Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees

The Information and Cooperation Forum (ICF) Presents: cross-border asylum network

Reception Conditions for Asylum Seekers in Europe

materials for a better practice

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees ICF: NGOs from Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia Targets:  improvement of reception conditions in the Member States of the European Union  cooperation, qualification, lobbying    Issues:  accommodation  social benefits (including withdrawal and Dublin II cases)   medical care access to labour and education / training social work and social counselling freedom of movement participation of refugees

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees The EU Council Directive 2003/9/EC of 27 January 2003 on Minimum Standards of Reception Conditons for Asylum Seekers  the implementation: harmonisation or downgrading?

 why improvement of reception conditions?

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees

1. Accommodation Matters*

 basic needs of refugees and asylum seekers  the EU Council Directive 2003/9/EC on accomodation issues *Under the ICF lead agency of GEA 2000 Slovenia

Foundation GEA2000

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees

2. Houses and Camps

    forms of refugee accommodation in Central Europe centralised or decentralised accommodation?

housing on borders recommendations – accommodation should give access to information and social services – accommodation should invite contacts to local population – private accommodation instead of centralised camps  best practice: Integrationshaus Austria

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees

3.

Accommodation and Food

  modalities of food distribution frequent shortcomings  recommendations – asylum seekers should get money to make own choices regarding their nutrition – asylum seekers should get the opportunity to cook for themselves – food distribution has to respect religious diets and culinary customs

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees

4. Right to Privacy, Family Life and Security

    accommodation centres and privacy security in accommodation centres protection of family life the needs of vulnerable groups – women – children – traumatised persons  recommendations

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 5. Access to Counselling and Information, Legal and Health Services   the need for orientation and support shortcomings  recommendations – Information has to be provided at the beginning – access of NGOs to centre inhabitants has to be granted – legal advice and services have to be within reach

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees

6. Private Accommodation

   merits of privacy securing the needs of refugees financial support  recommendations – private accommodation should be privileged – private housing has to match the needs of asylum seekers – services have to be within reach

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees THANK YOU!

For further information please contact [email protected]