PLATFORM FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS ASBL

Their core work

PICUM is a Brussels-based NGO that advocates for the rights of undocumented migrants in Europe, translating on-the-ground knowledge about irregular migration into policy-relevant research inputs. In EU-funded projects, they serve as a civil society bridge: connecting academic migration research to real-world populations and ensuring findings are grounded in the lived realities of undocumented people. Their contribution to consortia is primarily expert knowledge in migration governance, asylum policy, and the political and social dimensions of irregular migration. They participate in research platforms and training networks where their advocacy experience and networks with affected communities add credibility and practical context that academic partners cannot supply alone.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

With only two projects in a narrow 2018–2023 window, meaningful evolution is difficult to establish — but a detectable shift exists. Their earlier engagement (ReSOMA, 2018–2020) was oriented toward policy-facing research infrastructure: a social platform for consolidating knowledge on migration and asylum aimed at practitioners and policymakers. Their subsequent involvement in MOVES (2019–2023) reflects engagement with a more academic, historically grounded lens — covering colonialism, modernity, and cultural representation of migration. This suggests a broadening from pure policy advocacy toward participation in interdisciplinary research that contextualizes migration historically and culturally.

PICUM appears to be extending its reach from direct policy advocacy into academic consortia exploring the deeper historical and cultural roots of migration — making them an increasingly useful partner for humanities and social science research projects.

How they like to work

PICUM has never led an H2020 project — in both cases they joined as participant or third-party partner, which is consistent with their NGO profile: they contribute specialized civil society expertise rather than research infrastructure or coordination capacity. Despite this supporting role, their consortium footprint is notably large: 30 unique partners across 8 countries from just 2 projects, suggesting they are embedded in well-connected, multi-partner networks. Working with PICUM means gaining a credible civil society voice and direct links to migrant communities, but not a project management function.

PICUM has collaborated with 30 unique partners across 8 countries through only 2 projects — an unusually dense network for an organization of this size, reflecting the large consortium structures typical of CSA and MSCA-ITN funding schemes. Their network is European in scope, centered on migration research institutions, social science faculties, and civil society organizations.

What sets them apart

PICUM is the only H2020-active organization in this dataset with a mandate specifically focused on undocumented and irregular migrants — a politically sensitive and underserved population that most research institutions cannot engage with directly. Consortium builders working on migration, asylum, or social inclusion topics gain immediate credibility and community access by including PICUM. Their Brussels location also places them in proximity to EU institutions, which is an asset for policy-impact and dissemination activities.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ReSOMA
  A Coordination and Support Action that built a shared European research platform on migration and asylum — PICUM's only funded project, where they received the full EUR 132,250 EC contribution as a formal participant.
• MOVES
  An MSCA Innovative Training Network connecting migration to historical and cultural theory across colonialism, modernity, and globalization — notable for extending PICUM's engagement into doctoral-level academic research.