Exploring Stakeholder Networks in Irregular Migration: A Visualization of Horizontal and Vertical Cooperation Frameworks

This work provides a comparative analysis and visualization of cooperation frameworks along both horizontal and vertical axes of policymaking in the field of irregular migration. The objective was to map and illustrate stakeholder types, ties and areas of cooperation across various governance levels, including the EU, national, provincial, and local contexts. Social network analysis was chosen for the systematic collection, evaluation and visualization of data. This visual and analytical representation was further enriched by a comparative examination of how these cooperation frameworks are interconnected with data usage, data production, and governance structures, drawing on complementary literature and research findings from the MIrreM project.

The study's findings provide initial insights into stakeholders' vertical and horizontal cooperation within and across different sectors in policy development and implementation, service provision, and knowledge production. The analysis illustrates both the collaborative nature and structural tensions within and between sectors, highlighting the patterns of interaction and the power asymmetries that shape these relationships. Key findings illustrate that stakeholder cooperation in policy development and implementation in the field of irregular migration relies heavily on intrasectoral collaboration within public administration and government, with strong reciprocal relations between academia/research, NGOs/media, and government. However, tensions emerge in funding-related relations, creating information gaps and conflicting objectives, especially within public administration’s vertical relations. In service provision, the findings highlight the importance of horizontal and intrasectoral cooperations, and the relevance of close cooperations between NGOs and public administration, although barriers in information exchange persist. Finally, the knowledge production network shows strong vertical connections, likely influenced by Horizon Europe funding related to irregular migration, which facilitates intensive cooperation across governance levels.

Considering the limitations of this work, particular attention should be paid to its potential value as a starting point for future research to deepen the understanding of cooperation dynamics and their long-term implications. We argue that social network analysis offers valuable insights into stakeholder cooperation patterns in irregular migration. Future research could expand network analysis in the field of irregular migration to capture whole-network interactions, revealing power dynamics and cooperation intensity across governance levels. Investigating key actors’ roles in decision-making and examining gaps in stakeholder relations could enhance understanding of policy development and implementation, service provision and knowledge production in the field of irregular migration.