This EU-funded project will develop an on-call system for legal aid in asylum matters

Finland’s National Legal Services Authority has launched an EU-funded project to develop a nationwide on-call system for legal aid in asylum matters. The aim is to improve the consistency, availability and functionality of the service.

The project will establish a permanent new operating model for providing legal aid in asylum matters. The overall model includes centralised management, a nationwide on-call system, and an information system that underpins the service. The reform will enhance the availability of legal aid, speed up access to the service, and create consistent practices throughout the country.

The project aims to strengthen the legal protection and equality of asylum seekers and improve the availability of legal aid throughout Finland. At the same time, the national coordination of activities will be developed, resources will be used more efficiently, and cost management will improve. The project will also promote cooperation among authorities and improve the readiness to respond to changes in the asylum situation.

Cooperation involves the key authorities in the asylum process, such as the Finnish Immigration Service and reception centres. The aim of cooperation is to ensure that operating models are smooth and that information flows efficiently.

The project was funded by the Ministry of the Interior from the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). EU funding covers 90% of the project costs, and the Legal Services Agency covers the rest. The aim is to establish a permanent solution that will remain part of the structures of public legal aid once the project is complete. It will strengthen Finland’s capacity to respond as immigration and asylum situations evolve.