The MATILDE Matrix (data collection framework)
This output is a data collection framework, that provides guidance for multilevel (EU-aggregate, national, regional and local level) and multidimensional (social, economic and territorial) impact assessments of migration.
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Output Description
The MATILDE Matrix is a mixed method data collection framework to comprehensively assess the impact of third country nationals (TCNs) on rural and mountain areas. It provides guidance for multilevel (EU-aggregate, national, regional and local level) and multidimensional (social, economic and territorial) impact assessments of migration.
The MATILDE Matrix combines migration-specific indicators with indicators on economic growth, employment, access to services and indicators that consider the urban/rural and mountain linkages and the transformations brought about in rural/mountain regions as a result of the migration processes. It does not cover irregular migration.
The Matrix is organised around dimensions and sub-dimensions, which are clearly defined and examined through targeted indicators (around 70 indicators).
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- Spatial distribution of TCNs: this dimension is a key starting point to assess the impact of TCNs, as it provides basic background information that allows one to quantify and qualify the stocks and trends of TCNs in MATILDE regions. The spatial distribution dimension includes several sub-dimensions: current spatial patterns of TCNs in and within the region, current socio-demographic structures of TCNs in and within the region, predominance of nationalities of TCNs in and within the region, new immigration destination, the attractiveness of the region for migrants.
- Social dimensions include social polarization, social cohesion, active participation and citizenship rights, access to and quality of services.
- Economic dimensions include welfare, economic growth, impact on national and regional labour markets, productivity and innovation inside organisations and companies, development of entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship, impact of COVID crisis on social entrepreneurship.
- Territorial dimensions include interaction between urban and rural/mountain areas, physical transformations of space, sense of belonging to the place, negotiations and conflicts between different groups, visual re-presentations of the territory, creation and re-creation of boundaries, territorial inequalities, environmental transformation, internal and external accessibility.
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Examples of indicators for the spatial distribution of third country nationals include:
- Share of TNCs as a percentage of total population
- Number of TCNs
- Age groups of TCNs
- Educational background of TCNs
- Cumulative migration balance of foreigners
Examples of indicators for the social impact dimensions include:
- % of TCNs at risk of poverty
- Spatial segregation of TCNs
- Income inequality across socio-economic groups
- Unemployment rate
- Young people neither in employment nor in education and training (NEET rates)
- Immigrant employability
- Civic participation/engagement
Examples of indicators for the economic impact dimensions include:
- Share of migrant workers by activity sectors
- Migrants running, or employed by, social enterprises and organisations in rural and mountain areas
- Share of social enterprises and organisations that are mainly aimed at migrants in rural and mountain areas by sector of activity
- Change of the activities of social enterprises in order to tackle the new COVID crisis
- Job opportunities by field: welfare, social enterprises, other
- Proportion of people in primary and tertiary education by migration status or migration background
- Share of public housing by migration status or migration background of the household
Examples of indicators for the territorial impact dimensions include:
- Flow of people (TCNs and migration professionals, e.g. Social workers, teachers...)
- Transformation of the built environment
- Attachment to the local dimension developed by different communities
- Observable socio-cultural, administrative, physical boundaries produced, changed, removed
- Inequalities within the territory in terms of distribution of local resources
- Travel time by car to nearest service of general interest
The data sources for the Matrix are:
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The MATILDE database collects indicators of TCNs as well as three dimensions of spatial features (territorial, socioeconomic, and infrastructure development). The database presents a first selection of indicators to be used for assessing the impact of TCNs on rural and mountain regions. The indicators of this database feed into the MATILDE matrix, which is enriched with further indicators.
The MATILDE database consists of two parts:
- A table database in excel format to calculate variables and conduct a cluster analysis for the classification of the regions (NUTS 3, NUTS 2 and national level).
- A geodatabase in ‘.gdb’ format using Geographical Information System (GIS) technology. The geodatabase is used for the creation of thematic maps of the MATILDE regions.
The structure of the provided metadata is based on an example of the ESPON M4D Project from 2012, which was used as a template and is in line with the INSPIRE directive.
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- EU data sources (e.g. EUROSTAT, ESPON)
- European Social Survey (ESS-ERIC)
- International agencies (e.g. UNHCR, IOM, OECD)
- National Statistical Offices in MATILDE countries
- Statistical Offices on regional and local scale (e.g. municipal offices)
Qualitative data/information will also be collected through qualitative techniques.
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In-depth interviews and focus group discussions at national/regional/local levels, direct observations at local level and participatory action research for the collection of information on dimensions that are not easy to quantify, covering social impacts (e.g. social cohesion, social polarisation) economic impacts (e.g. development of entrepreneurship and impact of COVID on social entrepreneurship) and territorial impacts (e.g. interactions between urban and rural/mountain areas, sense of belonging to the place, process of negotiation/conflict between different populations, creation and re-creation of boundaries).
The MATILDE Matrix structure consists of:
- an overview of data sources on different scales based on a screening conducted in advance;
- indicators for impact assessment and the rationale behind their identification;
- data related issues (availability of data, comparability across countries and regions, availability of time series, lack of data and possible solutions, etc.);
- limitations and challenges of the set of indicators identified.
Once the data collection is concluded, individual indicators are revised and potentially compiled into composite indicator(s) to provide a synthetic overview that summarises complex and multidimensional impacts resulting from migration processes to rural and mountain regions.
Relevance for monitoring and evaluation of the CAP
The MATILDE matrix is used in the context of this project for the assessment of territorial, economic and social impacts of migration in the case study regions. Its data and indicators can be used by the participant countries for the evaluation of impacts of CAP interventions related to social inclusion and local development. As it is a data collection framework, it can be expanded with more data and indicators to cover more regions/countries.
The multidimensional (social, economic and territorial) approach used to analyse impacts can be very useful for thematic CAP evaluations in the area of social inclusion, territorial cohesion or quality of life. In addition, it offers a valuable methodological approach for data collection relevant for balanced territorial development, based on quantitative sources at multiple levels (local, regional, national, EU and international) and qualitative sources using participatory approaches. For example, the territorial dimension of the MATILDE Matrix is very relevant for LEADER evaluations, which can use the quantitative and qualitative data to assess rural poverty and, in particular, focus on migrants as a specific social group. Although LEADER evaluations do not currently focus on migrants, the evolution of migrant flows into Europe implies that this issue may acquire more importance in the future.
MATILDE is looking at rural remote mountainous regions and why they receive an important flow of immigrants.
Relevance of the output per CAP Objectives
- Specific Objective 8 – Vibrant rural areas
Additional output information
Data collection systems used:
- Eurostat
- National Statistics
- ESPON database
- OECD database
Type of output:
- New / improved data for M&E
- New indicators
- Methodology
Associated evaluation approaches:
- Desk research
- Data analysis
- Impact evaluation ex post
- Impact evaluation ongoing
Spatial scale:
- Regional
Project information

Migration Impact Assessment to Enhance Integration and Local Development in European Rural and Mountain Areas
MATILDE aims to:
- Examine how migration impacts local development and territorial cohesion in European rural and mountain regions, as well as to improve integration and local development.
- Improve knowledge on the social and economic development potential of Third Country Nationals (TCNs)
- Assess the positive aspects of migration, notably its potential to trigger development in the medium and long run especially in remote areas, where it can operate as a counter-process to depopulation and economic decline.
- Elaborate proposals concerning the redistribution of resources to rural and mountain areas, while promoting them as valuable places to live and fundamental resources for the entire continent
Project’s timeframe: 2020 – 2023
Contacts of project holder:
- Andrea Membretti, Scientific Head
- ussi P. Laine, Project Coordinator
- ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTO (University of Eastern Findland) (info@matilde-migration.eu)
CORDIS database: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/870831Open link in new windowOpen link in new window
Territorial coverage: Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden