Civil Society and the Consultative Forum

Civil society organisations play an important role in the debate on and implementation of asylum policy. Their specific expertise and knowledge is synergetic and is often of added-value to the Agency’s work. The EUAA is committed to maintaining a close dialogue with relevant civil society organisations and competent bodies active in the field of asylum and reception.
 

The Consultative Forum 

The Consultative Forum is the Agency’s main channel for cooperation with civil society. Cooperation between the Agency and civil society is defined in Article 50 of the EUAA Regulation, which calls upon the Agency to maintain a close dialogue with relevant civil society organisations and competent bodies and to set up a Consultative Forum to that purpose as mechanism for the exchange of information and the sharing of knowledge. 

The Consultative Forum was initially established in 2011 as part of the European Asylum Support Office and has subsequently been re-constituted under the EUAA in a revised format and with a reinforced mandate. 

Management Board Decision No 111 establishes the Consultative Forum under the EUAA and sets out the rules regarding its composition and conditions for transmitting information thereto. The Management Board Decision will, in due time, be complemented by the working methods, which are to be established by the Consultative Forum itself.

Who can become a member of the EUAA Consultative Forum?  

In accordance with the EUAA Regulation and the MB Decision No 111, the Fundamental Rights Agency, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and UNHCR are members of the EUAA Consultative Forum, having accepted the invitation. The Consultative Forum is further open for participation by relevant civil society organisations and competent bodies operating in the field of asylum policy at local, regional, national, Union or international level – provided they meet the conditions as set out in Annex 1 of MB Decision No 111. Following an open call for expressions of interest, the below organisations are currently members of the EUAA Consultative Forum.

How to become a member of the EUAA Consultative Forum?

The call for expressions of interest from relevant civil society organisations and bodies to become members of the EUAA Consultative Forum remains open indefinitely. Should you be interested to join the Consultative Forum, here is what you should do: 
 

• Complete the online expression of interest form
• Sign and submit via e-mail the: 
  • confidentiality agreement; 
  • declaration of interest (organisations and bodies)
  • declaration of interest (personal capacity) 

Contact

For any queries, please contact: consultative-forum@euaa.europa.eu