Dear attendees,

First of all, I would like to congratulate the organizers, but also thank each one of you for your participation in this very interesting conference.

Migration, is a timeless and unavoidable reality. Migration is here to stay! Hence migrants and refugees cannot be treated forever as foreign bodies in the host societies. Social exclusion, in addition to its humanitarian aspect, carries risks which in the long run can take on dangerous social dimensions. It is therefore clear that states and local authorities must take timely and effective measures to integrate the newly arrived population groups, in order to ensure economic prosperity and social peace.

In this context, the European Funds Unit, as the Responsible Authority for the management of the funds allocated to Cyprus under the Home Affairs Funds (namely Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and Internal Security Fund) and through the implementation of certain projects, is looking forward to contribute, to the effective management of migration flows. Hence, the RA is considered to be the financial tool for the management of the migration flows.

More specifically, The European Funds Unit of the Ministry of Interior, is responsible for the management of European funds for the implementation of projects falling under the competencies of several Ministries but also for projects that can be implemented by companies and local authorities.
Home Affairs Funds, consist of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (also known as AMIF) and the Internal Security Fund (known as ISF).

AMIF aims to support the efforts of the Member States for the adoption and development of:
1. A Common European Asylum System,
2. A common European policy on the integration of legal migrants and beneficiaries of international protection, as well as of
3. An effective return policy, in compliance with the principles of dignity and safeguarding of human rights.

Cyprus, like all EU Member States, has two National Programs under which the European funding is allocated and the various projects are co-financed. Both the National AMIF Program and the National ISF Program have been drafted by the European Funds Unit and the Ministry of Interior, after consultation with the relevant stakeholders. The Programs which aim to meet both the needs and priorities of Cyprus as well as the policies of the European Union also receive the approval of the European Commission.

It is noted that the implementation period of projects co-financed by the Home Affairs Funds 2014-2020, was initially set between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2022 However it was recently extended until 2023, in order to assist the Member States manage the crisis caused both by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Cyprus received through the Home Affairs, funding amounting to almost €117 million. Specifically, Cyprus received €39,105,838 through AMIF, €58,527,021.52 through ISF-Borders and Visas and €9,245,335 through ISF-Police Cooperation. In addition, the European Commission, recognizing the increased migration challenges our country faces, granted an additional amount €10.2 million as Emergency Assistance .

As far as it concerns AMIF, the European funding received by Cyprus was allocated to each specific objective of the National Program. More specifically, Asylum objective was allocated €13.5 million, Integration: €11.7 million, Return: €9.4 million, Solidarity and Relocation / resettlement were allocated approximately €1 million and the rest of the amount was used as Technical Assistance covering the expenses and the needs of the RA.

At this point I would like to give you some examples of projects funded through AMIF.

29 projects were implemented under the Specific objective 1 – Asylum, such as the following:
1. Examination Centre near the First Reception Centre ‘Pournara’ in Kokkinotrimithia
2. Supporting the Operation of the Reception and Accommodation Centre for Applicants for International Protection in Kofinou
3. Provision of nursing services in Kofinou Reception Centre and Menoyia Detention Centre
4. Operation of an Open Reception Centre for Unaccompanied Minors, Third Country Nationals
5. Support services for the Asylum Service to manage the claims for international protection

50 projects were implemented under the Specific objective 2 – Integration. Some examples are considered to be:
1. Support services for the Migration Sector of CRMD
2. Migrant Info - Centre (MIC)
3. Integration Programmes by Local Communitie
4. Greek language programme and mediation services for TCN minors
5. Greek Language Learning Program (adults)

17 projects were implemented under the Specific objective 3 – Return, like for example:
1. Co-funding the operation of Menoyia Detention Centre
2. Forced and Voluntary Returns by the Civil Registry and Migration Department
3. Forced Return Monitoring Mechanism
4. Assisted Voluntary Returns and Reintegration Centre
5. Provision of nursing services in Kofinou Reception Centre and Menoyia Detention Centre

A project titled as “Relocation of thirty (30) vulnerable applicants of international protection from Cyprus to Finland” was implemented under Specific objective 4 – Solidarity.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The European Funds Unit of the Ministry shall continue to be the Managing Authority for the Management of the EU Home Affairs Funds during the Programming Period 2021-2027.

For the new Programming Period, the Home Affairs Funds shall consist of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF).

The General Objective of the AMIF policy is to contribute to the efficient management of migration flows and the implementation, enhancement and development of a common asylum and migration policy, according to the acquis and fully observing the international obligations of the Union and its Member States.

For the period 2021-2027 Cyprus will receive initially a total funding of €59,127,196 from AMIF, an amount 50% higher than the total amount given to Cyprus during the Programming Period 2014-2020. During the implementation of the Program this amount is expected to increase.
It shall be noted that the new National Programs of Cyprus for AMIF, BMVI and ISF are expected to be approved in the forthcoming months.

In closing, lets watch a short film on the co-financing received by Cyprus during the programming period 2014-2020.

Thank you for your attention!