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European Refugee Fund

This page explains what the European Refugee Fund Phase III (ERF III) is and how you can apply for funding in the future. The ERF III was established on 1 January 2008 and aims to support the efforts of European Union Member States in:

  • the reception of asylum seekers and the way in which asylum claims are processed
  • the integration of refugees and people with other forms of subsidiary protection, for example, Humanitarian Protection (HP) and Discretionary Leave (DL)
  • the development, monitoring and evaluation of asylum policies within the Member State
  • the resettlement of those in need of protection identified through resettlement programmes in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  • the transfer of asylum seekers between Member States under the Dublin II regulations.

It will run until 31 December 2013 and is planned over two separate three-year funding periods. The Fund prioritises:

  • the implementation of the principles and measures set out in the European Union's Community acquis in the field of asylum, including those related to integration objectives
  • the development of reference tools and evaluation methods to assess and improve the quality of procedures to examine claims for international protection and to strengthen administrative structures in order to practically cooperate with other Member States
  • actions helping to enhance responsibility sharing between Member States and other countries outside Europe.

The ERF III is one of three European Union migration funds (known collectively as the 'solidarity and management of migration flows') that the United Kingdom takes part in. The others are the Return Fund and the European Integration Fund.

The United Kingdom receives an annual allocation from the ERF III, which it then administers according to the strict rules set by the European Commission. For more information about how the United Kingdom will spend and administer its allocation from the ERF over the first three year period of the Fund, please see a summary of the UK Multi-Annual Programme. Please note that all figures contained in the Mulit-Annual Programme are estimated and are subject to change. The division of funding to the ERF priorities may also change depending on the changing situation at United Kingdom and European Union level.

For more information about how the United Kingdom spend and administered its 2008 allocation from the ERF, please see a summary of the United Kingdom's Annual Programme, 2008.

See the list of United Kingdom projects selected for co-funding by the European Refugee Fund Phase III in 2008. Details of projects funded under subsequent years of ERF III will be published on this website when available.

Organisations wishing to bid for ERF III funding can do so through advertised calls for proposals. The available funding for 2008 and 2009 has already been used, however, any future calls for proposals in respect of the remaining funding period will be published on this website in due course.