to what extent the positions and reflections of Croatian citizens regarding migration towards the EU have changed, which is the first unique contribution to the research. We will also research “high-skilled” and “brain drain/gain” migrations and circular mobility, which includes the cycle from cheap labor to desirable labor and which is advocated to the greatest extent by EU countries, previously as a source of cheap labor, and now as a source of the required total workforce. The new digital era knows no boundaries of employment and individuals who use the resources of the digital era transcend cultural, political, economic and physical boundaries. It will be investigated to what extent Croatia competes or can compete with western members in terms of knowledge, knowledge transfer, technology, employment and digital nomads through the creation of virtual spheres, virtual mobility and physical non-abandonment of the place of residence, but the possibility of constant change of the work environment. A unique contribution will be the investigation of the question to what extent the digital era can facilitate the establishment of a transnational or supranational identity that the EU needs for political stability and political future.

2) Return migrations – remigration – the focus of the second research topic is on the research of return migrations, experiences of motives to return, opportunities and challenges of returnees as active participants in Croatian society with the aim of promoting the national and general good and the development of the communities to which they return. The dynamics of emigration and remigration between the Republic of Croatia and Germany will be investigated in parallel. Valuable potential will be pointed out in the form of the development of the concept of digital nomads and virtual mobility through the analysis of return migrations. The unique contribution will be the contribution of returnees to the development processes of Croatia, and a model/s of return to the Republic of Croatia will be proposed.

3) Immigration – with and without legal authorization – the focus of the third research topic is on the workforce with permits, as well as those without – unregistered migrants who can create numerous challenges in the Croatian society in terms of social and economic consequences. The following main topics will be investigated: Labor immigration since the entry of the Republic of Croatia into the EU and illegal crossings of the state border of the Republic of Croatia, the impact of modern migrations and people on the move in Croatian society, and socio-political and legislative-normative changes that occur as a result of the control, monitoring and legalization of irregular migration on the country’s territory. The unique contribution is the geographic distribution of migrants within the Croatian national territory and the assessment of the short-term and long-term demographic consequences of labor and illegal migration.

Research associate from the ZRC SAZU is involved in the project as external associate and her research focus is on cross-border labour mobility between Slovenia and Croatia.