This paper seeks to consider current challenges in initial assessment processes across National Contact Points (NCPs) and identify good practice to help ensure consistency and encourage resolution of issues as well as functional equivalence. It will seek to answer the following questions: what does the Procedural Guidance say about initial assessments?; how do NCPs undertake initial assessments in practice?; what are the perspectives of institutional stakeholders with respect to initial assessments?; and what are some of the good practices for NCPs with respect to initial assessments?
