Deadline: 31 May 2019

The EU Funds Unit of the Department of Justice and Equality is issuing a proposals for projects suitable for funding under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020.

The EU Asylum Migration and Integration Fund 2014-20204 is to promote the efficient management of migration flows and the implementation, strengthening and development of a common EU approach to asylum and immigration.

Objectives

The Fund has four Specific objectives:

• to strengthen and develop all aspects of the Common European Asylum System, including its external dimension;
• to support legal migration to the Member States in accordance with their economic and social needs, such as labour market needs, while safeguarding the integrity of the immigration systems of Member States, and to promote the effective integration of third country nationals;
• to enhance fair and effective return strategies in the Member States which contribute to combating illegal immigration, with an emphasis on sustainability of return and effective re-admission in the countries of origin and transit; and
• to enhance solidarity and responsibility sharing between the Member States, in particular towards those most affected by migration and asylum flows, including through practical co-operation.

Funding Information

• The Responsible Authority (EU Funds Unit) may commit up to €4.5 million in this Call.
• €150,000 is the minimum AMIF grant that may be applied for (that is, a project with a minimum total budget of €200,000). EU Funds Unit reserves the right to make a grant offer that differs from the grant requested.

Projects

This call is open to public, private and voluntary bodies carrying out the following projects:

• Reception/ Asylum initiatives – which will include projects with a focus on improvement of services for asylum seekers. In addition, the call is looking for projects that will address particular needs in the area of education and language training including assisting third country national children with school homework;
• Integration/ Legal Migration – this covers a broad range of activities such as advocacy and support for access to mainstream services; housing supports for migrants leaving direct provision; increasing awareness about Irish society; provision of information services; activities involving local community groups; promoting cultural awareness; etc. Projects that will assist third country nationals and eligible asylum seekers to overcome barriers to employment will also be welcome.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Activities:
  • Proposals must only contain actions that are eligible for funding under Ireland’s National Programme AMIF. All actions should address one or more of the National Objectives set out at Section 1.5 of this document. The National Programme includes examples of the types of actions that may be funded. Actions not specified in the National Programme may still be eligible for funding provided they address one or more National Objective(s).
  • Actions should be specific and, where relevant, should be complementary to actions financed under other European Union Funds. All activities must be non-profit in nature.
• Eligible Applicants:
  • Public, Private and Voluntary Bodies are eligible to apply.
  • Applicants must be legally constituted at the point of signing a Grant Agreement and must be able to enter into a legally binding Grant Agreement, should their application be approved.
  • If more than one organisation is applying for funds, one organisation must be nominated as the Lead Applicant. If successful, the Lead Applicant will sign the Grant Agreement and will carry the liability for ensuring its terms and conditions are met both by them and by all delivery partners.
  • It is acceptable for an organisation to make more than one application under this Call. However, in these circumstances, the projects proposed must be clearly separate and distinct.
• Eligible Expenditure:
  • Applicants must set out a detailed budget showing Direct Salary Costs, Direct Project Costs and Indirect Project Costs (e.g., shared administration and overhead costs).
  • Proof of direct expenditure incurred and paid will be required. Project staff costs must be supported by employment contracts and payroll documents, which have an explicit link to the project.
  • Where staff work part-time on the project and part-time on other activities, it is essential that detailed time-sheets are kept to enable the eligibility of staff costs to be determined.
  • Applicants must justify the salary levels proposed for project staff by reference to existing salary levels for similar positions in the labour market, and with due regard to the requirement for all activities funded to represent value-for-money.
• Eligible Costs
  • The main criteria for eligibility of costs are as follows:
    • The expenditure must have been incurred by a beneficiary during the term of the contract.
    • The expenditure must have been for operations set out in the Grant Agreement.
    • All expenditure must be provided for in the Grant Agreement and/or the agreed project budget.
    • All expenditure must be necessary for implementation of the project activities covered by the Grant Agreement.
    • All expenditure must be reasonable and justified and in line with the principles of sound financial management, in particular in terms of value for money and cost effectiveness.
    • Indirect costs are restricted to a maximum of 15% of eligible direct staff costs (i.e., the sum of Direct Salary Costs and Direct Staff Costs).
    • All EU publicity and information requirements must be adhered to.
    • All EU and National Procurement Rules must be adhered to.
    • Special conditions exist for purchasing equipment in excess of €1,000.
    • Staff costs must be supported by contracts of employment, payroll records and detailed time sheets completed according to a prescribed template.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit http://eufunding.justice.ie/en/eufunding/pages/2019-amif-open-call-amif