Case study reports on selected CSOs' attitudes and activities

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are a vital part of the system of international protection. This report presents a number of case studies from three European states to highlight the range, nature and significance of this work, as well as drawing a number of policy implications for all those working in this field. The six case studies – from Greece, Italy and the UK – provide a window onto a number of key lessons for policymakers and those seeking to understand the organisational landscape of protection. In particular, they highlight the varied ways in which CSOs understand the question of international protection and its impact on their work: by contrasting groups working on helping anyone in need and those working explicitly on refugees it is possible to note differences in priorities and in the conceptualisation and operationalisation of frameworks for action. While CSOs provide some very significant direct aid to their target groups, as well as engaging in a range of activities directed to shaping public and political debate, there is a common thread of fluctuating and uncertain funding, which has a direct bearing on their ability to perform work. This potentially compromises the valuable contribution that CSOs have to make, not least as means for refugees and migrants to have a voice in the national and international debates about them. The report also highlights the ongoing difficulties of translating the Global Compacts on Migration and on Refugees into meaningful action: the visibility and salience of these remains rather low among our case studies, mostly because of the weak implementation efforts of governmental bodies.