Foreword
As we reflect on 2024, I take great pride in the strides the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has made in advancing its training mandate, especially given the challenges shaping the asylum and reception context. This background underscores the pivotal role that the EUAA’s Training and Professional Development Centre plays in supporting national administrations in implementing the Common European Asylum System.
A key highlight of 2024 was the accreditation of the EUAA’s Training and Professional Development Centre as a licensed qualifications provider, marked by the launch of the EUAA Academy. This accreditation is a significant milestone for the Agency, as our training now enjoys full international recognition in line with the European Qualifications Framework. It enhances the credibility and reach of our modules, reinforcing the EUAA’s position as the leading provider of asylum and reception training.
Since the European Asylum Curriculum was introduced in 2012, we have seen remarkable progress in the reach and impact of our training initiatives. In 2024, we surpassed 100 000 participants benefiting from EUAA training, showcasing both the scale of our efforts and the growing demand for high-quality, consistent training across Europe. Our ability to respond to evolving situations and humanitarian emergencies remains crucial in helping Member States meet their obligations under EU law.
The ongoing war in Ukraine continued to test Europe’s reception systems in 2024. The EUAA remained steadfast in supporting Member States through training, ensuring they could effectively meet their legal obligations. Independent evaluations of the Operational Plans provided valuable insights into our training’s effectiveness, highlighting its role in strengthening national officials’ skills. Additionally, we made significant progress in enhancing our training data infrastructure and revising our Training Needs Analysis methodology, successfully implementing these to create tailored training plans that address specific needs. The passage of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum last May, and the two-year transition period before its full entry into force, will shape much of the Agency’s work in the coming years. The Pact represents a major shift in the EU’s approach to migration and asylum, and the EUAA will continue to support Member States throughout and beyond this transition.
I always believed that the future of the EUAA Academy is bright, and I am sure it will remain central to the Agency’s work and its mission to support Member States under pressure. Training and professional development are essential to the success and sustainability of the EU’s asylum and reception systems, and the EUAA Academy is well-prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Nina Gregori
EUAA Executive Director
Preface
Rachelle Cortis
Head of the Training and Professional Development Centre
This year has marked a pivotal moment in the professionalisation of the asylum and reception sector. With the approval of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum last May, we are witnessing a growing commitment from Member States to provide robust training for their asylum and reception officials. The Agency remains steadfast in its support, working to build a strong learning infrastructure that will drive progress and foster consistency across the sector. Our recent accreditation as a qualifications provider officially recognises this commitment.
Our primary goal is to deliver targeted, fit-for-purpose training for frontline professionals, ensuring that the knowledge, skills and competencies they acquire align with EU standards. This approach will contribute to greater convergence across Member States and reduce discrepancies in the implementation of the legal framework.
The EUAA is ready to lead this transformation. Beginning in 2025, we will offer accredited qualifications for officials who complete specialist training and assessments, marking a new era of recognised professional development within the sector. This is just the beginning – we aim to accredit 10 additional training modules, further expanding our reach and impact. As we move ahead, we are thrilled to announce the development of the first-ever master’s degree programme in Asylum and Reception Management, opening new career opportunities and supporting the retention of skilled personnel within this vital sector. This initiative, alongside our expanding portfolio of training, directly aligns with the demands of the Pact, which will reshape training requirements for asylum and reception authorities when it enters into full application in 2026.
Our ambition extends beyond increasing our reach. We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality in all our educational activities, ensuring that our training initiatives have a measurable impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of asylum and reception authorities across the EU. We are determined to stay at the cutting edge, continually improving and expanding our training offerings to meet both present and future challenges.
Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who have believed in this vision and supported us in making it a reality. Their unwavering commitment and trust have been vital to the success we are celebrating today. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue building on these strong partnerships as we drive the future of asylum and reception in Europe, ensuring a more professional, skilled and resilient sector for the challenges ahead.
Executive summary
The EUAA Annual Training Report provides a comprehensive overview of the European Union Agency for Asylum’s (EUAA) training activities throughout 2024. It highlights the Agency’s continued contribution to the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and its efforts to support Member States in adapting to the new requirements of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, approved by the European Parliament in May 2024.
The EUAA’s training activities are guided by the EUAA Regulation, which came into force in January 2022, having replaced the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) Regulation of 2010. Under Article 8 of the EUAA Regulation, the Agency is mandated to develop high-quality training that promotes best practices in implementing EU asylum law. This training aims to professionalise asylum systems across Member States, ensuring that asylum procedures are efficient, fair, and aligned with EU legal standards.
The Agency’s training supports Member States in building capacity and cohesion in asylum systems, aligning with the objectives of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. While the Pact will not apply in full until 2026, the EUAA’s training initiatives ensure that Member States are prepared to adopt its measures, including more efficient asylum processes and enhanced solidarity and responsibility-sharing.
In 2024, the EUAA significantly expanded its training activities, including a 50% increase in operational support and a 13% rise in participation in permanent support frameworks. This growth reflects the Agency’s successful response to rising migration pressures, including in countries such as Greece, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands, where tailored training included areas such as vulnerability identification, reception procedures and human trafficking. Additionally, the growth in participation reflects the broader geographic demand for training, including in countries like Luxembourg and Ireland.
The EUAA reached a key milestone with its accreditation by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) as a qualifications provider. This accreditation allows the Agency to offer internationally recognised qualifications in asylum and reception, strengthening its role in the professionalisation of the sector.
The European Asylum Curriculum expanded to 50 modules, and 205 officials obtained the EUAA trainers’ and assessors’ qualification, significantly enhancing the Agency’s capacity. The launch of the revised Training Needs Analysis (TNA) methodology, which uses desk research, stakeholder surveys and prioritisation matrices, allows for more tailored training plans that address specific needs in Member States.
The EUAA made significant progress in meeting the growing demand for asylum and reception training across the EU in 2024. Key achievements include increased training delivery, the introduction of internationally recognised qualifications, and the development of a more targeted approach through the revised TNA methodology. These efforts are vital in preparing Member States for the full application of the Pact on Migration and Asylum in 2026.
The expansion of the European Asylum Curriculum, along with new trainers and the positive feedback from participants, further highlights the relevance and quality of the EUAA’s training. With 2024 marking the milestone of over 100 000 participants trained since the European Asylum Curriculum was established, the Agency continues to play a central role in strengthening asylum and reception systems across Europe.
Looking ahead, the EUAA is committed to expanding its training offerings to meet the evolving needs of Member States. The Agency plans to introduce additional accredited modules to support Member States in preparing for the Pact’s legal requirements, while also providing opportunities to earn internationally recognised qualifications. The launch of a European Master’s in Asylum and Reception Management will further contribute to this goal. These initiatives will ensure that asylum and reception officials are well-equipped to manage asylum procedures in line with EU standards, strengthening the professionalisation of the sector and contributing to greater convergence across EU asylum systems.
This report reviews the EUAA’s 2024 training activities, highlighting developments such as the Agency’s accreditation as a qualifications provider, the expansion of the European Asylum Curriculum, and the introduction of new trainers and assessors. It also outlines the launch of the revised Training Needs Analysis methodology, which addresses the evolving needs of Member States.
The report emphasises the EUAA’s role in preparing Member States for the future application of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, particularly in meeting its new legal provisions. It also introduces the upcoming European Master’s in Asylum and Reception Management. Looking ahead, the EUAA will continue to expand its accredited training offer, ensuring that asylum and reception officials across Europe are equipped to manage asylum procedures in line with EU standards and the evolving migration landscape.