£31million available for integration of third country nationals

The Call for Proposals for the European Integration Fund (EIF) 2012 and 2013 is now open.

The European Fund for the Integration of Third Country Nationals is provided by the EU Directorate General for Home Affairs and is administered in the UK by the UK Border Agency. The fund can provide assistance for projects to better equip Third Country Nationals with the knowledge and skills required to live in the UK.

For the 2012/2013 Call for Proposals projects should focus on the following areas:

Priority 1a - Preparing third-country nationals (TCNs) for their integration into the UK, whilst they are still on the territory of the third country, and are complying with specific pre-departure measures i.e. those who have applied for a visa to enter the UK with a view to settlement. Project activities/focus may include supporting pre-travel measures, which enable TCNs to acquire knowledge and skills necessary for integration, such as English language, and knowledge of the UK’s history, institutions, socio economic features, cultural life and fundamental norms/values.

Priority 1b - Assisting in the integration of TCNs who are legally in the UK with a potential route to settlement, including supporting eligible migrants to become integrated and active members of UK society through provision of ESOL, pre-employment advice, generic employability skills and signposting to vocational training, voluntary and community activities and mentoring opportunities. (Note: job brokerage activities are not eligible).

Priority 3 - Policy capacity building, co-ordination and intercultural competence building in the UK, across the different levels and departments of government, targeting:

• Introduction and implementation schemes gathering and analysing information about the needs of TCNs at local/ regional level by involving platforms for consultation of TCNs and for exchange of information between stakeholders and by conducting surveys among immigrant communities on how best to respond to those needs.
• As a result of a researched need, building sustainable organisational structures for integration and diversity management, developing cooperation between different stakeholders enabling officials at various levels to gain information about experiences and practices elsewhere and, to pool resources.

Priority 4 - Projects that facilitate the exchange of experience, good practice and information on integration between Member States focussing on ensuring that integration is an important component of policy on economic migration, and on promoting the acquisition of basic knowledge of the host society, its language, history, institutions and respect for the basic values of the host society, and including, fostering co-operation between regional and local authorities from different Member States in the development and implementation of integration policies and measures.

UK based NGOs, charities, academic institutions, local government, intergovernmental organisations, limited companies and partnerships made up of these organisations are eligible to apply. The minimum grant applied for must be £200,000. There is no maximum grant size. Grants must normally be matched 50:50 with funds from non-EU sources, however, some projects may be eligible for up to 75% co-funding.

The closing date for applications to the first round is 11 March 2013. However, the Call will remain "open" until February 2014, with five events being run. The closing date for each event is detailed in the Application Guidance.

Further information is available on the at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsfragments/76-eif.