ICMCEUROPE WelcometoEurope.pdf (5.89 MB)

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Directive’ 2004/83/EC 29 ) or a status
which offers the same rights and benefits
under national and Community law
as refugee status.’ 30
The definition stipulates two clear conditions
which must be satisfied before
an action can be considered as ‘resettlement’
and therefore eligible for ERF
financing:
• Eligibility assessment by UNHCR -
only actions undertaken by Member
States for the resettlement of
persons who have been identified
as eligible for resettlement by
UNHCR (according to the criteria
set out in the UNHCR Resettlement
Handbook) can be financed under
the ERF.
• Status of resettled persons on arrival
- Member States must grant persons
resettled on their territory either
refugee status or an equivalent
status offering the same rights and
benefits, so as to guarantee effectiveness
and the durability of the
protection solution.
Additionally, ERF requires that refugees
must be resettled within the calendar
year of the respective annual ERF programme.
The European Commission
uses a number of different methods to
monitor fulfilment of these conditions,
29 The recast (Directive 2011/95/EC) of the qualification
directive has enhanced the rights of beneficiaries
of subsidiary protection.
30 Article 3(1)(d), ERF III Decision
including Member State reports,
requests for Member States to provide
additional information and unannounced
‘spot-checks’.
ERF funding for resettlement 31 is allocated
through three channels:
1) National programmes - the major
part of ERF resettlement funds are
allocated to national programmes
(where Member States include
refugee resettlement in national ERF
programmes). 32 An ERF contribution
in this context normally cannot
exceed 50% of the total costs of the
specific action. 33
2) Lump sum per resettled refugee -
the ERF provides Member States
with a lump sum amount of €4,000
for each resettled refugee falling
into one of the following categories:
• persons from a country or region
designated for the implementation
of a Regional Protection
Programme (RPP);
• unaccompanied minors;
• children and women at risk,
particularly from psychological,
physical or sexual violence, or
exploitation; or
31 ERF III Decision. The ERF III has supported actions
in Member States relating to the resettlement of
persons ‘resettled or being resettled’.
32 Article 3(5), ERF III Decision
33 The ERF contribution may be increased to 75% for
projects that address specific priorities identified in
the strategic guidelines adopted by the European
Commission in relation to multiannual programming.
Strategic guidelines for 2008-2013 can be found on
the ERF website. As far as resettlement is concerned,
‘actions relating to the resettlement of persons from
a country or region designated for the implementation
of a Regional Protection Programme’ is a specific
priority.
CHAPTER VI CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VII