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Calls for proposals - European Refugee Fund and European Integration Fund


11 February 2011

Calls for proposals for the European Refugee Fund (ERF) 2010 and European Integration Fund (EIF) 2010 are now open. We are also inviting proposals for the ERF 2011, which relates to resettlement under the Gateway Protection Programme.

European Refugee Fund

Approximately £1.8 million is available for new ERF projects in 2010 in the following areas:

  • Innovative refugee specific entry level English language provision
  • Innovative solutions to housing for newly granted refugees

The minimum amount that can be applied for is £75,000 per year per project, and the maximum is £350,000 per year per project.

You can find more information in the ERF 2010 call for proposals (PDF 32KB opens in a new window).

For details of the ERF 2011 call for proposals, including information for applicants, see our ERF 2011 announcement.

European Integration Fund

Approximately £5.33 million is available for new EIF projects in 2010 in the 3 areas below.

In each area, the minimum amount that can be applied for is £100,000 per year per project; there is no maximum amount.

1) £4.4m for Priority 1 projects that:

  • address capacity issues in respect of language learning;
  • develop process and programmes that help new migrants to become full and active members of UK society;
  • enable newly arrived third-country nationals to fulfil the criteria for citizenship; or
  • develop programmes that provide opportunities for third-country nationals and members of the receiving community to interact with each other.

A particular focus is the provision of these activities to domestic workers currently in the UK.

You can find more information in the EIF Priority 1 call for proposals (PDF 32KB opens in a new window).

2) £465,000 for Priority 3 projects that develop actions which enhance the knowledge and skills of national and local government officials in developing policy concerned with integration and building intercultural competence. These projects may involve, for example, written guidance and training programmes.

You can find more information in the EIF Priority 3 call for proposals (PDF 32KB opens in a new window).

3) £465,000 for Priority 4 projects that will evaluate existing initiatives which support the involvement of legal migrants in volunteering and identify what works best. The information could be used to develop good practice guidance for use by future projects in the UK, but could also be shared with other European Union member states seeking to introduce similar initiatives.

You can find more information in the EIF Priority 4 call for proposals (PDF 32KB opens in a new window).

Information for applicants

Eligible applicants for the ERF 2010 and the EIF 2010 include non-governmental organisations, charities, academic institutions, local government, inter-governmental organisations, limited companies and any partnership made up of these organisations.

Under EU funding rules, the amount applied for must be matched with funds from other non-European Union sources (either 25 per cent or 50 per cent, depending on whether specific priorities are met, as described in the application pack).

Projects can last for up to 3 years.

The deadline for completed ERF 2010 and EIF 2010 applications is 16:00 on Thursday 7 April 2011.

The application pack is available via the Home Office's Emptoris e-procurement site. To register, please email Emptoris at EUFunding@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

To assist bidders in preparing their applications, a 1-day workshop will be held in March 2011. Limited spaces will be available on a first come, first served basis. Further details will be provided after you register on Emptoris.