Rationale and design of the programme
The Integrated Border Management Fund (IBMF) creates EU added value by addressing challenges in the areas of the management of the external borders and common visa policy that cannot be adequately addressed by the Member States acting on their own.
The abolition of internal border controls brings significant benefits to EU citizens and businesses. However, the integrity, safety and security of the EU's internal borderless area and of its customs union requires the effective management and protection of the EU's external borders, especially in times of challenges posed by migratory pressures and threats of serious cross-border crime.
This calls for action at the EU level, in the form of common measures for the effective control, including surveillance, of the EU's external borders.
The IBMF will address these challenges through two instruments for financial support: the Customs Control Equipment Instrument (CCEI) and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI).
In particular, the CCEI's mission is to support the customs union and customs authorities to protect the financial and economic interests of the EU and its Member States, to ensure security and safety within the EU and to protect the EU from illegal trade while facilitating legitimate business activity.
The BMVI's mission is to provide financial support to Member States and to ensure strong and effective European integrated border management at the EU's external borders, thereby contributing to a high level of internal security within the EU, all while safeguarding the free movement of people within it.
The BMVI has the following two specific objectives.
- To support effective European integrated border management at the external borders, implemented by the European Border and Coast Guard as a shared responsibility of the related agency and the national authorities responsible for border management; to facilitate legitimate border crossings; to prevent and detect illegal immigration and cross-border crime; and to effectively manage migratory flows.
- To support the common visa policy in order to ensure a harmonised approach with regard to the issuance of visas and to facilitate legitimate travel, while helping to prevent migratory and security risks; and to strengthen and develop all aspects of the common European asylum system, including its external dimension.
The specific objective of the CCEI is to contribute to adequate and equivalent results of customs controls through the transparent purchase, maintenance and upgrade of relevant and reliable state-of-the-art customs control equipment that is secure, safe and environment-friendly, thereby helping the customs authorities act as one to protect the interests of the EU.
The BMVI supports a broad range of actions to improve border controls (checks and surveillance), in line with the European agenda on migration and in compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, enhancing cooperation at the EU level for tasks carried out at borders. It funds efficient, client-friendly services to visa applicants while maintaining the security and integrity of visa procedures. It invests in common, large‑scale information technology systems in the area of border management and visa policy, including in their interoperability. It furthermore invests in infrastructure and equipment, systems and services, training, the exchange of experts, the deployment of immigration liaison officers, innovative solutions and new technologies and studies. It also provides operating support for the implementation of European integrated border management and of the common visa policy.
The CCEI supports the purchasing, maintenance and upgrading of customs control equipment for non-intrusive inspection, identification of hidden objects on humans, radiation detection, nuclide identification, analysis of samples in laboratories, sampling and field analysis of samples, along with handheld search tools and other types of innovative non-intrusive detection technology equipment.
The legal basis of the BMVI is Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2001 establishing, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy. The BMVI is partially covered partially by the common provisions regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/1060) for shared management.
The BMVI, for which the lead directorate-general is DG Migration and Home Affairs, is an essential instrument for achieving the EU’s objective of constituting an area of freedom, security and justice under Article 67(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which is an area of shared competence between the EU and the Member States, as stated in Article 4 of that treaty.
The BMVI finances a wide range of measures by Member States, acting in cooperation with other EU bodies, offices and agencies and, where appropriate, non-EU countries and international organisations, to help provide uniform and high-quality external border control so as to facilitate legitimate border crossings. The BMVI contributes to improving the efficiency of visa processing in terms of facilitating visa procedures for bona fide travellers and in terms of detecting and assessing security risks, in particular migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, and irregular migration risks, in line with Article 77(2) and 79(2)(d) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It also provides extensive coverage of consular services across the world.
The BMVI is implemented under shared, direct and indirect management. The largest share of the resources (57.5%, i.e. EUR 3.668 billion) is allocated to the Member States’ programmes under shared management. The remaining share (42.5% i.e. EUR 1.573 billion) is allocated to the Thematic Facility, a financial tool managed by the Commission. Funding allocated to the Thematic Facility can be used for specific actions (shared management) implemented by the Member States nationally or transnationally, Union actions (direct/indirect management) and emergency assistance (direct, indirect or shared management). The Thematic Facility offers flexibility in the management of the BMVI in addressing priorities with a high level of EU added value or responding to urgent needs.
The legal basis of the CCEI is Regulation (EU) 2021/1077 of 24 June 2021 establishing, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, the Customs Control Equipment Instrument.
Close cooperation and coordination are ensured between the two directorates-general managing the IBMF’s instruments, DG Taxation and Customs Union and DG Migration and Home Affairs, including by regular interservice meetings between the two, to provide for consistency in implementation. In relation to the external dimension, DG Migration and Home Affairs coordinates closely with DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations and DG International Partnerships.
While the CCEI is delivered under direct management, the Member States support the Commission in developing policy aspects relating to the implementation of the CCEI. Member States participate in the CCEI Coordination Group, which functions as a consultative body and advises the Commission on the implementation of EU legislation, programmes and policies.
Finally, the CCEI maintains close links with the customs programme (led by DG Taxation and Customs Union) and programmes from other directorates-general – such as the Union anti-fraud programme, the Horizon Europe programme and the Recovery & Resilience Facility – to ensure that double funding is avoided between the programmes and also, importantly, to encourage and identify synergies and complementarities.
The BMVI builds on the Internal Security Fund (ISF), the instrument for financial support for external borders and visas implemented under the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework. It strengthens its external dimension to cover cooperation with non-EU countries and adds flexibility through a balanced mix of implementation modes.
The midterm evaluation of the BMVI programme started in March 2024, and is to be finalised by the end of 2024. It will build upon the early findings of the ex post evaluation of the 2014-2020 programme, to be finalised in the first semester of 2025.
The CCEI is an instrument created under the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, therefore there is no existing link with the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework.
Programme website:
Impact assessment:
- The impact assessment of the IBMF was carried out in 2018 – for further information please consult: https://europa.eu/!xU94BD
Relevant regulation:
Budget
Budget programming (million EUR):
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Financial programming:
+ EUR 1 314.8 million (+ 21%)
compared to the legal basis*
* Top-ups pursuant to Article 5 of the multiannual financial framework regulation are excluded from financial programming in this comparison.
- The initial financial programming for the BMVI as per the legal basis was EUR 5 241 million and is now reaching EUR 7 125 million (1). This amount was affected by further modifications. On one hand, it was reinforced by almost EUR 620.8 million from the structural funds in the context of the Greek Partnership Agreement, EUR 1.1 million from AMIF for Estonia, EUR 87.5 million was added in the context of different draft budget procedures 2021-2024, the Fund also absorbed EUR 49.6 million of unused appropriations from the agencies. In 2024, the fund was reinforced by EUR 1 billion coming from the midterm revision of the multiannual financial framework. Finally, between 2021 and 2024 the fund was reinforced by EUR 453 million stemming from income from fines (2) and another EUR 181 million is to reinforce the 2025 budget. On the other hand, the BMVI was reduced by EUR 509 million to finance various legislative initiatives concerning DG Migration and Home Affairs agencies, of which 37% was used for the revision of Europol’s mandate .
- Regarding the CCEI, the budget for the whole multiannual financial framework period is EUR 1 006 407 000 and no modification to its budget have been incorporated since its creation
(1) Excluding expected income from fines in 2026 and 2027.
(2) Income from fines under Article 5 of the multiannual financial framework regulation for the BMVI.
Budget performance – implementation
Cumulative implementation rate at the end of 2023 (million EUR):
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Voted budget implementation (million EUR)(1):
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- For the Member States’ programmes, due to the delays in the adoption of the legal basis for 2021-2027 and the time needed for the programming procedure, shared management programmes were formally approved only in the last quarter of 2022. The EU actions have become part of the Thematic Facility covered by the multiannual work programmes for 2021-2022 and 2023-2025. The programmed initiatives will be implemented throughout the period, with calls for proposals being published regularly to support transnational actions in border management and controls.
- To support the measures launched in 2021 against the instrumentalisation of migrants by Belarus, a specific action under the BMVI was implemented to support Latvia, Lithuania and Poland in protecting their borders with Belarus.
- Further implementing and delegated acts necessary for the development and operation of the renewed Schengen information system and visa information system, along with the entry/exit system and the European travel information and authorisation system, and interoperability between large-scale EU information systems, were adopted in 2022. The BMVI helps Member States prepare to implement the renewed and new systems at the national level. The systems will allow them to carry out operational activities relating to managing the EU’s external borders, such as performing checks and surveillance at the external border and producing analyses of the risks to internal security and analyses of the threats that may affect the functioning or security of the external borders.
- The implementation of voted budget commitment appropriations concerned the initial allocations under the Member States’ programmes, the first Thematic Facility work programme 2021-2022 and the support expenditure of the fund.
- The voted budget for the BMVI amounted to EUR 398 million in 2021 in terms of commitment appropriations, of which EUR 152.9 million was implemented in 2021. The difference between the EUR 398 million of initial commitment appropriations and the EUR 152.9 million implemented is mainly the result of the adjustment of the multiannual financial framework (i.e. the reprogramming of 2021 shared management appropriations due to the delay in the adoption of Member States’ programmes: EUR 278.5 million was spread equally over the 2022-2025 period). In addition, the fund was reinforced in 2021 with EUR 34.1 million in commitment appropriations through a budgetary authority transfer in the context of the Belarus crisis.
- The voted budget for the BMVI amounted to EUR 671.1 million in 2022 in terms of commitment appropriations, of which EUR 853.1 million was implemented in 2022. The difference between the EUR 671.1 million of initial commitment appropriations and the EUR 853.1 million implemented is primarily the result of the adjustment of the multiannual financial framework for (EUR 69.6 million stemming from 2021 reprogramming, EUR 104.8 million in commitment appropriations from the Structural Funds in the context of the partnership agreement for Greece, internal transfers of EUR 16.8 million in commitment appropriations to reinforce the Thematic Facility). In addition, the fund was reinforced in 2022 with EUR 148 million in payment appropriations via an amending budget and budget authority transfer in the context of the migration crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine. Finally, EUR 7.9 million was the object of a carry-over decision for a programme not adopted by 2022.
- The voted budget for the BMVI amounted to EUR 1064.3 million in 2023 in terms of commitment appropriations, of which 100% was implemented in 2023.
- As for the implementation of the voted budget payment appropriations in 2023, they were used mainly for pre-financing payments and interim payments under the Member States’ programmes and to a smaller extent for EU actions.
- The envisaged use of voted budget for 2024 appropriations will cover initial allocations to Member States (EUR 745.0 million), Thematic Facility amounts for specific actions, EU actions, EMAS (EUR 366.3 million), and expenditure for technical assistance (EUR 2.8 million).
- For the CCEI, there were no commitments or payments granted in 2021, therefore the full budgetary envelope for the first, 2021-2022, programming period (EUR 273 514 000) was committed in 2022.
- In terms of payments made, EUR 136 756 632 was transferred to Member States by the end of 2022 through pre-financed grants. In total, 42 grant agreements were signed by the end of 2022, triggering the allocation of funds to co-finance the purchasing, upgrading and maintenance of more than 1 300 pieces of customs control equipment at over 200 border crossing points and more than 500 pieces of equipment in over 30 customs laboratories.
- In 2023, EUR 140 872 000 was committed, and EUR 78 817 paid to Member States as a result of the completion of their projects signed under the first work programme.
- Financial implementation in 2023 responded to the conclusions of the European Council of 9 February 2023, which called on the Commission to fund measures that directly contribute to the control of the EU external borders as well as identified areas for immediate action. The response was evident in the programming of the Thematic Facility, with several specific actions launched to strengthen the Member States’ border management capacity and capabilities.
- EUR 24 million was allocated on the Special Transit Scheme of Lithuania to support improved infrastructure, inspection processes and technical means that aim to minimise the threats of illegal EU entry from Kaliningrad and Belarus.
- EUR 55.8 million was allocated to reinforce the border control capabilities of Bulgaria and Romania particularly affected by migratory pressure on the EU’s external borders via the Western Balkan route.
- EUR 141.2 million was allocated to enhance the electronic surveillance systems at external land borders. It will support the installation of optical fibre and software to improve the exchange and processing of data between border posts and command centres in Bulgaria, 24
- The Member States’ BMVI programmes were or are in the process of being amended to earmark the additional EU funding received under those specific actions.
- Another BMVI specific action, with a budget of EUR 10 million was launched in 2023 to provide support to Member States and Schengen-associated countries in the establishment of their national strategies for the implementation of European integrated border management, specifically with a view to set up or enhance the coordination between all national authorities with competences in European integrated border management, such as police, customs control and sanitary control authorities, etc. The evaluation of the project proposals submitted under this specific action is ongoing.
- The transmission of financial information from the Member State programmes further confirms the focus on the strengthening of the control to the EU external borders, with the cost of operations selected for support related to border surveillance exceeding EUR 833 million by the end of 2023, at 38% of the total indicative allocation for this type of intervention.
- In 2024, a further EUR 5 461 043 will be required to cover payment appropriations resulting from grant agreements signed under the first work programme (2021-2022) for that year. The implementation of the projects signed under the first, 2021-2022, programming period will run up to 2026.
- For the budgetary envelope for the second, 2023-2024, programming period (EUR 283 963 000), in similar fashion as for the first working period, no payments from this budget were executed in 2023. As all new grant agreements are planned to be signed by mid 2024, the first payment appropriations are expected for 2024.
- For the CCEI, the objectives of the second programming period will focus on the fight against drugs in line with the Communication on theEU Roadmap to fight Drug Trafficking and Organised Crime (1) on 18 October 2023, which reconfirmed the key role of advanced customs control equipment to support customs authorities in the fight against drugs and drug precursors. Among the actions announced, the roadmap aims to mobilise EU customs in ports and customs laboratories against drug trafficking as well as strengthen related risk management and controls. The new invitation to submit proposals addressed to Member States at the end of 2023, as part of the second work programme, reflected this new Commission priority.
- In 2024, the estimated commitment appropriations amount to EUR 143 691 000 with payment appropriations estimated to EUR 141 981 500 to cover the needs for payments of projects under the 2023-2024 work programme.
- In 2025, the commitment appropriations amount to EUR 146 564 000 while the payment appropriations are expected to be EUR 55 830 145 (99% of which for projects signed under the first programming period)
(1) More information on the Commission communication is available at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_4981.
Contribution to horizontal priorities
Green budgeting
Contribution to green budgeting priorities (million EUR):
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- In line with the EU’s commitments to work towards achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), the BMVI and CCEI regulations commit, without having a fund-specific target, to contributing to achieving the EU’s goal of spending at least 30% of its total budget on supporting climate objectives and its ambition to spend 7.5% of the annual EU budget on biodiversity in 2024 and 10% in both 2026 and 2027, while considering the existing overlaps between climate and biodiversity goals.
- This could happen, for example, by focusing on green procurement regarding (small-scale) assets and infrastructure / information technology systems, subject to specific provisions ensuring that products/services are chosen that reduce climate impacts by applying the best available technologies, using renewable energy in buildings, enhancing insulation, etc. For the time being no strict conditions on national programming or project selection, but Member States are encouraged to prioritise environment-friendly actions.
Gender
Contribution to gender equality (million EUR) (*):
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| Gender disaggregated information: |
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- The IBMF/BMVI is committed to the horizontal approach of the EU budget, in which equality between women and men, rights and equal opportunities for all and the mainstreaming of these objectives should be considered and promoted throughout the preparation, implementation and monitoring of relevant programmes.
- In the broader context, to receive payments from the Commission, the Member States’ programmes for the funds co-managed by DG Migration and Home Affairs will have to comply with the number of horizontal enabling conditions, one of which concerns the effective application and implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, including the equality of women and men. The horizontal enabling conditions must be fulfilled throughout the entire programming period, and Member States must report on their application to the programme monitoring committee and the Commission.
- As regards the types of action supported by the BMVI, training and knowledge sharing habitually tackle gender-specific issues, which is why they are financial interventions that may have the potential to impact gender equality, among other areas. Therefore, the amount under the gender score (0*) is an estimate based on the shares of interventions relating to training and knowledge sharing.
In the context of the midterm evaluations, which are currently being carried out and are expected to be finalised by the end of 2024, the potential to affect the gender equality of specific types of intervention will be examined in greater detail
Digital
Contribution to digital transition (million EUR):
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It is considered that activities under the specific objectives of the IBMF/BMVI mentioned below may partially contribute to the goal of digital transition:
- supporting effective European integrated border management at the external borders;
- supporting the common visa policy.
The amount contributing to the goals of the digital transition covers activities and interventions relating to the digitalisation of administration (government information and communications technology solutions, e-services, etc.) under shared management.
The CCEI does not have activities that contribute to the goals of digital transition.
Budget performance – outcomes
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Link to file with complete set of EU core performance indicators
- For the BMVI, the approval of the Member State programmes for 2021-2027, which represent the bulk of the resources of the instrument, took place in the last quarter of 2022, in line with the timing of most programmes covered by the common provisions regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/1060).
- By the end of 2023, with just one full year of implementation of the Member State programmes, it was not yet possible to identify any particular trends in the progress towards the targets (5) of the key performance indicators listed above. However, as outlined in the budget implementation section, progress was visible in 2023 from a financial perspective.
- Operations were selected by the managing authorities across both specific objectives, for a total cost that amounted to 31% of the Member States programmes’ allocations.
- Overall, in 2023, Member States focused on launching calls for proposals, selecting operations and carrying out the preparatory work for specific actions. Reporting on outputs, and especially result indicators (6), is expected to gain momentum at a slightly later stage, once the number of operations reaches cruising speed.
- Under the first specific objective, on European integrated border management, the first achievements recorded relate to units of equipment purchased for border crossing points or border surveillance purposes, together with the development of information technology functionalities and large-scale IT systems. The first outputs have also been registered in connection to the purchase or lease of heavy and light equipment, such as means maritime and land transport for border control tasks. The results, in terms of equipment registered in the technical equipment pool of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency or put at the agency’s disposal, have yet to materialise.
- Under specific objective two, on the common visa policy, the main achievements recorded relate to projects on the digitalisation of visa processing and on the development or upgrading of large-scale IT systems. Also, under this specific objective, the number of visa applications using digital means is showing progress, though the results have yet to materialise.
- As of 2023 there was no clear indication of issues with the implementation of the programmes that suggest the targets will not be met, except for external factors such as the general increase in prices and issues with the supply chain due to the deterioration in the geopolitical context or difficulties with the initial target setting. These elements may result, as part of the midterm allocation process, in duly justified changes to the targets being established by the Member States.
- Importantly, the adoption of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum and the related midterm review of the multiannual financial framework are expected to be accompanied by a change in the targets for operations benefiting from the additional allocations. The strengthening of the legal framework is also a factor that could favourably affect the performance – and more broadly the effectiveness – of the support provided under the BMVI. The ultimate impact on the targets and the progress of the Member States programmes towards them will become clearer after the adoption of the Commission’s and the Member States’ implementation plans, and will be monitored as part of the amendments to the programmes.
- The general increase in prices will also affect support provided under the BMVI via direct management, due to the use of fixed unit rates for certain types of costs. Despite a partial revision of the underlying legal framework, these rates remain unfavourable, and they may result in insufficient coverage of the real expenditure by the organisations involved in implementing the actions. This, in turn, may lead to reduced participation in future calls for proposals, along with project activities that need to be removed from the scope of existing support as they have become financially non-viable.
- As regards direct management, in view of their specific nature and legislative objectives, the performance of transnational EU actions cannot be captured by the key performance indicators. Nonetheless, they complement the implementation of policy objectives at the national level through Member States’ programmes by developing policy analysis and innovation, transnational mutual learning and partnerships, and by testing new initiatives and actions across the EU. With these actions, the Commission supports valuable projects on innovations in border management. Their results are expected to be communicated to the Commission in 2025.
- For the CCEI, with regard to the main performance indicator of the instrument – the availability of customs controls equipment and its adherence to the common list of equipment (6) that should be available for each type of border crossing point / customs laboratory – there is currently an overall adherence level of 9.74% for all border crossing points, with a further breakdown for border crossing points as follows: air: 13% (+ 18%); land: 7% (+ 3%); mobile: 36% (7)(+ 52%); post: 14% (+ 34%); rail: 9% (+ 12%); sea: 10% (– 12%) (8). These data clearly show that there are still critical equipment needs across all borders, in which the CCEI will continue to play an essential role.
(5) As is standard practice for shared management programmes, and in line with the legal framework, the milestones and targets have been established by the Member States based on their strategy and needs assessments and in line with the available resources indicatively planned in the programmes across predefined types of interventions. The Member States are indeed best placed to tailor the design of the programmes to their national context and needs. The methodology for target setting was shared with the Commission, which also provided methodological advice to the Member States. The milestones, targets and related methodology can be adjusted during the programming period in duly justified cases, such as a revision of the programme's strategy, relevant external contextual factors and changes in the distribution or volume of the available resources, and following a review by the Commission. An overall assessment of the relevance of the strategy and its targets compared to the evolving needs at both the Member State and the EU level will be part of the midterm evaluation of the programme.
(6) The performance assessment section is based on the latest available data for the key performance indicators. For those indicators that are based on the data transmitted by the Member States in the Annual Implementation Reports, the cut off date is 2022. This is clarified in the meta data annexed to the Programme Performance Statements, and due to the fact that information on the achievements in 2023 will only be included in the Final Implementation Reports, due by the end of 2024.
(7) The common list of equipment was adopted at the meeting of the CCEI Coordination Expert Group on 1 September 2021. In addition to the categories envisaged by the CCEI regulation, the mobile border crossing point category was added due to its strategic role in increasing the efficiency of customs controls by providing greater flexibility and unpredictability in the performance of the controls.
(8) For 2023, three new countries are accounted for in the data (Denmark, Greece and Malta), which has an impact on the numbers, in particular with a lower adherence level at sea border crossing points.
MFF 2014-2020 – Internal Security Fund – Borders and Visa
The BMVI builds on the investment and achievements made with the support of its predecessors: the External Borders Fund and the ISF – Borders and Visa. The fund has supported overall EU policies in the area of external border management and visas.
Budget
Cumulative implementation rate at the end of 2023 (million EUR):
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- The start of the Russian war in Ukraine on 24 February in 2022 was a stark reminder of the importance of properly functioning integrated border management. The Commission proposed an initiative to facilitate access to unspent funds under the Home Affairs Funds for the 2014-2020 programmes, including ISF – Borders and Visa, given the acute migration and border management needs arising from the invasion of Ukraine. The intention was to provide immediate support to the Member States, as they could swiftly re-direct the funding under their existing programmes to address the migration needs caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Commission’s proposals were adopted in April 2022.
- After an initial delay in the adoption of the legal bases of the Home Affairs funds by the co-legislators, all ISF Member State national programmes were adopted in 2015, with their implementation reaching cruising speed in 2017. Since then, the ISF national programmes were revised on several occasions to provide financing for the purchase of equipment, address an equal allocation to all Member States participating in ISF
- Borders and Visa, and to cover costs relating to the adoption of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System and the recast of the second-generation Schengen information system regulations. Finally, the programmes were modified in 2020 concerning seven Member States to support border control activities, in the Member States facing high migratory pressure at the external borders, but no revisions were made anymore post-2020.
- As regards the ISF – Borders and Visa, for the 2014-2020 period, EUR 2.42 billion were allocated to the national programmes of the Member States. Up to 2023, Member States spent EUR 2.04 billion, equivalent to an absorption rate of 84.2%. It is expected that the increasing trend in payments at Member State level will continue towards the end and closure of the programming period. By 31 December 2024, the Member States are expected to submit their final accounts for period ended 30 June 2024.
- As regards direct management, in 2023, most projects selected under the 2016 and 2017 annual work programme were closed, all projects selected under the 2018 work programme were closed while those from 2020 have reached cruising speed. The projects' implementation is continuously monitored to ensure they continue brining value, and their performance is line with the objectives of the Fund.
- An ex post evaluation of the 2014-2020 ISF-Visa and Borders is being carried out and is expected to be finalised by mid 2025.
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Link to file with complete set of EU core performance indicators
- In 2023, the Commission continued to address the root causes of irregular migration and strengthen the protection of the EU’s external borders. The total number of detected irregular border crossings continued the upward trend, reaching almost 380 000, compared to 200 000 in 2021 and 125 000 in 2020. The Mediterranean and western African routes have seen the strongest increases (9),highlight the increasing level of pressure on EU’s external borders.
- ISF – Borders and Visa is making a crucial contribution to the application of the Schengen acquis, with the investment in the effective control of the external border through the information systems at EU level and their interoperability, providing and sharing relevant information. The Fund has also contributed to the reinforcement of the capacities of Member States’ border management authorities. Special attention is still needed in the use of funds in the information systems area, to ensure that all available funding is absorbed, while taking into account the flexibility of the Commission’s proposal (adopted in April 2022) to prolong the implementation period for the funds still available to Member States under the 2014-2020 Home Affairs funds by one year due to the Russian war of aggression to Ukraine.
- In terms of overall performance of the Fund, many of the indicators set in the regulation have achieved their targets or are on track to do so by the end of the programming period(10). The main difficulties reported over the last three reporting years relate to the possibility to carry out training activities and missions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of inflation especially with respect to the cost of travels, equipment and construction works, as well as the timing for the adoption of EU-level legal acts on large-scale IT systems. Such issues have been remedied in many cases by making use of the flexibility offered by the revision of the legal base to use unspent resources and extend the project duration, by exploiting the possibility to organise remote training and exchanges etc. However, in some cases projects had to be cancelled and re-programmed for the subsequent programming period. Whilst the easing of COVID-19 related restrictions implies that there is a positive trend in 2022, the effects of the pandemic remain visible on some aggregated cumulative figures. The Commission is also fully and actively engaged in supporting the agreement and finalisation of the the large-scale IT systems.
- On supporting a common visa policy, the trend shows that the cumulative values reported have been steadily increasing to achieve and in some cases overcome the targets, such as in the case of Consulates developed or upgraded. However, figures remain below the targets when it comes to training of staff in the area of visa and border management. Up to 2022, 7 051 people were trained in this area, which is approximately 62% of the target of 11 365. Training activities were among those most negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a decrease of people trained to 816 in 2020 compared to 1 196 in 2019 and only a marginal improvement to 908 in 2021. Whilst implementation picked up to 1530 in 2022, there could be a lasting effect on the cumulative figures. In any event, the low aggregated target achievement often hides important differences at the Member State level and is partly explained by a few Member States having set overly optimistic targets.
- On strengthening the EU external borders, progress is also positive but there is some variation across Member States and indicators. In this area, 41 355 border guards were trained by the end of 2022, achieving the target of 34 603. In total up to 2021, the instruments also supported the development or upgrade of 47 812 border control (checks and surveillance actions) infrastructure and means, which is well above the target of 19 902. However, the target for the number of crossings via the automatic border control gates supported by the fund remains unmet due to delays or changes in the needs in a few Member States.
- The main lessons learned during the 2014-2020 programming period are shown below.
- There was insufficient cooperation, coordination, and strategic steering in the implementation of the ISF with the other EU-level initiatives.
- There is a need for better exploitation of innovation opportunities from EU civil security research.
- There is a need to strengthen performance monitoring in terms of quality, reliability and frequency of the data and to set out common output and result indicators. This is being specifically addressed for the 2021-2027 programming by the new requirements contained in the legal basis and via the joint work of the Commission and national managing authorities on data quality.
(10) Increases in migrants apprehended are also due to the improved operational capacity of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency services and increases in the push-pull factors at the global level, including the progressive uplifting of restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sustainable development goals
Contribution to the sustainable development goals
| SDG | Example |
|---|---|
| SDG10 Reduce inequalities within and among countries | MigraSafe – Africa (15.1.2022-14.5.2024) The general objective of the action is to support safe, orderly and regular migration through the promotion of legal pathways to the EU. In particular, through the promotion of and information on legal pathways both to the institutional stakeholders (Embassies, Consulates and local authorities), responsible for the formal sources of information on legal pathways, but also to the civil-society organisations (non-governmental organisations etc.) acting as informal sources of information to potential migrants, especially in remote areas, far from the capital cities (and thus, from Embassies, consulates and local authorities). The project will be implemented in eight African countries: Morocco, Senegal, Cape Verde, Tunisia, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and Ethiopia. |