Based on experience accumulated over recent years, the European Commission presented a guide on Wednesday 24 January for national and regional authorities. This guide will help the latter set up migrant integration strategies and enhance the use of European funds, particularly with regard to possible synergies.
The project was presented by three Commissioners - Dimitris Avramopoulos (Immigration), Marianne Thyssen (Social Affairs), Corina Crețu (Regional Affairs) - who highlighted the importance of integrating these sections of the population, particularly at a local level and helping them adapt their skills to the requirements of the European market.
The guide is therefore seeking to improve the use of new European funds, including the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) and Erasmus and to create the necessary synergies in this context.
The document therefore explains the major stages required for using these funds, which are based around five priorities: reception, education, employment, accommodation and access to public services. The priority points are presented in each section, as well as the European solutions and financial support possible.
The guide also clarifies the main principles that have to be respected, such as non-discrimination, gender balance and tailor-made responses according to requirements.
When the migration crisis was at its peak, the Commission planned on reprogramming the ESI funds to deal with this crisis (see EUROPE 11433).
The guide can be seen at the following link (currently only available in English): http://bit.ly/2GcEvq9 (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)