Mobility capital formation among forced migrants: experiences of Ukrainian women in Poland

Abstract The increase in Ukrainian migration towards western Europe, particularly Poland, following the escalation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine since 2022, has attracted significant scholarly attention. While existing research has explored various aspects of this phenomenon, little focus has been placed on understanding how forced migrants mobilize their capital while abroad. This article aims to address this gap by applying Joëlle Moret's ‘mobility capital’ concept referring to Ukrainian migrant women in Poland. We delve deeper into this theoretical framework, shedding light on the dynamics of mobility capital formation among forced migrants and identifying the factors influencing this process. The following analysis reveals three critical stages of mobility capital formation: suspended, contingent, and emerging. Each stage is characterized by different levels of readiness to accumulate resources and convert them into different capitals towards various post-migration mobility practices. The findings emphasize the importance of cultural, social, economic, legal, and psychological capital in shaping migrants' mobility capital. Furthermore, the study delves into the influencing factors affecting the process of mobility capital formation, highlighting the significance of the context in which this process unfolds.