This week, the strategic partnership of the European Council for Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) published “The Way Forward – A reflection paper on the new proposals for EU funds on Asylum, Migration and Integration 2021-2027”. This reflection paper addresses the proposals of most relevance to beneficiaries of the current Asylum Migration & Integration Fund (AMIF) 2014-20, and those that are proposed to be implemented by Member States via ‘shared management’ arrangements (National Programmes). It concentrates mainly on the proposed Asylum & Migration Fund (AMF) and European Social Fund+ (ESF+).
The paper can be read in conjunction with the study “The Way Forward – A Comprehensive Study of the new Proposals for EU funds on Asylum, Migration and Integration”, also published by the ECRE and UNHCR strategic partnership. This reflection paper does not aim to provide a complete analysis of the new proposals, instead it notes key risks and potential mitigating actions the followings seven key areas; 1. Integration 2. Programming 3. Distribution of asylum and migration funding to Member States 4. Allocation of funds within National Programmes (Asylum & Migration Fund) 5. Participation of third countries (Asylum & Migration Fund) 6. Partnership 7. Access to funding for civil society organisations and local authorities.
Amongst other recommendations, the paper suggests ring-fencing funding for migrant integration in the ESF+ and amending the proposed AMF distribution key to ensure that the distribution of funding maps onto national capabilities.
For further information:
- ECRE/UNHCR, The Way Forward – A Comprehensive Study of the new Proposals for EU funds on Asylum, Migration and Integration, October 2018
- ECRE, ECRE comments On The European Commission Proposal On The Asylum And Migration Fund (AMF), September 2018
- European Commission, Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Asylum and Migration Fund, June 2018
- European Commission, Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), May 2018
This article appeared in the ECRE Weekly Bulletin . You can subscribe to the Weekly Bulletin here.