European Return Fund

Period: 2007-2013

Budget: EUR 676 million

No funding is foreseen for 2007 in order to take into account the results of 2005-2006 preparatory actions

As part of the Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows Framework Programme, the European Return Fund looks to improve the management of third country national's return to their home country.

The European Return Fund is divided into three objectives with different goals and actions falling under each objective.

1. Institute Integrated Return Management
In order to establish and improve each Member States' management of the integrated return process, the following actions are supported:

• Establish cooperation between Member States' authorities and the immigration services in third countries to ensure quick and efficient action

• Promote and assist in the voluntary return of third country nationals residing illegally in the EU

• Simplify enforced returns of third country nationals residing illegally in the EU

2. Cooperation in Integrated Return Management
In the hopes of improving cooperation between Member States in regards to integrated return management, the following action is needed:

• Design a process of gathering information on the country of origin

• Develop effective working relationships between Member States' authorities and third countries' relevant immigration services employees to obtain the proper travel documents

• Develop integrated return plans and voluntary return programmes

• Carry out studies to improve administrative cooperation between Member States as well as determine the role of international organisations and NGOs in facilitating the Integrated Return process

• Exchange information and best practices regarding return of vulnerable groups

• Arrange seminars for authorities

• Foster measures regarding the reception of readmitted people in their country of origin

• Encourage measures ensuring the reintegration in the country of origin

• Monitor the situation of returnees

3. Equal Standards of Return
With the goal of promoting and establishing uniform standards of return in the EU, the following actions are supported:

• Increase authorities ability to make and agree on appropriate return decisions

• Improve administrative authorities ability to enforce removal decisions

• Develop judicial bodies' ability to analyse appealed return decisions

• Arrange seminars and training courses for staff

To facilitate cooperation regarding integrated return management, that integrated return plans should:

• Be based an assessment of the situation in the Member State

• Encourage voluntary return and enforce return operations

• Specify a target group

• Utilize a planning or time table

• Concentrate on effective action, such as travel arrangement, country of origin information and transit in the country of return.

Besides encouraging cooperation between the relevant authorities in both third countries and the EU, the program is targeted at:

• Third country nationals residing illegally in the EU

• Third country nationals not under international protection

However, care must be taken when handling cases of those from identified vulnerable groups, including minors, disabled persons, elderly people, pregnant women, single parents with minor children and victims of torture or violence

Note on the Budget:
Like the other Funds under the Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows framework programme, this programme is also funded on a multiannual level, with one period running from 2007 to 2010 and the other from 2011 to 2013. The older Member States receive EUR 300.000 per annum and those states that joined on or after 1 May 2004 receive EUR 500.000 per annum. The remaining budget is divided among the Member States in accordance to the number of third country nationals currently residing illegally or who were returned to their country of origin during the previous 3 years.