The objective of the ERF is to support and encourage the efforts made by the Member States in receiving and bearing the consequences of receiving refugees and displaced persons.
Objectives
Community Actions should concern the following areas:
- The furthering of Community cooperation in implementing community law and good practices;
- Support for the setting-up of transnational cooperation networks and pilot projects based on transnational partnerships between bodies located in two or more Member States designed to stimulate innovation, facilitate exchanges of experience and good practice and improve the quality of asylum policy;
- Support for transnational awareness-raising campaigns on European asylum policy and the situation and circumstances of the persons referred to in Article 3 of the ERF decision;
- Support for dissemination and exchange of information, including the use of IT and communications technology, on best practices and all other aspects of the ERF.
Priorities
In the light of recent developments in asylum policy, including the Hague Programme, and the adoption of instruments of Community legislation of the first stage relating to the Common European Asylum System, the following priorities have been defined for 2007.
- The correct implementation of the Community legislation of the first stage of the Common European Asylum System. This should include actions to improve the quality of asylum decision making and the continuing development of the capacity of stakeholders, including Member State authorities, UNHCR and non-governmental actors, in the asylum field.
- Activities facilitating the practical and collaborative cooperation envisaged in the Hague Programme between Member States' national administrations. Particular emphasis should be given to actions aimed at jointly compiling, assessing and applying country of origin information and for addressing particular pressures on the asylum systems of Member States.
- The promotion of good practices and new developments in the field of resettlement in EU Member States including the strategic use of resettlement, the resettlement of vulnerable groups, emergency resettlement, resettlement transit arrangements, group resettlement, establishment and operation of resettlement programmes in collaboration with UNHCR, and the development of innovative methods such as private sponsorship for resettlement.
- Integration and empowerment of persons benefiting from international protection, in particular through involvement of education institutions, professional and employers organisations, trade unions, refugee communities and other relevant organisations. Encouraging better information and fairer perception of the situation faced by asylum seekers, refugees and people granted subsidiary protection in the EU.
- Promotion of common measures to address specific needs of vulnerable groups among asylum seekers and persons benefiting from international protection, such as victims of violence and torture, women at risk, minors and unaccompanied minors, elderly people, people kept in prolonged detention, and people with serious medical needs.
This is the 2007 call and represents the last chance to bid before new rules for the Fund come into place on 1 January 2008. The purpose of this notice is to invite proposals for co-financing for activities covered by the Community Actions Annual Work Programme 2007, which was adopted on 27 September 2007.
Grants cannot exceed 80% of the total eligible cost. The minimum grant is €80,000 and the maximum is €500,000. Projects cannot last more than 18 months and should start before 31 August 2008.
Eligible Activities
- Community Actions relating to furthering Community cooperation in implementing Community legislation and good practices
- The Setting up of transnational cooperation networks and pilot projects based on transnational partnerships
- Community Actions relating to awareness-raising campaigns on European asylum policy and the situation and circumstances faced by asylum seekers, refugees and displaced persons
- Community actions which support the dissemination and exchange of information, including the use of IT and communications technology, on best practices and all other aspects of the fund
Complete details of the call are available at http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/funding/2004_2007/refugee/funding_refugee_en.htm
The closing date for applications is Friday 30 November 2007.
The Commission service responsible for implementing the European Refugee Fund is Unit B-4 of Directorate General JLS – Justice, Freedom and Security.
European Commission
DG Justice, Freedom and Security
DG JLS /B4 – ERF
LX 46 2/122
BE-1049
Brussels
E-mail: JLS-EUROPEAN-REFUGEE-FUND@ec.europa.eu
Applications sent by any other means (e.g. by fax or e-mail) or delivered at other addresses will be rejected. The envelope must be marked:
"ERF Community Actions - CALL 2007 - NOT TO BE OPENED BY THE INTERNAL MAIL SERVICE"
New ERF 2008 - 2013
The new European Social Fund schedules to start after 1 January 2008, will involve development of the Common European Asylum System, which the UK has opted into. The majority of the €628 million on offer between 2008-13 will go on national programmes to be decided by the Government in liaison with the Commission. Each year before 1 March the annual programmes will be agreed.
