Annual training report 2024

© European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA)

The suitability of train-the-trainer as a core delivery model is demonstrated in the implementation of EUAA training activities. This method has proven to be both effective and efficient, enabling the Agency to fulfil its mandate through a multiplier effect. Member State asylum and reception officials with expertise in a particular area were able to follow modules covering training techniques and the assessment of learning.

Once Member State trainers demonstrate that they have the relevant knowledge and skills, they can deliver European Asylum Curriculum modules. This approach fosters high-quality independence among Member State training modules. National trainers were also invited to take part in workshops and a trainers’ conference to build on their training skills.

Focus on EUAA tailor‐made training on the new Pact on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, delivered by the EUAA in the context of permanent support between September 2024 and December 2024. 

EUAA training was used to complement national training modules. The Agency supported EU+ countries in setting up and delivering national training sessions using curriculum modules. National sessions are organised autonomously by the national administrations and delivered by their national trainers, who have been trained through the EUAA train-the-trainer methodology. When needed, the EUAA also provided trainers to support the delivery of national sessions.

21 EU+ countries delivered 349 national training sessions on EUAA modules in the context of permanent support. Three out of four national training sessions were delivered by five EU+ countries: the Netherlands (83 sessions), Belgium (65), Germany (60), Sweden (32) and France (28). 2 683 learners completed national training on EUAA modules in 2024, representing a total of 4 132 participations (+2% compared to 2023).

On average, 12 learners completed a national training session, with a completion rate of 83% (i.e. 8 out of 10 learners completed the training).

A total of 26 EUAA training modules were delivered in national training sessions as part of permanent support. Half of the participations were recorded in the four most attended modules:

• ‘Inclusion’ (633 participations, 15%)

• ‘Interviewing vulnerable persons’ (522, 13%)

• ‘Asylum interview methods’ (518, 13%)

• ‘Evidence assessment’ (419, 10%).

In total, 349 sessions were delivered in 11 languages. English was the most frequently used language (62% of sessions) followed by French (13%), German (12%), Dutch (6%) and Polish (3%).

More than 8 out of 10 sessions were delivered using a blended approach (combining an online phase and physical face-to-face training), accounting for 294 sessions (84%). Fully online sessions accounted for 13% (45 sessions), while the remaining 10 sessions (3%) followed an ‘Online and webinar’ approach (10, 3%)

Modules for caseworkers accounted for 6 out of 10 participations in national training delivered by EU+ countries in 2024, followed by foundation modules (15%), vulnerability modules (8%), exclusion and end of protection (6%), and reception modules (6%).

Modules for caseworkers were delivered by 11 EU+ countries, notably in the Netherlands (819 participations), Germany (589), Belgium (381), France (261), Sweden (211) and Finland (200). Foundation modules were most attended in Poland (283 participations), Finland (116), Luxembourg (70), Romania (51) and Austria (41).

Nine EU+ countries delivered national training on vulnerability modules: Germany (128 participations), the Netherlands (43), Sweden (30), Finland (27), Belgium (23), Slovenia (19), Slovakia (18), France (18) and Switzerland (10). The modules on exclusion and protection were organised by six countries: Sweden (146 participations), France (38), Finland (37), Belgium (21), Ireland (13) and Norway (7). Three EU+ countries (Belgium, Czechia and Latvia) delivered national training sessions on EUAA reception modules, primarily in Belgium (230 participations).

COI and MedCOI modules were delivered in nine EU+ countries, while modules on Dublin and the AMMR were delivered in six countries. The Netherlands was the only EU+ country to deliver national training sessions on EUAA modules on resettlement.

EUAA modules were delivered for 3 out of 4 participations (8 585) in the context of operational support, while 20% of participations were in tailor-made courses. Training activities related to ‘on-the-job coaching’ accounted for 430 participations.

A third of participations (3 947) were registered in training on foundation modules. Training on vulnerability modules accounted for 1 076 participations.

Attendance on reception modules accounted for 909 participations, while there were 831 participations in the modules on interpretation.

Most of the participations in foundation modules were recorded under operational plans for Spain (1 215), followed by operational plans for Greece (1 024), operational plans for Slovenia (738) and operational plans for Italy (647).

Modules on vulnerability were attended for learners recorded under 10 operational plans, mainly in Greece (395 participations), Spain (323), Italy (168), Cyprus (75) and Romania (52).

Reception modules were delivered to support 12 countries, with the highest numbers recorded in Spain (405 participations), Greece (129), Italy (93), Belgium (81) and the Netherlands (49). Modules on interpretation saw participations in nine operational plans, mainly Greece (287 participations), Cyprus (98), Romania (79) and Belgium (52). Modules on caseworkers were attended by learners under operational plans for Greece (357 participations), Italy (219), Cyprus (68), Romania (40) and Malta (29).

Training activities related to on-the-job coaching were delivered under the five following operational plans: Greece (302 participations), Cyprus (55), Romania (42), Spain (18) and Belgium (13). Four operational plan countries benefited from training on registration modules: Greece (277 participations), Italy (60), Malta (7) and Bulgaria (2). Modules related to the Dublin Regulation and the AMMR were delivered for learners from nine countries under operation plans, with the highest numbers recorded in Greece (213 participations), Italy (89) and Cyprus (16). Training for trainers were attended by learners from nine countries in the context of operational support: Greece (46 participations), Italy (31), Austria (8), Cyprus (7), Romania (7), Slovenia (5), Malta (3) and Bulgaria (1). The EUAA provided significant additional training to support the EU+ countries under the operational context (training for managers, resettlement modules, and training tailored to specific needs).

In 2024, much of the training delivered in Greece centred on on-the-job learning, which garnered an impressive satisfaction rate of over 96% across more than 300 participants. This overwhelmingly positive feedback highlights the value of practical, hands-on training, underscoring its relevance and effectiveness. Similarly, the foundation module on the legal framework on fundamental rights and international protection in the EU also achieved highly positive feedback, with a satisfaction rate of 93.3% among 330 learners.

© European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA)

European Asylum Curriculum modules that drew significant interest included those on vulnerability, the registration of international protection applications, and the identification of potential Dublin cases. These modules consistently had satisfaction rates in excess of 90%.

More specialised training was also offered in areas such as the Dublin III Regulation and conflict management and mediation in reception. With 3 279 total participations across all thematic areas under operational plans, this uptake underscores the important role of training in supporting the Agency's work on the ground.

The ex post evaluation, conducted by external evaluators, in particular noted that ‘through the EUAA’s support, GAS [Greek Asylum Service] managed to establish a pool of national trainers who were able to independently conduct national training.’ In relation to reception, the EUAA worked intensively on establishing workflows and training to enhance the capacity of national authorities to manage 30 reception centres across Greece, in line with the CEAS. In this regard, it was recognised that the identification of vulnerable persons and Dublin cases improved thanks to the EUAA’s training, noting the participation of mixed groups of Reception and Identification Service (RIS) and EUAA embedded staff.

The EUAA delivered a wide range of training sessions across Spain in 2024, focusing in particular on reception procedures, legal frameworks, and the needs of vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied minors.

The Spain Operational Plan, signed with the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations and the Ministry of Youth and Childhood, addresses the operational needs of both parties, as well as NGOs, in the area of reception activities and the protection of unaccompanied minors (UAMs) in the context of international protection. Consequently, training in Spain continues to target a broad spectrum of profiles, including reception managers, technical staff (reception officers, social workers, psychologists, social educators, etc.) service providers (security officers, cleaning staff, catering staff, etc.) and interpreters.

© European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA)

Training in Spain took place both on the Iberian Peninsula and in the Canary Islands, reflecting the varied operational context in which Spain manages migration. As regards content areas, foundational modules such as ‘Introduction to vulnerability’ and ‘Introduction to the legal framework on fundamental rights and international protection in the EU’ saw high levels of participation and were well regarded by learners.

More specialised training on vulnerable groups was another key area of focus in Spain, with the ‘Reception of vulnerable persons’ thematic area receiving exceptional satisfaction ratings in excess of 94%, highlighting the critical importance of the EUAA’s support in enhancing knowledge and expertise in this area. Specialist training modules on human trafficking also garnered significant attention.

In 2024, the training delivered under the Slovenia Operational Plan focused on key areas vital to strengthening the capacity of asylum and reception professionals in managing Slovenia’s evolving migration context. Given the country’s role as a transit point with a high turnover of residents, the training aimed to address the challenges associated with short-term stays while ensuring that practitioners were well-equipped to manage complex cases.

A key highlight was the ‘Introduction to vulnerability’ module, which saw strong participation and provided essential insights into identifying vulnerability in applicants for international protection. Another highly regarded session was the ‘Trafficking in human beings’ module, which had a satisfaction rate of 93%. This module prepares officers to identify and support victims or potential victims of trafficking, which remains a central aspect of asylum and reception work in Slovenia.

While historically there was a moderate number of participations in EUAA training activities among Slovenian staff (an average of 23 per year), the ex post evaluation noted a significant increase in training uptake (846 participations in training in Slovenia in 2024), as well as a marked increase in the Slovenian pool of national trainers in European Asylum Curriculum modules.

Modules such as ‘Reception of vulnerable persons’, focusing on the identification of vulnerability and the design of appropriate interventions, were also extremely well-received, with satisfaction rates exceeding 94%. These sessions underscored the importance of equipping professionals with the skills to respond to the specific needs of vulnerable individuals.

EUAA training delivered in the Netherlands in 2024 had a strong focus on vulnerable populations and legal frameworks.

One of the standout sessions was the training on ‘Reception of vulnerable persons: needs assessment and design of interventions’, which garnered exceptional feedback, with 21 participants and a satisfaction rate of 96%. This session, which focused on assessing special reception needs and designing tailored interventions, was highly valued for its relevance to real-world challenges in the Dutch reception context.

Foundational modules also saw strong participation. The modules ‘Introduction to ethical and professional standards’ and ‘Introduction to the legal framework on fundamental rights and international protection in the EU’ were also very highly rated, with satisfaction rates exceeding 90%.

In Austria, a diverse range of training modules were rolled out under the Austria Operational Plan in 2024. Training was carefully designed to address topics ranging from human trafficking to gender-based violence. One key module was ‘Introduction to communication for asylum and reception practitioners’, which saw strong attendance and overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Another highlight of training in Austria was the Becoming an EUAA trainer and assessor module, which trained personnel to pass on their expertise to others. The ex post evaluation report noted that the module was ‘seen as highly beneficial given the potential impact on the sustainability of the support’ and that ‘the Agency’s capacity building and technical support efforts were significant, evidenced by instrumental study visits, training sessions exceeding annual targets’. As a result of this ongoing dedication to skills building and knowledge transfer, the overall satisfaction rate across the various training modules in Austria stands at an impressive 90%.