Existing migration theories focus on the push and pull factors. Of course, economic, social and political factors are central push factors, explaining how aspirations to migrate are formed. How places are imagined or understood to be desirable or attractive is just as important, especially if there are certain false narratives that can influence decisions on migrating. This EU-funded PERCEPTIONS project will focus on people’s perception. The project will identify misperceptions of the European Union abroad. It will research social media and new communication networks in the distribution of narratives and the myths circulating about the EU. It will develop policy recommendations and action plans. Specifically, the main objectives of the PERCEPTIONS project are to (1) identify narratives, images and perceptions of Europe held by migrants and people who intend to migrate, (2) investigate how different narratives could lead to problems due to a mismatch of expectation and reality, to migrants and even to national security; and (3) create toolkits of creative and innovative measures to react or even counteract on distorted information, considering social, societal and structural aspects.

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