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About the guide
Why was this guide created? The mission of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) is to facilitate and support the activities of EU Member States and Schengen associated countries (EU+ countries ( 1 )) in the implementation of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). In accordance with its overall aim of promoting the correct and effective implementation of the CEAS and of enabling convergence, the EUAA develops common operational standards and indicators, guidelines and practical tools.
Arrival centres have been increasingly used in recent years to better manage the phase of arrival, which is the start of many of the various processes that are linked to both procedural and reception aspects.
This practical guide supports Member States in implementing key aspects related to the management and organisation of collective reception centres, with a focus on the initial phase of reception (i.e. arrival in reception) and the link with procedural aspects. It provides practical recommendations on:
• identifying the functions a reception centre could serve and the related processes needed, especially during the initial phase of reception, to provide applicants with an adequate standard of living and to ensure access to material reception conditions and services in line with the CEAS provisions and the reception standards;
• planning and organising resources and services to ensure the designated functions of a reception centre are carried out effectively and in line with the standards;
• identifying ways to organise in the same location (‘under one roof’) reception and procedural functions, with a focus on the arrival phase, and streamline workflows in an efficient and coordinated manner.
This practical guide covers only open reception centres, including controlled centres used for carrying out the asylum border procedure and/or in case of restrictions of freedom of movement. It does not cover the management of detention centres or return centres.
This practical guide does not cover exceptional situations when a Member State may provide material reception conditions that are different from those generally provided.