This ad hoc query inquires about the differences in access to social assistance benefits for refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and beneficiaries of temporary protection in EMN Member Countries. Additionally, it looks at the reasons given for these differences in access to social assistance benefits and considers whether there are any plans or proposals to introduce further distinctions in access for these groups in the near future. 

This ad hoc query examines whether EMN Member and Observer Countries have age assessment procedures in place, how these procedures are conducted, and which actors are responsible. It also explores the challenges encountered and how they are addressed. Finally, it examines whether the respondent countries plan to introduce a new procedure or amend an existing one in the near future.

This ad hoc query maps the legislation and current practices in EU Member States regarding the use of the European travel document for the return of irregularly staying third-country nationals (TCNs). It provides an overview of whether the document is used in practice, which third countries accept it, whether established operational procedures exist, and to what extent the document is recognised for transit purposes.

This ad hoc query explores the tailored measures implemented to enhance the involvement of newly arrived third-country nationals (TCNs) in the host society, in particular, the fields these measures cover, the level at which they take place, whether TCNs who are already more permanently settled can participate, and whether nationals can volunteer to support their implementation. It also examines whether these measures are compulsory for TCNs to validate their integration path, and what the consequences are in the event of non-compliance, notably regarding the right of residence.

This ad hoc query maps the use of positive and negative incentives to encourage participation of beneficiaries of international protection in civic integration activities or civic integration programmes across EMN Member and Observer Countries.

The Belgian authorities launched this ad hoc query to understand how other Member States provide information to third-country nationals in the context of return, in order to fulfil their obligation under the Return Directive, and to assess whether making this information available via a website or IT application would be considered sufficient to meet these requirements.

This ad hoc query examines how EMN Member Countries use new technologies to address language barriers during return procedures for third-country nationals. It investigates the deployment of tools such as translation software, handheld devices, mobile apps, and artificial intelligence throughout the return process. The query also reviews relevant legal and data protection frameworks and the application of these tools in key return-related activities like identification, communication of decisions, and detention procedures.

This ad hoc query explores how EMN Member and Observer Countries support legally residing migrant children (third-country nationals) in adapting to the cultural environment of primary and secondary schools. It focuses on national measures, including language support, teacher training, targeted initiatives, and the use of specific educational tools. It also examines challenges, good practices, and whether countries monitor migrant children's academic performance.

This ad hoc query, which informed the preparation of an EMN Inform, collected information on how Member and Observer Countries organise vocational education and training (VET) for applicants and beneficiaries of international protection. It covers programme structures, admission conditions, support measures, incentives, obligations, and the recognition of prior skills, as well as good practices and key challenges in delivering VET.

This ad hoc query, launched by EMN Belgium, explores whether authorities in EMN Member Countries are permitted to search the electronic devices of irregularly staying third-country nationals in the context of return. It examines the legal conditions under which such searches may take place, the categories of individuals concerned, the availability of related statistics, and the perceived impact on identification processes. The query also invites information on challenges encountered and any planned legislative developments in this area.

This ad hoc query examines the initiatives in place across EMN Member and Observer Countries to encourage employers to participate in the integration of their employees.

This ad hoc query examines the voluntary return procedures for Ukrainian nationals granted temporary protection in EU Member States, focusing on the support provided for their return and reintegration. The aim is to understand the various national approaches to facilitating voluntary returns, including whether reintegration assistance is offered and how these programmes are funded.

This ad hoc query examines how EMN Member and Observer Countries use service providers for return and reintegration services. It covers whether countries manage operations directly or rely on service providers, details on contracts and procurement methods used, and how they assess European Procurement Regulations when choosing procurement approaches, including any exceptions justifying direct contracts.

This ad hoc query looks into the time limit within which an administrative authority may detain, without judicial review, an applicant for international protection or an irregularly staying third-country national who is subject to return.

This ad hoc query examines the existence of national initiatives across EMN Member and Observer Countries to support parents of allophone children to navigate the schooling system in order to improve their children’s academic success and overall integration in their host society.

This ad hoc query maps integration requirements for third-country nationals prior to the issuance of a residence permit. Where this requirement exists, details are given on the type of requirement, the purposes of stay to which the requirement applies, and whether certain nationalities are exempt from it.

This ad hoc query examines how various EU Member States have implemented Article 15 of the Return Directive (2008/115/EU), Article 8 of the Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU), and Article 28 of the Dublin Regulation (EU 604/2013), all of which pertain to the detention of third-country nationals.

This ad hoc query maps the existence, structure and functioning of immigrant consultative bodies across EMN Member Countries at both national and regional/local levels. Immigrant consultative bodies are a common strategy to encourage the participation of immigrant populations in the democratic process.

This ad hoc query examines which alternatives to detention are most commonly used, especially for families with children, and how the effectiveness of the alternatives to detention is assessed. It further analyses which elements (indicators, statements, etc.) are taken into account before imposing an alternative to detention and what challenges are faced in this matter.

This ad hoc query seeks to better understand EMN Member and Observer countries’ approaches to language learning by third-country nationals.

This ad hoc query examines the measures taken by EMN Member and Observer Countries to maintain the mother tongue of students with a migratory background. The query addresses such measures in preschool, primary school, and secondary school, as well as the economic resources and fundings to finance these measures.

This ad hoc query sheds light on organisations for young people with a migratory background, their involvement in decision-making processes, and the existence of national registers for these organisations.

Within the framework of the Return Expert Group (REG), this ad hoc query aims to identify innovative collaborations related to multistakeholder governance. The focus is on partnerships between national authorities, local authorities, and civil society organizations to facilitate information sharing, guidance, and case resolution for migrants with return decisions or those remaining undocumented and off the radar of national authorities. 

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia is currently looking into supporting activities that provide innovative approaches to promote integration, taking into account the existing experience of libraries implementing projects for inclusive society. This ad hoc query examines the experiences from other EMN Member Countries with libraries implementing activities in the field of integration and social inclusion for third-country nationals.

As set out in many strategy documents at the EU and OECD levels, there is a growing need to compare integration policies across EU Member States in order to facilitate mutual learning and tackle the lack of evidence on the impact of measures. The objective of this ad hoc query is to provide an overview of different approaches used by the EMN Member and Observer Countries that are designed to monitor and evaluate the integration of third-country nationals. The results of this ad hoc query will form the basis of an upcoming Inform.