Webinar- Local Challenges Ahead: Municipalities and Civil Society's Role in Monitoring CEAS Implementation

On 2 July 2026, the Impact Cities project hosted its first webinar, “Local Challenges Ahead: Municipalities and Civil Society in the CEAS Implementation,” bringing together municipalities, civil society organisations, researchers and practitioners to discuss the early impacts of the EU’s reformed Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Collective Aid was invited as advocacy organisation to speak about the monitoring difficulties we face and the practical challenges we expect to emerge on the ground as implementation unfolds. The discussion offered an important opportunity to reflect on how the new framework may affect local responses, frontline support, and the protection of fundamental rights.

Early signs on the ground

As CEAS implementation begins, several early warning signs are already becoming visible. Participants highlighted increased pressure on municipalities due to reduced access to reception conditions, which may leave more people at risk of homelessness and social exclusion. They also pointed to the expansion of border and detention procedures, which will place additional demands on local authorities and services, especially in border regions.

Another major concern raised during the webinar was the growing criminalisation of civil society organisations and humanitarian actors supporting people on the move. At the same time, implementation across Member States remains uneven, creating uncertainty and inconsistent protection standards.

Municipalities under pressure

Municipalities are expected to play an increasingly important role in responding to the practical consequences of the Pact. This includes providing access to basic services, responding to increased demand for housing and social assistance, and supporting inclusion while operating under growing legal and financial constraints.

The webinar discussion made clear that local authorities are being asked to do more, often with fewer resources and within increasingly complex legal environments. Balancing national migration policy with local responsibilities and human rights obligations will be one of the key challenges ahead.

The role of civil society

Civil society organisations play a crucial role in monitoring implementation on the ground, documenting emerging trends and rights violations, and providing legal, humanitarian and social support to affected communities. During the webinar, participants emphasised the importance of building partnerships between municipalities and civil society in order to improve local responses and strengthen accountability.

For organisations working directly with people on the move, the ability to observe, document and report from the field remains essential. This is especially true at a time when policy changes may be felt most sharply by those already living in precarious or excluded conditions.

Key takeaways

Participants agreed on several priorities moving forward. These include strengthening cooperation between municipalities and civil society organisations, improving coordination through data sharing and joint monitoring, and sharing local experiences and promising practices across European cities.

There was also strong agreement on the need to develop coordinated advocacy efforts to ensure that the implementation of the Pact respects fundamental rights. Equally important is the need to continue creating spaces for dialogue between local authorities, practitioners and civil society actors.

Please read the summary of the event here.