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Description
The project will improve the effectiveness and quality of the appeals against the negative decisions issued by the Asylum Service on claims for international protection. The improvements of the appeals procedures will be achieved through capacity-building measures, increased staffing, organizational changes and improved infrastructure, technical systems and equipment. The Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) will support the project by providing experiences and expertise.
The project will include the following main activities:
- Staffing and operation of appeals committees to examine back-log of asylum cases;
- Establishing, staffing and technical equipment for operating a Country of Origin (CoI) unit;
- Creation and maintenance of a website for the Appeals Authority;
- Capacity-building of staff through e.g. establishing training complimentary to training provided by other organisations and study visits;
- Introduction of case management systems, as Qlik Sense;
- Establishing and equipping the library for the Appeals Authority.
Summary of project results
The significantly high number of appeals in 2016 and 2017 had put high pressure on the Appeals Authority (AA) which examines the administrative (quasi judicial) appeals against the negative first degree verdicts issued by the Asylum Service on the international protection claims. The limited staff of this relatively new established Service, the lack of sufficient equipment (including IT infrastructure) as well as the absence of a concrete and updated information system regarding the country of origin, lead to time-consuming procedures to the detriment of the migrants. The project was designed to enhance the capacity of the asylum management system, in order for the procedures followed by AA to be optimized and the time to be reduced during the processing of the appeals.
As part of the asylum system enhancement, the Appeals Authority took steps to improve procedures within its jurisdiction and minimize the time required to resolve appeals. Totally, 2.906 backlog cases were resolved throughout the Project. The personnel of Appeals Authority were enhanced to manage and monitor cases after targeted training courses with standardized procedures and tailor-made monitoring systems. There was an innovative activity of introducing Country of Origin Information Unit within the Authority which gave a boost in the reduction of the time required to process asylum applications at second level. This activity came as a result of exchanging best practices with the Norwegian Appeals Authority (UNE) that served as the Donor Project Partner. The supply of equipment also added long-term strenghtening to Appeals Authority''s capabilities. The project helped at the fact that the average time for Decisions taken after the Appeals Applications of migrants was subsequently reduced to forty-four (44) days.
Through the Programme, the Appeals Authority was able to minimize the time required for decision-making, provide personnel with more current technology tools, and allow the sharing of expertise through study visits abroad with appropriate services. This allowed the Appeals Authority''s workers to develop their skills in all areas of service. More specifically:
1. Improvement of Case Examination Processes:
Reduction in the time required to process asylum applications at the second level by strengthening procedures and creating new monitoring systems.
Decrease in pending cases and delays, thereby improving the effectiveness of the Appeals Authority.
2. Increase in Management Capacity:
Enhancement of the Authority’s ability to manage and monitor cases through the implementation of standardized procedures and monitoring systems.
Strengthening of management and monitoring through the procurement of office equipment and upgrading of infrastructure.
3. Training and Development of Human Resources:
Organization of seminars and training programs that enhanced the skills of the Appeals Authority''s staff.
Creation of a modern electronic and physical library to support ongoing training and development of staff.
4. Improvement of Infrastructure and Equipment:
Procurement of computers and electrical materials, as well as logistical equipment, which improved the quality of the services provided.
Establishment of a Country of Origin Information Unit, which enhanced the Authority’s ability to collect and analyze critical information.
5. International Cooperation and Knowledge Exchange:
Development of partnerships with entities from other countries (e.g., Norway, Finland, Cyprus, Poland, Island and Switzerland) which contributed to the exchange of expertise and the implementation of best practices.
Organization of visits and educational trips to further enhance the Authority''s capabilities.
In the end, the program successfully enhanced the Appeals Authority''s capacity to provide fair and effective asylum application examination services, improved infrastructure and equipment, and strengthened staff training and development. These results contribute to the long-term strengthening of the Authority’s capabilities, reduction of delays, and improvement of the quality of services provided to applicants for international protection.
Summary of bilateral results
Having a Donor Project Partner was crucial for the successful implementation of the Project and brought significant advantages:- Expertise and Know-How: The DPP contributed specialized knowledge and best practices that were essential for addressing complex challenges related to asylum procedures and system enhancements. Their experience in managing similar projects added valuable insights into the design and execution of the project.- Resource Sharing: The DPP provided access to resources & tools that might not have been available otherwise. This included advanced technologies, training programmes and methodologies that were integral to improving the operations of the Authority. - Capacity building: The partnership facilitated extensive capacity building through workshops, training sessions and knowledge exchange, which strengthened the skills and competencies of the project team and broader staff at the Authority.Main Results of the partnership:• The collaboration with the DPP led to shared results such as improved processes and systems for managing asylum applications (enhanced procedural frameworks, more efficient case management and streamlined operations).• The exchange of experiences and expertise led to a deeper appreciation of different approaches to asylum management and regulatory practices.• The successful outcomes and collaborative efforts generated broader interest from stakeholders, including government agencies and CSOs. This increased visibility helped to highlight the project''s success and the value of international cooperation.• The improvements and lessons learned from the collaboration have been applied in other contexts within the Authority, and the knowledge exchange has led to ongoing discussions about further cooperation on related issues.• The project’s success and the bilateral collaboration extended to the regional and European level, contributing to a broader dialogue on best practices in asylum management & influencing policy discussions within the EU framework.• The project received increased visibility through media coverage and public acknowledgment of the successful bilateral collaboration. This not only highlighted the project''s achievements but also showcased the benefits of international partnerships.