Immigrant integration in small and mediumsized towns and rural areas: local policies and policymaking relations in Austria

Working Paper No. 3 / 2002 ( Austria)

This report examines multi-level governance dynamics, integration policies targeting post-2014 migrants and their implementation in four localities – a small town, a medium-sized town, and two and rural localities in Austria. Based on fieldwork (interviews and an online survey) in each of the selected municipalities, and, where necessary in district capitals and other surrounding localities and complemented by more limited interviews at the provincial and national level and by a document analysis of relevant policy documents and legislation, local media and secondary literature, the report provides an overview of 1) national and regional integration policies targeting post-2014 migrants in Austria; 2) policymaking relations among the key actors involved in these policy processes in the four localities and key features of policy networks within which these actors interact; 3) how these actors perceive and define integration.