Exploring the interfaces
between
families, institutions, and mobility.
EIFME is an independent European institute examining how family mobility reshapes access to early education and learning pathways across Europe.
What EIFME is
EIFME is an independent European institute exploring how family mobility interacts with early education and learning pathways across Europe.
Across Europe, more families live, work, or move across borders temporarily or repeatedly. These movements often intersect with kindergartens, early childhood education settings, and schools that are designed for long term, stable attendance.
EIFME focuses on this intersection.
It observes how mobile family realities meet local education systems in practice, especially where expectations, processes, and time horizons do not fully align.
EIFME conducts independent qualitative research and comparative analysis. Its role is not to offer solutions or advice, but to help make complex situations easier to understand.
What EIFME looks at
EIFME pays attention to situations where education related decisions must be made under uncertainty.
This includes, for example:
- short or medium term stays in early education or school settings
- unclear or changing time horizons
- transitions into and out of institutions
- mismatches between family expectations and institutional structures
Rather than evaluating outcomes, EIFME looks at how decisions, processes, and interactions are experienced while they are unfolding.
What EIFME does
EIFME:
- conducts independent, qualitative research across European contexts
- observes interactions between mobile families and education institutions
- analyses recurring patterns, tensions, and mismatches
- develops comparative frames and typologies to make complexity clearer
- provides reference points rather than recommendations
- helps articulate questions that are often present but hard to name
EIFME focuses on orientation and sense making, not answers.
What EIFME is not
EIFME is not:
- a placement or referral service
- a relocation or concierge provider
- a coaching or counselling practice
- a school or kindergarten directory
- a ranking or recommendation platform
- an advocacy organisation or campaign
EIFME does not evaluate educational quality, recommend institutions, or act on behalf of families or providers.
Governance
EIFME operates as an independent research initiative.
Its work is conducted by a small, independent research team with backgrounds in social research, education, and European mobility contexts.
EIFME does not represent institutions, employers, or commercial interests.
Contact
For research related enquiries only
contact@eifme.org