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European Refugee Fund to help the EU Member States receive refugees and displaced persons
A European Refugee Fund of EUR 216 million has been created to help Member States of the European Union* receive asylum seekers, refugees and displaced persons. It is due to operate under its present form until 31 December 2004.
* Denmark does not participate due to the Protocol on the Position of Denmark regarding measures under Title IV of the Treaty
This page gives a general presentation in three parts:
I) Latest developments
PLS Ramboll has carried out a Mid-Term evaluation of the implementation of the European Refugee Fund as foreseen in the Council Decision. The report can be downloaded in the “Evaluation” Right menu.
Update 29/09/2009: NEW: the 2009 call for proposals is open. The deadline for submission of the proposals is the 30 November 2009. The documents related to the call for proposals as well as the guidelines, are available on pages of the new program. |
Update 20/01/2009: NEW: the 2008 call for proposals is open. The deadline for submission of the proposals is the 23 March 2009. The documents related to the call for proposals as well as the guidelines, are available on pages of the new program. The French and German versions of the call for proposals will be available in the next few days. |
On 2 December 2004 The Council adopted the decision 2004/904/EC extending the European Refugee Fund for the period 2005 to 2010 to ensure continued solidarity between Member States in the light of recently adopted Community legislation in the field of asylum, taking account of the experience acquired when implementing the first phase of the Fund for the period 2000 to 2004.
On 12 February 2004, the Commission presented a proposal for a Council Decision establishing the European Refugee Fund for the period 2005-2010 (COM(2004)102 Final)
European Fund conference, Brussels, 30-31 October 2003
II) General context
The preparation of a common policy on asylum is a constituent part of the European Unions objective of gradually creating an area of freedom, security and justice open to those who, forced by circumstances, legitimately seek protection in the European Union.
The European Refugee Fund fosters solidarity between Member States and promotes balance in the efforts they make in receiving asylum seekers, refugees and displaced persons.
The European Refugee Fund also supports Member States action to promote the social and economic integration of refugees.
It provides practical support to help asylum seekers, refugees and displaced persons take an informed decision to leave the territory of the Member States and return home, should they so wish.
Also, at the Commisssions initiative, it finances pilot initiatives and exchanges between Member States.
Finally, as called for by the European Council at its meeting in Tampere on 15 and 16 October 1999, the European Refugee Fund may also be used to finance emergency measures to provide temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of refugees.
Which groups are targeted by the European Refugee Fund?
- Any third-country nationals or stateless persons having the status defined by the Geneva Convention of 28 July 1951 relating to the Status of Refugees and permitted to reside as refugees in one of the Member States.
- Any third-country nationals or stateless persons enjoying a form of international protection granted by a Member State in accordance with its national legislation or practice.
- Any third-country nationals or stateless persons who have applied for one of the forms of protection described in points 1 and 2.
- Third-country nationals or stateless persons benefiting from temporary protection arrangements in a Member State.
- Persons whose right to temporary protection is being examined in a Member State.
What kind of measures may be supported by the Fund?
The Fund supports Member States action relating to:
- conditions for reception;
- integration of persons whose stay in the Member State is of a lasting and/or stable nature;
- repatriation, provided that the persons concerned have not acquired a new nationality and have not left the territory of the Member State.
With regard to the conditions for reception and access to asylum procedures, the action may concern in particular infrastructure or services for accommodation, supply of material aid, health care, social assistance or help with administrative and judicial formalities, including legal assistance. Here, account may also be taken of the special needs of the most vulnerable persons.
As regards integration into the society of the Member State of residence of persons and members of their family, the action may in particular be to provide social assistance in areas such as housing, means of subsistence and health care or to enable beneficiaries to adjust to the society of the Member State or to provide for themselves.
As regards repatriation, the action may concern in particular information and advice about voluntary return programmes and the situation in the country of origin and/or general or vocational training and help in resettlement.
Which actions can be financed at the Commissions initiative?
At the Commissions initiative, up to 5% of the Funds available resources may be used to finance innovatory action or action of interest to the Community as a whole, separate from the action implemented by the Member States, including studies, exchanges of experience and steps to promote cooperation at Community level, as well as assessment of the implementation of measures and technical assistance. The Commission examines the applications submitted by two or more Member States with a view to the joint implementation of transnational initiatives. The Fund may provide up to 100% of the funding for such action.
The Commission will publish a Call for Proposals in the near future. Please check our web-site. This call will be published for each budget year containing the relevant information (dates, required documents, etc.)
Can the European Refugee Fund be used to finance emergency measures?
Yes. By decision of the EU Council of Ministers, acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission, the Fund may also be used to finance emergency measures, separate from and in addition to the action referred to above, to help one or more or all Member States in the event of a sudden mass influx of refugees or displaced persons, or if it was necessary to evacuate them from a third country, in particular in response to an appeal by international organisations.
Eligible emergency measures cover the following types of action:
- reception and accommodation;
- provision of means of subsistence, including food and clothing;
- medical, psychological or other assistance;
- staff and administration costs incurred as a result of the reception of persons and implementation of the measures;
- costs of logistics and transport.
How are actions financed by the Fund actually implemented?
The Member States are responsible (List of Responsible Authorities in the Member States 
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How should requests for co-financing be made?
Member States send to the Commission each year a request for co-financing for their implementation programme for the following year, the year in question, which describes, for each of the domains referred to above:
- the situation in the Member State and the requirements justifying the implementation of measures eligible for support from the Fund;
- the actions the Member State intends to implement, including:
- their nature and their purpose;
- the expected quantified results;
- their cost as well as the funding from the Member State and, where applicable, from the organisation(s) involved.
In addition, the first request for co-financing shall include a description of the system put in place by the Member State to:
- ensure coordination and consistency of actions;
- select projects and ensure the procedure is transparent;
- manage, monitor, check and evaluate projects.
The request must contain, for each of the aspects referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, sufficiently detailed information to enable the Commission to verify that it complies with the provisions of this decision and the financial rules in force.
As for the "Community Actions" realised at the Commission's initiative, each year a call for proposals will be published.
What are the selection criteria?
Member States have sole responsibility for the selection of individual projects and for the financial management and administration of projects supported by the Fund, with due respect for Community policies and the criteria for eligibility. Following a public call for proposals, projects, which must be of a non-profit making nature, are presented by public authorities (national, regional or local, central or devolved), education or research institutions, training establishments, the social partners, government agencies, international organisations or non-governmental organisations, operating individually or in partnerships, with a view to obtaining funding from the Fund. The responsible authority selects projects on the basis of the following criteria:
- the situation and requirements in the Member State;
- the cost-effectiveness of the expenditure, in view of the number of persons concerned by the project;
- the experience, expertise, reliability and financial contribution of the organisation applying for funding and any partner organisation;
- the extent to which the projects complement other action funded by the budget of the European Communities or as part of national programmes.