ACCORD Training Manual
The COI Training Manual „Researching Country of Origin Information“ (2024 edition) is a comprehensive and informative introduction to the topic. It presents quality standards for the research and use of COI and informs on how to apply those standards. The 2024 edition is available in English, earlier editions are available in several languages - see: www.coi-training.net.
UNHCR’s and ACCORD's online course on COI
UNHCR’s and ACCORD's online course on COI is a self-study course. Completing it takes about four hours, a final test completes the course. It focuses on the role of COI in refugee status determination (RSD) and the application of quality standards for COI in RSD procedures. Learners are guided through a case study that illustrates and discusses the challenges faced when researching and using COI in RSD procedures. It takes the learner through the main questions on COI research methodology.
The COI e-learning course is available for free at https://wissen.roteskreuz.at/course/view.php?id=60.
Blended Learning Course
with the COI Module of EUAA's European Asylum Curriculum
A blended learning course on COI comprises an online phase of 3 weeks (about 12 hours of learning) guided by a tutor and a one-day Face-to-Face Meeting that completes the course.
The course is based on the European Union Agency for Asylum's (EUAA) Training Curriculum. This is a training system dealing with legal and practical issues related to procedures of international protection. The main target group are case workers for state EU+ state authorities. Due to the fact that the Austrian Red Cross/ACCORD was involved in developing the COI module, ACCORD is allowed to use this module also in training for non-governmental target groups.
The COI Module comprises five chapters and offers various interactive exercises, tests and points to further readings.
ACCORD strives to offer at least one blended learning course per year. The course is open for all actors involved in procedures of international protection (like eligibility officers, judges, lawyers, legal counsels). No fees are asked for; however, participants are expected to join the Face-to-Face Meeting and to cover costs for travel and accommodation themselves.
COI Training Workshops
ACCORD offers workshops for Austrian target groups without fee. Workshops for other target groups are based on agreements, expense allowance is asked for.
Workshops are tailored to the needs of a specific target group. It can take between 2 hours and 2 days. Mostly, workshops require access to computers to enable practical research exercises and case studies. Examples of workshops frequently offered:
- Basic workshop for COI research (1.5 to 2 days)
- Workshop for judges and decision-makers at asylum authorities, focusing on how to check the quality of COI in a specific case (half a day)
- ecoi.net workshops present the features of the information system and include practical research on ecoi.net (2 hours)
Contact Information
For questions on COI training please contact ACCORD at training.accord@redcross.at.
Information on COI Training can also be found on www.coi-training.net.
