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Benefits

ECRE has a long history of engaging its member agencies in discussions and activities to better advocate for refugee rights all over Europe. This engagement takes place through a number of activities and tools, which significantly enhances the effectiveness of our work.

JOIN ECRE'S CORE GROUPS

ECRE facilitates 6 international Core Groups on Resettlement, Integration, Asylum systems, Return, Access to protection in Europe and External dimension.

Core Groups are open to staff working for member organisations who can make a contribution to the subject. Through these groups, members are able to collaborate with the Secretariat on a number of activities, from comparing national practices, to participating in advocacy meetings with the Europan Commission. Core groups meet 2-3 times a year to share information and exchange knowledge. Between the meetings they are able to exchange information through the ECRE Members Area.

MEET UP ON THE ECRE MEMBERS AREA

ECRE's website hosts a Members' Area to share information, up/download recent articles and discuss relevant topics through forums.

  • All members of staff working in your organisation can obtain a personal account.
  • Users can participate in forum discussions and submit information requests.
  • All information relating to ECRE's advocacy network and the Core Groups is stored there and immediately available.
  • Special internal briefings produced by the ECRE Secretariat on EU developments are shared with the members.
  • Large database of staff working across Europe is available online.
  • Users can submit and download documents from the Documents library.
  • Information about upcoming events is available on an Events Calendar to which users can add new events.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

During AGMs members discuss a wide range of key policy issues. The AGM is an important opportunity to exchange information, develop policies and best practices which reflect the challenges faced by refugees across Europe, and to campaign publicly together on key issues of concern.
The AGM also hosts the elections of the Executive Committee, which consists of representatives from member agencies from all European regions. The AGM and the Executive Committee provide the overall direction for the organisation's activities as well as a strong input into its policy and advocacy positions.

ECRAN - ECRE'S ADVOCACY NETWORK

ECRAN consists of a representative from each Core Group and six experienced advocacy professionals from the membership to form the core permanent structure. Persons from Member States holding or due to hold the EU presidency join in on discussions to provide the group with invaluable input. At the same time ECRAN meetings are open to other individuals representing ECRE member agencies who are interested in the discussions.

VIBRANT COMMUNICATIONS & PRESS NETWORK

In addition to the dissemination of our policy and advocacy work, we have an active communication network throughout the membership, composed of press and communications staff. This network supports the media activities carried out by the membership, thus allowing ECRE to speak with one strong voice.