Integration Fund (2007-13)

This decision establishes a European Integration Fund (EIF) of €825 million for the period 2007-13 as part of the general programme “Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows”.

ACT

Council Decision 2007/435/EC of 25 June 2007 establishing the European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals for the period 2007 to 2013 as part of the General programme “Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows”.

SUMMARY

This decision sets out the objectives of the European Fund for the Integration of non-European Union (EU) country nationals (EIF) and the rules for its management. It also establishes the available financial resources for the fund and the criteria for their allocation.

Eligible actions

The EIF finances national, transnational and EU level actions that are intended to facilitate the integration of non-EU country nationals in the host countries, targeting recent arrivals in particular. National actions are implemented by the EU countries within the framework of multiannual programming consistent with the EU’s strategic guidelines for the intervention of the fund (shared management). The budget allocated for EU level actions is implemented by the Commission (direct management).

The EIF supports national actions that:

• facilitate the development and implementation of appropriate admission procedures designed to support the integration process;
• support the development and implementation of the integration process, particularly in relation to non-EU country nationals recently arrived in the host country;
• enhance the capacity of EU countries to develop, implement, follow up and evaluate policies for the integration of non-EU country nationals;
• support the exchanges of information and good practices in and between EU countries by developing, implementing and assessing policies and measures for the integration of non-EU country nationals.

The EIF supports transnational and EU level actions that:

• set up pilot projects and cooperation networks founded on transnational partnerships with a view to promoting exchanges of information and good practices;
• organise transnational information and awareness-raising campaigns;
• concern the publication of comparative studies and joint pilot projects;
• assist the development of statistical tools, methods and indicators designed to measure the level of development of integration policies.

The Commission adopts a programme determining the priorities for each year and publishes calls for proposals for transnational projects.

Principles governing the fund’s actions

In line with the priorities and objectives laid down by the EU, the EIF provides grants to support actions of a non-profit nature already co-financed by public or private sources. Support from the fund may not exceed 50% of the cost of national actions. Exceptionally, this may be increased to 75% for projects addressing specific priorities identified in the strategic guidelines. The EU contribution is increased to 75% in EU countries covered by the Cohesion Fund.

The Commission adopts strategic guidelines for the period 2007-13, defining EU level priorities for each of the objectives of the fund.

The Commission approves EU countries' multiannual programmes that set out on the basis of the Commission’s strategic guidelines a strategy for and a description of the actions designed to achieve their objectives, as well as additional indications regarding project financing. It also adopts annual financing decisions approving each annual programme implementing the multiannual programme.

Committee, review and repeal

The Commission is assisted by the Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows Committee.

This decision must be reviewed by the European Parliament and the Council by 30 June 2013.

Background

This decision carries forward the recommendations of the Hague Programme and furthers the Commission communication of 1 September 2005 on a common integration programme and pilot projects and preparatory actions in the field of integration (INTI programme). With resources totalling €825 million for the period 2007-13, the fund is part of the general programme “Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows”, established by the Commission communication of 6 April 2005.

RELATED ACTS

Commission Decision 2008/457/EC of 5 March 2008 laying down rules for the implementation of Council Decision 2007/435/EC establishing the European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals for the period 2007 to 2013 as part of the General programme “Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows” as regards Member States’ management and control systems, the rules for administrative and financial management and the eligibility of expenditure on projects co-financed by the Fund [Official Journal L 167 of 27.6.2008]. This decision establishes rules for EU countries’ application of actions under the EIF. It contains provisions on designated authorities and the delegation of tasks to these authorities. The decision also provides for the drawing up of a manual by EU countries that sets out the procedures and practical arrangements for the designated authorities’ application of the fund. In addition, the decision lists the information EU countries must submit to the Commission on the use of the fund, in particular as regards the description of their management and control systems, and when reporting irregularities. For the first, information must also be submitted by electronic means if possible. To this end, the Commission will develop a computer system. Finally, the decision also lays down rules on the information to be provided to beneficiaries as well as on the publicity for the general public regarding the fund.

Last updated: 10.08.2010