New act to manage EU Home Affairs Funds enters into force

On 16 December 2021, the President of the Republic approved a bill for an act on managing the programmes under the Home Affairs Funds and on implementing a grant scheme. The act will enter into force on 22 December 2021.

The act lays down provisions on the grounds for the national scheme of grants awarded from the resources of the European Union Home Affairs Funds and provisions necessary for the management of the programmes under the Funds during the programming period 2021–2027.

The act also lays down transitional provisions concerning the programming period 2014–2020.
The act simplifies the management of the Funds, for example by enabling more extensive use of simplified forms of grants, such as lump sums. The aim is to reduce the administrative burden for beneficiaries and the managing authority for the Funds and to pay more attention to the results of operations supported by the Funds.

The programmes are managed by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Finance is responsible for auditing their activities.

Three Funds have been established in the field of home affairs for the programming period 2021–2027: the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the Internal Security Fund (ISF), and, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI). The purpose of the Funds is, among other things, to promote the management of migration matters, prevent phenomena that undermine security and support the security of the EU’s external borders.

Inquiries:
Nina Routti-Hietala, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 242, [email protected]
Sanna Virtanen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 300, [email protected]

Further information can also be requested from [email protected].