Civil society organizations play a key role in the reception of asylum seekers across Europe, providing services such as humanitarian assistance, legal counselling, language training, and support for social inclusion. At the same time, their responsibilities, mandates, and relationships with public authorities vary across countries and institutional settings. With the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in 2026, questions regarding the division of responsibilities between governments, local authorities, and civil society have become increasingly important.
This research overview aims to synthesize and compare what research shows about the role of civil society in the reception of asylum seekers in Europe and to identify experiences and lessons relevant to Sweden’s continued implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Particular attention is paid to how different systems of governance, funding, and cooperation shape the roles, autonomy, and contributions of civil society organizations in asylum reception.
The review also examines civil society’s dual role as both a provider of publicly funded services and an independent advocate for the rights of asylum seekers. By bringing together findings from across Europe, the study identifies key patterns, variations, and knowledge gaps concerning the role of civil society in reception systems and migration governance.
The research overview is authored by Gabriella Elgenius, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Centre for Global Migration at the University of Gothenburg, and Andrea Spehar, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre for European Research at the University of Gothenburg.
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