Abstract

In the master’s thesis on which this article was based, the influence of e-inclusion initiatives on citizenship among migrants in Antwerp was investigated. The central research question is accordingly: What is the influence of e-inclusion initiatives on citizenship among migrants in Antwerp? In an attempt to answer this research question, a qualitative study consisting of 22 interviews with migrants who are former e-inclusion trainees was performed. Respondents who participated in the course five years ago were selected in order to be able to determine an influence of the course on their citizenship practices. The influence of the courses on practices of citizenship, namely employment, social networks and public participation was investigated. Moreover, the subjective experience of citizenship by migrants was investigated. The results of this research showed that respondents experience more opportunities in terms of employment and social networks after following the courses. Respondents also proved to be better in maintaining themselves in the bureaucratic system. The influence on community life turned out to be minimal. Anyhow, the respondents proclaimed that they consider themselves as a fully-fledged citizen of Antwerp. Based on the findings on each of these aspects, policy measures were proposed to improve the Antwerp e-inclusion policy.

How to Cite:

Diels, E., (2019) ““If you put in the effort, you will get ahead.”: een onderzoek naar de invloed van e-inclusie-initiatieven op burgerschap bij migranten in Antwerpen”, Sociologos 40(2-3&4), 181–202. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/sociologos.87008