Service Provider to the European Migration Network (EMN)

November 2009 – November 2013

The European Migration Network (EMN) was launched by the European Commission in 2003 to provide the EU with up-to-date, objective, reliable and comparable information on migration and asylum issues, with a view to supporting policymaking in the European Union in these areas. The network is made up of 27 ‘national contact points’ (NCPs), incorporating 26 Member States, as well as Norway, who provide regular data about the situation in their own country that can be rapidly synthesised to provide a unique EU perspective across a wide range of topical migration and asylum themes.

Since the end of 2009 GHK has assisted the EU’s Directorate General Home Affairs (formerly DG Justice, Freedom, Security) in coordinating the EMN. GHK's supporting tasks include

• Developing study specifications for EMN Studies and Reports;

• Analysing the National Reports, Studies and other information prepared by the EMN NCPs and synthesising them into Europe-level overview documents;

• Producing a quarterly ‘EMN Newsletter’;

• Organising, attending and providing a secretariat service for EMN NCP network meetings, held every 6 weeks throughout the year;

• Providing support to EMN NCPs and their national networks;

• Maintaining and providing inputs into the EMN website;

• Acting as information point to EMN NCPs;

• Ensuring good quality dissemination overall.

The EMN is working to improve the availability, comparability and harmonisation of existing information on migration and asylum in Europe. As a Service Provider, GHK plays an important role in facilitating this process and ensuring the quality of the outputs.

Recent major studies undertaken by the EMN and compiled by GHK Consulting, include: a study of the use of migration to satisfy labour demands, a review of assisted return in each of Member States and a survey of protection for unaccompanied minors within the EU.

• Temporary and Circular Migration – Summer 2011

• Satisfying Labour Demand through Migration – May 2011

• Assisted Return and Reintegration – March 2011

• Non-EU Harmonised Protection Statuses – December 2010

• Organisation of Asylum and Migration Policies – August 2010

• Unaccompanied Minors – May 2010

Major studies planned for later in 2011 include an EU perspective on visa policies as channels for migration, and Member States’ practical responses for reducing irregular migration