# C_2005224EN.01001101.xml

| 13.9.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 224/11 |
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13.9.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 224/11

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Preparatory actions for return management in the area of migration

Call for proposals 2005

(2005/C 224/11)

1.   Objectives and description

The RETURN preparatory actions shall contribute to the creation of an effective Community return policy, which is a necessary complement to a credible legal immigration and asylum policy. It is as well an important component in the fight against illegal immigration. The programme shall fund projects aiming at improving the management of return of illegal migrants in all its dimensions. It shall support and further develop the cooperation and solidarity among the Member States, as well as to encourage the cooperation with the countries of return.

The projects are per definition of trans-national character and they should involve at least two organisations based in two different Member States. Projects proposed by an individual Member State may in exceptional circumstances be funded if they contain a real added value such as innovative approaches compared to the practice in the Member States and the countries of return concerned.

The projects shall pursue the following three main strands of action:

| Strand A | : | Actions relating to the introduction and improvement of the organisation and implementation of integrated return management |
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| Strand B | : | Actions relating to the introduction and improvement of specific measures in the area of return management |
| Strand C | : | Actions relating to the increase of knowledge and capabilities in the area of return management. |

Strand A

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Actions relating to the introduction and improvement of the organisation and implementation of integrated return management

Strand B

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Actions relating to the introduction and improvement of specific measures in the area of return management

Strand C

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Actions relating to the increase of knowledge and capabilities in the area of return management.

2.   Eligible applicants

The Call for proposals is addressed to the national, regional and local authorities of the Member States and to Non Governmental Organisations registered in one of the Member States, as well as International Organisations and Community Agencies, all of them working on a strictly non-profit basis and with proven expertise and experience in the fields covered. Actions may include partners and participants from countries of return on a no-cost basis from the Commission.

3.   Budget and project duration

The total budget available for 2005 is EUR 15 000 000, from which EUR 8 000 000 are foreseen for projects under Strand A, EUR 6 000 000 for projects under Strand B and EUR 1 000 000 for projects under Strand C. This distribution of the budget among the different Strands is indicative.

The amount of grant per project cannot exceed 50 % of the total eligible costs of projects implicating actions in one Member State and 70 % of the total eligible costs of projects implicating actions in more than one Member State. However, in the case of exceptionally innovative projects and subject to duly justified reasons, a project can be co-financed at a higher percentage.

Funding per project implicating actions in only one Member State will not exceed EUR 1 000 000 under Strand A and B.

Funding per project implicating actions in more than one Member State will not exceed EUR 2 500 000 under Strand A and B and EUR 250 000 under Strand C.

Funding per project shall not be less than EUR 300 000 under Strand A and B, and not be less than EUR 50 000 under Strand C.

The duration of projects for all strands shall not exceed 18 months and the activities should begin between 1 March 2006 and 31 October 2006.

4.   Deadline

Applications must be sent to the Commission no later than: 31 October 2005.

5.   Further information

The specifications and the application forms are available on the following Commission's internet site:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/funding/return/wai/funding_return_en.htm

Applications must comply with the requirements set out in the specifications and be submitted using the forms provided.

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