European Commission: Home Affairs

Print versionDecrease textIncrease text

Migration Management – Solidarity in Action

A new budget line (18 03 12) was created in December 2006 on the initiative of the European Parliament for the implementation of actions in 2007 and is entitled "Preparatory Action: Migration management – Solidarity in action". It will finance a number of actions in the area of migration which are complementary to the general framework programme entitled 'Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows' for the period 2007-2013, but which have the potential to provide additional answers to the challenges posed by migratory flows. This complements the policy adopted by the EU which must adopt a comprehensive response to the growing and evolving challenges posed by the management of migratory flows in a globalised world. In this context, 2006 has been a pilot year for the Global Approach proposed by the Commission in November 2005. During that year, the EU and its Member States have succeeded in launching concrete cooperation never seen before. However, 2006 has also seen a further increase in migratory pressure on the EU, particularly on its southern borders. Actions must therefore be further increased and enhanced in a comprehensive way to increase the capabilities of the EU to face the challenges linked to migration.

This page gives a general presentation in three parts:

  • Part I covers the latest developments which occurred within the recent years.
  • Part II gives a general view of the matter concerned.
  • Part III documents and reports.

I) Latest developments

Final evaluation of the Return Preparatory Actions PDF-Datei (PDF File 1.3 MB) Final evaluation of the Return Preparatory Actions Tome 2 PDF-Datei (PDF File 6.3 MB)

II) General context

What are the purposes of Migration Management – Solidarity in action?

The European Parliament has focused on four types of actions to test certain hypotheses to deal with the challenges posed by certain migratory phenomena. These are:

  • Return actions based on integrated return plans;
  • Actions relating to assistance for the employment of immigrants returning to their countries of origin with which there are readmission agreements.
  • Information actions on the legal possibilities to emigrate to the EU and the dangers of illegal immigration;
  • Reception actions for third country nationals having arrived illegally in the Member States by sea.

The Annual Work Programme PDF file [91 KB] has been drafted in order to ensure coherence and complementarity between the various existing programmes and in order to take into account recent developments to include reception actions in relation to the Iraqi caseload in some Member States.

The three main areas of action are:

  1. Return, social and professional reintegration for returnees and preparation of information campaign on illegal immigration.
  2. Assistance to reception challenges.
  3. Portal on immigration information.

Two separate calls for proposals will be published. The first one will deal with Return, social and professional reintegration for returnees and preparation of information campaign on illegal immigration. The second call will be dealing with Assistance to reception challenges; The portal on immigration information will be the object of a call for tender.

1. What kind of actions can be supported by the Return, social and professional reintegration for returnees and preparation of information campaign on illegal immigration?

Strand A: Actions relating to the introduction and improvement of the organisation and implementation of integrated return management

The following actions can be implemented by a single Member State or in partnership with other Member States:

  1. Design and implementation of voluntary return programmes on specific countries or regions of return or transit, including the promotion and facilitation of voluntary returns, in particular through assisted voluntary return programmes;
  2. Design and implementation of plans for forced return – in full respect of relevant international conventions, including the principle of non-refoulement - to countries of origin, former residence or transit, including the simplification of forced returns taking fully into account the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of the persons concerned;
  3. The establishment or improvement of an effective, stable and lasting operational co-operation of competent Member States’ authorities with consular authorities and immigration services of third countries, including cost of travel and accommodation in the Member States for the staff of the authorities and services responsible for the identification of third country nationals and for the verification of their travel documents, with a view to obtaining travel documents for the return of illegally residing third country nationals and ensuring speedy, successful and dignified removal procedures.

Strand B: Actions relating to t he development of cooperation between Member States concerning return plans and the implementation of actions in the framework of such return plans

The following actions must be implemented in partnership with other Member States (the applicant plus at least one more partner in another Member State):

  1. Organisation and execution of joint flights for removal or joint removals by land from the territory of two or more Member States of third country nationals who are the subject of individual removal orders, involving the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union established by Council Regulation (EC) 2007/2004, and using the Information and Co-ordination Network for Member States' Migration Management Services established by Council Decision 2005/267/EC for the exchange of the relevant information concerning the preparation and the evaluation of that operation;
  2. Co-operation in the gathering and provision to potential returnees of information on the country of origin, former residence or transit, including the development of a mechanism for the dissemination of this information through a reliable common system in all languages available to migrants and social workers;
  3. Joint organisation of seminars for practitioners from several Member States on best practices focusing on specific third countries/regions or particularly vulnerable groups;
  4. Joint training for staff of the relevant migration management services of Member States, International Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations involved in the preparation and implementation of return operations, including joint training for counsellors involved in assisting voluntary return operations and escort staff assisting forced return operations.

Strand C: Social and professional reintegration assistance in case of returns to countries of origin with which the European Community has concluded readmission agreements

The following actions can be implemented by a single Member State or in partnership with other Member States:

  1. Design and implementation of plans aiming at the sustainable employment of returnees in local enterprises and at supporting the creation of small enterprises by returnees;
  2. Support for returnees enabling them to cope with initial accommodation and subsistence costs and to reintegrate family and communities of origin;
  3. Support for returnees enabling them to fund start up activities or to have access to training, or to facilitate finding a job.

Strand D: Information campaigns in countries of origin for applicants for immigration into the EU, informing them about the dangers of illegal immigration.

The following actions can be implemented by a single Member State or in partnership with other Member States:

  1. Exchange of best practices on information campaign raising awareness concerning the dangers of irregular immigration to the EU and illegal stay in the EU, which can serve as inspiration for future information campaigns by Member States and the Community in third countries.
  2. Design of information campaigns targeting specific groups of third country nationals or countries aimed at raising awareness concerning the dangers of irregular immigration to the EU and illegal stay in the EU.

Applicants are encouraged to develop the above-mentioned actions taking into account returnees' experiences.

What are the conditions in order to be eligible for funding?

The call for proposals will be open to the national, regional and local authorities of the Member States and to Non Governmental Organisations registered in one of the Member States, as well as International Organisations and Community Agencies, all of them working on a strictly non-profit basis and with proven experience and expertise in the fields covered. Project proposals may include partners and participants from countries of return in their proposals. Partners from Candidate or third countries are not eligible for Community funding, but may participate in the project as partners at their own cost.

2. What kind of actions can be supported by the Assistance to Reception Challenges?

The following actions shall be eligible for support from the preparatory actions:

Strand A: Actions relating to the improvement of the quality and capacity of reception

  1. Actions aimed at enhancing the quality and capacity of the reception conditions and arrangements at the points of arrival and initial reception sites, and in particular the following:
    • accommodation infrastructure and services;
    • the provision of means of subsistence, including food and clothing, and other material aid;
    • medical, psychological or other care and assistance;
    • language assistance;
    • social assistance, information or help with administrative formalities;
    • legal assistance;
    • logistical and transport costs.
  2. Actions aimed at setting up and operating an effective profiling and referral mechanism allowing the authorities to rapidly identify the individuals' needs and to channel their cases accordingly and, in particular, the following:
    • provision of translation and interpretation services, country of origin information and other expertise with a view in particular to establishing the identity, nationality, motives for departure and eventual protection needs or special needs;
    • provision of counselling regarding the options available, including lodging of an asylum application, voluntary and forced return, regular onward migration and special process for victims of trafficking;
    • arrangements for appropriate channelling of individual cases and transportation towards other appropriate reception sites.

Strand B: Actions relating to the pooling of resources and the enhancement of cooperation between Member States

  1. Actions enhancing the cooperation between Member States, including the exchange of best practices, ideas and information, with a view to improving the overall quality and effectiveness of the management of arrivals at the external borders;
  2. Actions relating to the exchange of specialist staff, the organisation of common trainings for staff working in reception sites, the development of programmes aiming at eliminating differences in reception standards offered to new arrivals, and in addressing the needs of unaccompanied minors, victims of trafficking and other vulnerable categories of persons;
  3. Actions helping Member States to effectively pool resources to address particular pressures, and, in particular, the following:
    • establishment and management of a pool of experts that Member States are willing to put at the disposal of the Member States in order to provide operational assistance for the rapid identification of needs at the points of arrival and the subsequent efficient response to these needs, in particular through the provision of legal, linguistic, Country-of-Origin-Information or medical expertise;
    • deployment and all measures relating to the facilitation, coordination and monitoring of the deployment of the above mentioned teams of experts, including the establishment of special guidelines for the performance of their tasks;
    • establishment and management of central records of equipment that Member States are willing to put at the disposal of the Member States facing sudden mass arrivals in order to help them provide adequate reception conditions, including with regard to accommodation and health care.

Strand C: Actions relating to the increase of knowledge and the enhancement of the capacities with a view to developing an effective, comprehensive, cooperative and protection-sensitive entry management

  1. Actions relating to the collection and analysis of data and the establishment and improvement of databases about the characteristics of the specific migratory movements, including information relating to conditions in countries of origin, motivations for movement, modes of transport, patterns of movement, transit routes and entry points, with a view to better understand and anticipate movements and identify appropriate responses.
  2. Actions relating to the development and improvement of a collaborative approach to addressing the issues related to illegal maritime migration and influxes of Iraqi asylum-seekers. These actions include the identification of all relevant stakeholders (governmental bodies, international and regional inter-governmental organisations as well as local and international NGOs), the setting up of appropriate consultation structures and fora for the exchange of information and the establishment of modalities for cooperation and coordination.
  3. Actions relating to training external border services and other immigration officials in particular on protection and human rights issues, on how to meet the needs of unaccompanied minors, victims of trafficking and other categories of persons with special needs, on how to identify and respond to claims for protection, on interview techniques, and working with interpreters.

What are the conditions in order to be eligible for funding?

The call for proposals will be open only to the national, regional and local authorities of Member States. Project proposals can also be submitted by the authorities of more than one Member State participating as partners. Community Agencies, International Organisations, Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations registered in one of the Member States may also participate in the projects as partners, provided they all work on a strictly non-profit basis and have proven experience and expertise in the fields covered.

For further details see the complete text of the two Calls for proposals (right-hand side menu of this page).

3. Portal on immigration information

A call for tender will be launched to create a new web-based portal on migration issues of interest for third-country nationals wishing to immigrate to the European Union.

III) Documents and Reports

Document name Language Format [Size]
2007
Call for proposals "Return Preparatory Actions" 2007 English PDF file [67 KB]
Call for proposals "Reception Preparatory Actions" 2007 English PDF file [62 KB]