This policy brief, developed under the Support to Frontline Workers project, examines how different governance models shape the ability of frontline workers to reach migrants in vulnerable situations and provide effective outreach, counselling, and Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) support.
Drawing on peer-to-peer exchange visits to Bilbao, Milan, and Malta, the brief analyses three distinct governance approaches – from network-based local coordination to institutionalised co-design and centralised national frameworks – and identifies the key functions that make frontline support effective regardless of context.
The brief offers concrete policy recommendations for EU and Member State policymakers, emphasising that outreach and AVR counselling work best when embedded in coordinated service ecosystems, supported by stable funding, clear roles across governance levels, and structured feedback loops between local practice and national policy.
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