‘All is not yet lost here.’ The role of aspirations and capabilities in migration projects of Ukrainian migrants in Poland

ABSTRACT

The paper contributes to the literature on migration within and into the Central and Eastern European region by showing the evolving character of Ukrainian migration to Poland and the different aspirations accompanying the migrants when deciding to leave their country of origin. The paper explores ‘migration’ and ‘general life’ aspirations that Ukrainian migrants pursued through migration and shows their role in migration projects that, along with their capabilities, impact the process of integration and integration outcomes. I draw on in-depth interviews with migrants from Ukraine who plan to circulate, settle in Poland, return to Ukraine or move to another country. The results indicate that the general aspirations of the research participants encompass better income, employment in line with education and settlement, while the most significant capabilities consist of legal status, translating human capital into labour market opportunities and language proficiency. Finally, the study revealed the combination of the instrumental and intrinsic dimensions of Ukrainian migrants’ mobility that go beyond economic rationality.

KEYWORDS:

• Ukrainians
• motivations
• settlement intentions
• circular migration
• integration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 ‘The economic integration of immigrants in a country in the intermediate phase of the migration cycle – Poland versus selected EU countries’

2 For more on Respondent Driven Sampling surveys see e.g. Górny and Napierała (2016).

3 According to the UNHCR, by August 2019 (when the presented study was completed) there were 1.5 million internally displaced and conflict-affected persons in Ukraine.

4 The simplified procedure was launched into Polish law in 2006, related to the agricultural sector, and in 2007 to all others. As of 1 January 2018, the simplified system of employing foreigners consists of declarations on entrusting work to foreigners from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine are Russia and seasonal work permits available to all groups of foreigners and allowing them to work for nine months per year in selected sectors (agriculture and seasonal food and accommodation services). As of 29 January 2022, work on the basis of declarations of entrusting work to a foreigner is possible for up to 24 months.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Science Centre Poland [grant number 2014/14/E/HS4/00387].