Call for Proposals to support Borders and Security Actions

Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is accepting proposals to support the implementation of the EU migration policy’s external dimension, with flexible support to EU member states (EU MS) and partner countries with a particular focus on priority regions including Neighbourhood, Eastern Partnership, Western Balkans and Africa.

The overall strategic guidance, leadership and oversight for the implementation of the MPF are carried out by the MPF Steering Committee (SC). The SC comprises representatives of the EU institutions (DG HOME, DG NEAR, DG INTPA and EEAS) and is chaired by DG HOME, with ICMPD serving as the secretariat and providing technical support/assistance for its functioning.

For the European Union, a constantly changing migration landscape has created new challenges and opportunities for better management, control and security of territorial borders. The MPF has served as an effective instrument to respond to such challenges and opportunities in the border and security realm.

The Facility’s grants support EU Member States, implementing the Team Europea approach, in the formation of partnerships with priority countries such that cooperation for the management of external borders and the overall security in the EU are strengthened.

This includes support targeted at tackling irregular migration, smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings, combatting cross-border crime, enhancing security related risk assessments and bolstering capacities to respond to migration-related crises.

Objectives

• The overall objective of the MPF is to support the implementation of the EU migration policy’s external dimension and its specific political and operational instruments.
• The MPF is currently implemented through four components:
  • Grants
  • Technical Assistance and Support (TAS)
  • Dialogue
  • Knowledge and Communication
• The specific objective of this Call is to support borders and security actions that tackle irregular migration and transnational organised crime through strengthened cooperation between EU MS and partner countries through the provision of targeted and flexible funding. A whole-of-route approach, where relevant, is encouraged.

Funding Information

• The overall indicative amount made available under this Call for Proposals is EUR 13,900,000, divided into 2 lots:
  • Lot 1: Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI)
    • Approximately EUR 3,900,000 is available for projects under this Lot.
  • Lot 2: Internal Security Fund (ISF)
    • Approximately EUR 10,000,000 is available for projects under this Lot.
• Size of grants
  • Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
    • Minimum amount: EUR 200,000
    • Maximum amount: no specific maximum

Duration

• The duration of an action (i.e. end date of grant contract) cannot go beyond 31 May 2027.

Geography Focus

• Eastern Partnership countries, Western Balkans, Southern Neighbourhood, West Africa, Horn of Africa, Silk Route countries, and Central Asia.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligibility of applicants
  • The lead applicant may act individually or with co-applicant(s).
  • Applicants and potential co-applicants have to fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
    • Applicants and co-applicants have to be legal persons. Applications from natural persons are not eligible;
    • Only applications from EU MS participating in the implementation of the BMV and ISF funds are eligible for the respective lots.
  • Moreover,
    • Lead Applicants under this Call have to be:
      • A public body of an EU Member State (at central, regional or local levels).
      • An Agency, Institute, Operator or other legal entity with an official mandate to operate on behalf of a public body of an EU Member State.
      • Note: EU-financed agencies cannot participate as lead applicant, but can participate as co applicant on a no cost basis.)
      • If the lead applicant is not a governmental body at the central level, a letter of support from a relevant central body must be part of the Concept Note package.
    • Co-applicants have to be:
      • Public bodies of a partner country (at central, regional or local levels); or
      • Public bodies of the same or another EU MS; or
      • International organisations (IOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other private law bodies, established in the EU or in partner countries that cooperate with an EU MS in the implementation of migration-related actions, working on a non-profit basis.

For more information, visit ICMPD.