Enhancing the capacity and knowledge in the field of ethical recruitment and promoting regular channels of labour migration to Poland in response to labour market needs
The project “Enhancing the capacity and knowledge in the field of ethical recruitment and promoting regular channels of labour migration to Poland in response to labour market needs” is implemented by the International Organization for Migration in partnership with the University of Warsaw – Centre of Migration Research under the European Funds for Social Development 2021–2027 programme. The project is co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus.
The project commenced on 1 February 2026 and will be implemented until 31 October 2028.
A rapidly ageing and shrinking population, combined with labour shortages in certain sectors, constitutes a significant barrier to development and a challenge for employers. As of the end of June 2025, third-country nationals accounted for 6.6% of the total workforce (Statistics Poland). An integral component of labour migration to Poland is the international recruitment process. This process is highly complex, involving multiple stakeholders operating within different legal systems and socio-economic contexts in both countries of origin and destination. This dynamic creates a dual challenge: ensuring the protection of migrant workers and preventing their exploitation, while simultaneously addressing urgent labour market needs. Existing data and analyses remain fragmented, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach.
This project responds to the above challenges. Its objective is to enhance knowledge on labour migration to Poland, develop solutions for the Polish public administration based on reliable and in-depth expertise in the field of ethical recruitment of skilled workers from third countries in response to labour market needs, and ensure the protection of the rights of migrants.
The project is implemented in cooperation and consultation with the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy.
The project is addressed to the Polish public administration, third-country nationals, public employment services, social dialogue institutions, employment agencies, employers, social partners, sectoral organisations, the National Labour Inspectorate, local government units, as well as non-governmental and international organisations.
The first activity of the project involves analysing the migration potential of selected third countries, reviewing the experiences of highly developed countries in managing labour migration, and assessing the costs and benefits of Poland’s participation in the EU Talent Pool and EU Talent Partnerships initiatives. Based on the results, a preliminary model of a recruitment process for workers from third countries, tailored to Poland’s labour market needs, will be proposed.
Another activity will include the design and publication of brochures and information leaflets for third-country nationals on living and working conditions in Poland and on the Polish labour market.
Based on research identifying countries with the highest migration potential to Poland, three countries will be selected for study visits aimed at establishing or strengthening cooperation between Poland and countries of origin of labour migrants.
The project will also include an analysis of recruitment practices of Polish employers hiring third-country nationals. Based on the findings, recommendations will be developed for the public administration on supporting reliable employers in ethical recruitment, and the recruitment model developed in the first phase will be further refined.
Another activity will be the organisation of recruitment fairs in two third countries with the participation of Polish employers. These countries will be selected from among the three previously identified as having the highest migration potential.
At the final stage of the project, an ex-post evaluation will be conducted to consolidate the results, verify best practices, and define a long-term strategy for managing sustainable labour migration. As a result, a final model of international ethical recruitment to Poland, together with a set of recommendations ready for implementation, will be proposed.
The above activities will contribute to achieving the following results:
- Identification of potential countries of origin of migrant workers to Poland and provision of in-depth and reliable knowledge to the public administration on experiences and best practices in international recruitment, forming a basis for migration and labour market policy development.
- Improved access to reliable information for individuals planning or undertaking labour migration to Poland, including migration pathways, working conditions and living conditions — reducing the risk of exploitation by dishonest actors.
- Enhanced knowledge of the Polish public administration on international recruitment processes, including employers’ best practices and recommended measures supporting ethical recruitment and the protection of the rights of recruited workers.
- Provision of practical and verified tools to the public administration, ready for implementation, to optimise international recruitment processes, ensure the protection of migrants’ rights, and provide systematic, long-term support to employers.
Project value: PLN 2,300,000.00
EU funding contribution: PLN 1,897,960.00
Funding for the University of Warsaw as project partner: PLN 832,619.73, including EU funding amounting to PLN 687,077.79.
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Data publikacji: 31.03.2026
Data aktualizacji: 13.05.2026
Duration
2026 - 2028
Source of funding
European Funds for Social Development 2021–2027 Programme. The project is co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus.
Partners
Lead Partner: International Organization for Migration
Partner: University of Warsaw
