PERCO is the Platform for European Red Cross Cooperation on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants. It was launched in Copenhagen in August 1997.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world's largest humanitarian network working to assist refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. The mandate for the services provided to moving or displaced people is based on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's fundamental principles, in particular on the principle of humanity and impartiality.

PERCO aims to develop and strengthen the Red Cross activities for and with refugees and migrants on a national and international level and promote cooperation among European National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in order to improve the situation of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Europe.

PERCO's objectives are to:

• provide a framework to facilitate cooperation and networking among European National Societies;
• strengthen the advocacy role of European National Societies in order to influence national and European policies and developments in the field of asylum and migration;
• improve the capacity of European National Societies and the International Federation in their work with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants;
• promote tolerance and fight against racism, xenophobia and social exclusion.

The Berlin Charter adopted at the VIth European Red Cross and Red Crescent Regional Conference (Berlin Conference) in April 2002 calls for National Societies "to take immediate and sustained action to address the human vulnerabilities arising from all forms of population movement, irrespective of the status of the individuals themselves".

The Join Forces for Integration in Europe project aims to improve the integration of refugees in the European Union countries, and to enable them to contribute positively to the communities where they reside.

Much more is now known about how to integrate refugees into European countries, and why the participation of refugees in civil society is all important.

The project brings together PERCO and other organisations involved in refugee integration in Europe. They include European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), an umbrella organisation of refugee NGOs; the ECRE Task Force on Integration, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The four organisations meet regularly to ensure sharing of experiences and to maximise the benefits of networking.

From the start, the European Commission was keen to support the project. The funding was received from the Directorate General for Employment and Social Affairs (Directorate General V) as part of budget line B3-4113 (Integration of Refugees).

The Employment and Social Affairs directorate had among its prime responsibilities: working for equality for women and men; the struggle against racism and xenophobia; and, activities to promote measures combatting social exclusion. Responsibility for all refugee activities has now been transferred to the Directorate General for Justice and Home Affairs.

The following publications are intended as guidance for National Societies.

• Guidelines on the reception of asylum seekers (PDF document, 239 kb, 40 pages)
  • Richtlinien für die Aufnahme von Asylbewerber (German version)
• Guidelines on family reunification (PDF document, 216 kb, 36 pages)
  • Richtlinien zur Familienzusammenführung (German version)
• Repatriation guidelines for Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies (PDF document, 494 kb, 23 pages)
• Cultural diversity in your organisation (PDF document, 1.5 Mb, 36 pages)
  • Kulturelle Vielfalt in der Organisation (German version)
• Detention of returnees: considerations for National Societies (PDF document, 59 kb, 9 pages)
  • Ausschaffungshaft/Schubhaft: Erforderliche Überlegungen der Nationalen Gesellschaften (German version)
  • Détention en vue du renvoi ou de l’expulsion : réflexions à l’intention des Sociétés nationales qui envisagent de déployer des activités dans ce domaine (French version)
• Report on irregular migration (PDF document, 245 kb, 54 pages)
• Transit processing centres outside the European Union (PDF document, 62 kb, 9 pages)

Country updates

PERCO and the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies work with individuals and organizations in Europe who share their commitment to work with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants including governments, international and non governmental organizations, civil society and the migrants themselves.

PERCO is a regional forum. Membership is open to National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies from countries belonging to one of the following groups:

• European Union (EU) member states;
• European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states;
• European Union accession countries;
• European Union Stabilization on an Associate Process (SAP).

As of October 2005, Red cross Red crescent National Societies of the following countries are members of PERCO: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom. More information about Red Cross and Red Crescent National societies can be found on our directory.

Observers of PERCO are:

• The Secretariat of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies;
• International Committee of the Red Cross;
• Red Cross European Union Office.

Other key documents available:

• PERCO's brochure (PDF document, 263 kb, 2 pages)
• PERCO's terms of reference (PDF document, 44 kb, 10 pages)
• Istanbul Commitments (PDF document, 40 kb, 6 pages)
• Berlin Charter (PDF document, 74 kb, 3 pages)
• Berlin Charter: Plan of action - migration (PDF document, 112 kb, 7 pages)
• Berlin Charter: Conference resolution (PDF document, 69 kb, 1 page)
• Seminar report: Refugees included: The participation of refugees in NGOs (PDF document, 125 kb, 29 pages)
• Seminar report: Conflict handling in refugee work (part 2) (PDF document, 89 kb, 12 pages)
• Report: Joint forces for integration in Europe: digest of activities 1998-2000 (PDF document, 57 kb, 18 pages)

Related useful links:

• European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE).
• European Union (freedom, security and justice).
• European Network on Integration.
• Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM).
• International Organization for Migration (IOM).
• Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants.
• Trafficking in human beings.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).