Topics and Activities

Improving standards for the reception of refugees is the goal of the ICF Project. On the heels of ICF I, the current Information and Cooperation Forum will now focus on humanising the conditions of reception for asylum seekers. The topics addressed within the network are key topics for the reception of refugees:

• Medical treatment and therapy
• Accommodation standards
• Access to the labour market and education
• Freedom of movement
• Social benefits (including the withdrawal of social benefits and Dublin II cases)
• Social work and social counselling
• Participation of refugees

Reflection

The reception guidelines establish binding minimum standards for the accommodation of refugees. ICF research has shown that all countries need to improve distinct areas relating to the reception of refugees. ICF research has also demonstrated that some countries are employing good, and even exemplary practices in the reception of refugees. How can reception standards be raised to the highest possible level? This is the ICF Project's central question. The project partners are focusing on the above key topics. Each partner organisation is developing a basis for improving the reception conditions in one of the key areas.

Good Practices

Best practices within the more problematic areas of refugee reception will be made available to the public. These good practice examples and models are designed to compel administrations and those working within active refugee networks to improve the reception conditions within their countries. Existing practices are often the result of emergency solutions or constitute impractical adaptations from other fields. Existing practices must now be evaluated in the light of better models from other countries.

Presentation

The ICF network is developing material designed to generate awareness of the more problematic areas in the accommodation of refugees. The material will be available in a variety of formats, including brochures, Powerpoint presentations and information on CD-Rom about best practices. Concrete examples that realise the impact of complex European regulations on a regional level will be available for public relations work, lobbying and further training. In addition, ICF commentary on the EU minimum standards for the reception of refugees will include examples of outstanding as well as substandard practices and needs-oriented recommendations for implementation of the guidelines.

Communication

Newsletter&Seminars

The material will be made available partly through the ICF Newsletter and the website, which will be continuously updated. Changes to the reception conditions in the individual countries will also be reported.

Lobbying&Qualification

The ICF partners are organising a national conference to address each of the problematic areas. The conference is designed to bring together charity organisations, government officials, NGOs and experts in those countries in order to allow for a thorough discussion of these issues in the presence of those with authority to make decisions in these areas.

International Conferences

In addition, two international conferences will present country practices on a transnational level and draw further attention to the reception conditions of refugees. These conferences are intended to bring the issue of improving refugee reception conditions to a wider professional audience and to the media. With a European comparative perspective, the conferences aim to broaden the sometimes narrow perspectives of the individual countries and to bring blind spots and deficiencies to light.

Networking

The ICF Project envisions the development of a transnational network among the partner organisations. This network ensures the exchange of information and experiences between individual countries and serves as a foundation for collaborative activities. Regular meetings and contact between the ICF team members are critical to the formation of a European network of human rights organisations focused on the increasing harmonisation of the European refugee policy.

Development of Structures

In the context of the ICF II Project, further research and best practices will be compiled from the different EU member states. Examples include the training of social workers in Slovakia, recreational activities in Hungary and freedom of movement in all EU countries except for Germany. Our priorities are the development of structures in the new EU member states as well as the collaboration and qualification of volunteers.

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The ICF Project is solely responsible for the here contained information.
The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
ICF is co-financed by