Migratory flows are movements with a long history of research in the field of Social Sciences in general and in pedagogy in particular. In contrast, the phenomenon of return migration does not seem to have sufficient literary support, despite its economic, educational, social, cultural and demographic implications and consequences (Egea, Nieto, & Jiménez, 2002; Vilar et al., 2008).

The European population has traditionally been migrants, either within the EU borders or beyond them, leading some of the massive displacements that have taken place in past centuries. One fact to highlight is that, within the Spanish population, and specifically the Galicians, have led these migrations over time, normally directed towards the countries of South America or towards the European continent itself after the Second World War (Pujol, 2009). One characteristic of this group is that they conceived migration as a limited temporary displacement, which is why the idea of return was always a common aspect in their social imaginary.

However, at the end of the 20th century Europe, and particularly Spain and Galicia, went from being a territory in which there was more emigration to one in which immigration abounded (Santos Rego & Lorenzo, 2009; Vázquez, Pérez-Caramés & Contreras, 2018; Domínguez-Mujica, Rodríguez-Rodríguez, & Santana-Rivero, 2021), and in which, already in the 21st century, the phenomenon of return gained strength, especially in Galicia.

Thus, according to the IOM (2019), return, at the international level, can be understood as the movement of people who, after having left their usual place of residence across an international border, decide to return to their country of origin. However, it is important to note that within a person's migratory process, return does not necessarily mean the culmination of their migratory cycle (Arjona & Checha, 2005).

Since the beginning of the 21st century, there has been a significant return of emigrants, so that some Galician municipalities seem to be experiencing a sudden and accentuated population change, as their censuses are increasing considerably. This increase has consequences for the local community, so that it is possible to represent different changes in the social, cultural and educational spheres, among others. Moreover, it is necessary to point out that at present, returned migrants are a heterogeneous group (Egea & Rodríguez, 2002), with a predominance of young people and with "permanence projects" in and for the family environment (Santos Rego & Lorenzo, 2009).

It is understood, therefore, that political solutions must be considered in the public sphere with the aim of favouring, by all possible means, the inclusion of returnees, with a guaranteed minimum quality of life. It is logical, therefore, that there is a demand for far-reaching research on this issue, which is in no way incompatible with the design and activation of effective measures in the social, economic, cultural and educational fields (Egea et al., 2002).

For this reason, we pose the following research problem in the framework of a doctoral thesis in preparation: What effects does the phenomenon of return migration have at the socio-educational level in the Galician local administration?

This is a descriptive research, whose axis is none other than the exploration of the phenomenon of return migration in Galicia, together with its social and educational implications. Thus, our general objective is to analyse the state of return migration in Galicia, in order to know the socio-educational impact derived from this social phenomenon in the local administration. The study is based on a mixed methodology, which attempts to overcome the classic confrontation and opposition between quantitative and qualitative approaches (Torrado, 2004). Specifically, it is an ex post-facto study where we will use different research techniques to collect information on the group under study. The participants correspond to four groups (municipal technicians, returned migrants, associations and political managers) from a representative sample of town councils in the Autonomous Community of Galicia, which will be chosen by means of intentional sampling among those with the highest incidence of the phenomenon studied with respect to the total population. In order to carry out this research, techniques and instruments will be used, such as documentary analysis of policies, plans, programmes and socio-educational projects aimed at the returnee population. A semi-structured interview addressed to technicians of education/social services of the local administration with responsibilities in this field. Focusing on the classification of Massot, Dorio and Sabariego (2004) we can consider that, according to the moment in which it is carried out, it would be an initial interview; according to the means by which it is carried out, it would be a personal interview, since it would be carried out in first person, maintaining a direct contact between interviewer and interviewee. In addition, a questionnaire will be used which will be filled in by Galician returnees and which will include different Likert-type scales (socio-biographical aspects, migration project, socio-educational profile, inclusion in the host society and civic-social perspective) together with open questions. On the other hand, a semi-structured interview will be conducted with those responsible for municipal policy on education and/or social services and, finally, a discussion group will be held with those responsible for associations and groups of returned immigrants in order to analyse the expectations, problems and needs of this group.

Given that it deals with a subject of no small social relevance insofar as it affects a considerable number of Galician men and women. The carrying out of this research work may represent a special contribution from the perspective of social pedagogy, with emphasis on those axes of socio-educational knowledge linked to inclusion and the development of civil society. Therefore, it can be said that the 'return effect' is not without theoretical - and applied - value, especially in the social sciences linked to the subject of migration. In short, the aim of this study is to find out the socio-educational profile of returnees in Galicia, as well as the different variables that define their migratory project. On the other hand, the aim is to analyse the socio-educational impact of the arrival of this group in local communities and their level of inclusion in the host society. In addition, we aim to understand the participatory dynamics of returnees based on their civic-social involvement. Finally, plans, programmes and projects addressed to returnees in Galicia will be identified in order to know if they are sufficient, adequate and coherent, and thus be able to define possible medium-term socio-educational intervention plans.

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