Background

This project was developed in response to a European Commission call for tenders concerning a comparative study on ―best practices in the field of return of minors. The study is part of the Annual Work Programme within the 2009 Community Actions for the EU Return Fund. The study covers the 27 Member States of the European Union and the four Schengen Associated States – Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein hereafter referred to as ―the Member States. It also covers seven countries of return as identified and selected by the project co-ordination team and the Commission.

Aims of the study

The study aims to support Member States in their efforts to develop an effective system of return in relation to children. It gathers information about current practices regarding the return from Europe to countries of origin or transit of third country national children within families or children travelling separated from their families.

Outputs

A key output of the study is a checklist for considering return processes, which reflects identified good and noteworthy practice and which refers to the requirements of the Return Directive.