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Odysseus - to help strengthen EU-wide cooperation in the field of asylum, immigration and external borders

The Odysseus programme was designed to extend and strengthen existing EU-wide cooperation in the field of asylum, immigration and crossing of the EUs external borders, through training and exchange of officials, studies and research. It ran until 2002. The programme is no longer in force, and some areas are included within a new programme, called ARGO.

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

II) General context

On 19 March 1998, the EU Council of Ministers adopted a programme of training, exchanges and cooperation in the field of asylum, immigration and crossing of external borders (Joint Action 98/244/JHA, OJ L99, 31.3.1998). This programme, which was allocated EUR 12 million, coverd the period 19982002. It was granted an annual budget of roughly EUR 3 million in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

What was the aim of the Odysseus programme?

The general objective of the Odysseus programme was to extend and strengthen existing cooperation in the matter of asylum, immigration and the crossing of external borders within the Member States of the Union, and cooperation in the same areas with States applying for accession. Public or private institutions, non-governmental organisations, research institutes and universities and training bodies could take part in the programme.

What did the programme finance in practice?

  • Training , ranging from basic training to top-level specialist training and training for instructors
  • Exchanges of officials or those responsible for the matters to which the programme relates
  • Studies and research and the dissemination of information

What was the role of the European Commission?

The European Commission was responsible for implementing the programme. Each year the annual programme was published in theOfficial Journal of the European Communities with a list of the priorities adopted by the programme management committee, consisting of representatives of the 15 Member States. On the basis of this annual programme, project proposals were submitted to the Commission, which following evaluation, selected a number of projects for funding.

Further information on Odysseus

Secretary of the programme: e-mail: JAI-ODYSSEUS@ec.europa.eu

III) Documents and Reports