Background

For the periode 2007-2013 there was one General Programme "Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows" consisting of  four funds: the Refugee Fund, the European Integration Fund, the European Return Fund and the External Borders Funds.

Through these instruments, the EU not only seeks to strengthen its common migration, asylum and border policies, but also to uphold European solidarity, so that those EU countries that face the largest financial burden are adequately supported.

In the Framework Programme "Security and Safeguarding Liberties", which promotes effective European cross-border cooperation in the fight against crime and terrorism and improved crime prevention activities were supported through two specific financial programmes: "Prevention, Preparedness and Consequence Management of Terrorism and other Security-related Risks" (CIPS) and "Prevention of and Fight against Crime" (ISEC)

New Home Affairs Funds 2014-2020

For the new Multifinancial Framework 2014-2020 these six funds were reduced to two.

The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) aims to contribute to the implementation, strengthening and development of the common policy on asylum and immigration.

Accordingly, the programme will finance actions to strengthen and develop all aspects of the Common European Asylum System, to support legal migration to the member states and to promote the effective integration of third-country nationals, to enhance fair and effective return strategies in the member states and the solidarity and responsibility sharing between the member states, in particular towards those most affected by migration and asylum flows.

The financial envelope for the implementation of the programme 2014-2020 is set at € 3.137 million in current prices. € 385 million is collectively allocated to emergency assistance, for example, in situations of extreme migratory pressure in one or more Member States, or in third countries where refugees are stranded; facilitating the European Migration Network; and supporting Union actions.

The Internal Security Fund (ISF) is divided into two:

The ISF- Borders aims to contribute to ensuring a high level of security in the Union while facilitating legitimate travel, through a uniform and high level of control of the external borders and the effective processing of Schengen visas.

Accordingly, the programme will finance actions supporting a common visa policy to facilitate legitimate travel, and tackle illegal immigration, integrated border management to ensure a uniform and high level of control and protection of the external borders and the smooth crossing of the external borders.

The financial envelope for the implementation of the programme 2014-2020 is set at € 2.760 million. € 791 million is collectively allocated for developing IT systems, supporting the management of migration flows across the external borders.

The ISF-Police aims to contribute to ensuring a high level of security in the EU.

Accordingly, the programme will support actions related to crime prevention, combating cross-border, serious and organised crime including terrorism, and reinforcing cooperation between law enforcement authorities. It will also support actions to enhance the capacity of member states and the EU for managing effectively security-related risks and crisis, and preparing for and protecting people and critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks.

The financial envelope for the implementation of the programme 2014-2020 is set at € 1.004 million.

The regulations will enter into force on the day following that of their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and will apply from 1 January 2014.

Additional information:

In the press release of the Council.
On the two home affairs funds - AMIF and ISF.
In UNHCR Statement on the adoption of the AMIF (attached)