Provisions on EU Home Affairs Funds amended to help people fleeing Ukraine

The European Commission is proposing changes to the rules governing the European Union's Home Affairs Funds for the 2014-2020 period and the new 2021-2027 period. The proposal aims to allow for efficient use of the funds to support EU Member States to better respond to the increased migration from Ukraine and the needs arising from border control arrangements. The Ministry of the Interior informed the Parliament about the proposal by Union communication on 7 April 2022.

The implementation period for the 2014-2020 programme period is extended by one year

The Commission proposes to extend the implementation period for the programme period 2014-2020 EU Home Affairs Funds by one year.

The amendment would allow expenditure to be eligible under the specific regulations governing the Funds if it has been incurred by the beneficiary by 31 December 2023 and paid by the responsible authority by 30 June 2024. Originally, expenditure should have been incurred by the beneficiary by 31 December 2022 and paid by the responsible authority by 30 June 2023.

The Ministry of the Interior will later provide information on the Funds' website on what the extension of the implementation period means in practice in Finland. In principle, ongoing projects and activities supported by the Funds will not be extended until 31.12.2022, except in specific exceptional cases.

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund regulations amended

It is proposed to amend the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) regulation for the 2014-2020 programme period to allow the use of unused funds from the implementation of the national programme, which have been earmarked for specific purposes, such as the development of resettlement activities for quota refugees, permitted as other activities under the programme.

The aim would be to allow the Member States to better respond to the pressures on their asylum and immigration systems caused by the Ukrainian crisis.

The Commission also proposes to amend the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund Regulation for the 2021-2027 programme period. The aim is to allow for financial contributions from the Member States or public or private donors to the Fund.

Inquiries:
Senior Specialist Nina Routti-Hietala, tel. +358 (0)295 488 242, nin.routti-hietala@govsec.fi