Our goal

Well-functioning national systems for asylum, migration, and integration in line with international and European human rights standards.

Rationale for the support

Over the past years, Europe has faced several events with major repercussions for migration, asylum, and integration. The war in Ukraine caused the largest displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War, especially women and children. The continued pressure on the routes across the Mediterranean and the Western Balkans adds to the challenge of increased migratory flows.

A well-functioning asylum, migration and integration system complying with human rights standards provides certainty, clarity and decent conditions for people arriving in Europe, and allows the public to trust that migration is managed in a humane and effective way.

Beneficiaries of international protection often face barriers to accessing employment, education, healthcare, housing, and social services. Integration based on non-discrimination, equal opportunities, rights and duties fosters social cohesion and a dynamic economy that works for all.

The 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol are the key legal instruments defining ‘refugees’, their rights, and the legal obligations of states. The European Pact on Migration and Asylum and the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) set the common minimum standards concerning migration and asylum processes in the EU. A comprehensive migration and asylum system requires a well-functioning integration policy. The EU has developed the Action plan on Integration and Inclusion 2021–2027 to support the Member States in this field.
 

Areas of support

  • National systems for asylum, migration, and integration, including ensuring they are child- and gender-sensitive.
  • Migrants, asylum seekers and refugees exercising their rights, with a special focus on unaccompanied children and other vulnerable groups.
  • Operationalisation of national strategies and policies for integration.

How the objective will be addressed

The areas of support provide for a comprehensive approach to the asylum and migration chain. Strengthened capacities through digitalisation and smart ways of working will improve the quality and efficiency of the asylum chain, ensuring access to procedures and enabling migrants, asylum seekers and refugees to exercise their rights. Provisions for guardianship for unaccompanied children and legal assistance should be supported.

Support to strategic and contingency planning will prepare systems for unpredictable influxes of applications.

The programme area supports the various stages of integration, i.e. reception and early integration for refugees and asylum seekers as well as long-term integration for refugees granted permanent or temporary residency. Appropriate housing and services in the early stages are basic rights, but also support further integration. Quality interpretation services and integration measures will also support migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in exercising their rights. Facilitating access to health services, education, and employment will reduce the risk of social exclusion. Countering misinformation, disinformation and hate speech directed towards asylum seeker and refugee groups will foster an inclusive environment.

The programme area provides support to facilitate the return of people with rejected asylum claims. Development of strategies related to return policies may be explored and developed.

The programme area will also enable the exchange of knowledge and best practices, either bilaterally or multilaterally, on ways to improve national asylum, migration, and integration systems.

The programme area will strengthen the cooperation between national and local authorities and civil society organisations.
 

Key actors and beneficiaries

Public entities at national and local levels are the main stakeholders in bringing about the desired change. Civil society and international organisations play an important role in this programme area.

Civil society organisations can bring experience from working directly with migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. The end beneficiaries are migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, especially children and people in vulnerable situations.