European Return Fund
This page explains what the European Return Fund (RF) is and how you can apply for funding. The RF was established on 1 January 2008 and aims to support the efforts of European Union Member States to return migrants from outside Europe to their countries of origin. It will run until 31 December 2013 and is planned over two separate three-year funding periods. The Fund prioritises voluntary return and joint return actions by Member States, and aims particularly to support fair and effective implementation of common standards on return.
The RF 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 European Refugee Fund and the European Integration Fund.
The United Kingdom receives an annual allocation from the RF, 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 RF over the first three year period, 2008-2010, please see a summary of the UK Multi-Annual Programme. Please note that all figures contained in the Multi-Annual Programme are estimated and are subject to change. The division of the funding to the Return Fund priorities may also change depending on the changing situation at United Kingdom and EU level.
For more information about how the United Kingdom spent and administered its 2008 allocation from the RF, please see a summary of the UK's Annual Programme, 2008.
See the list of United Kingdom projects selected for co-funding by the European Return Fund in 2008.
Organisations wishing to bid for RF funding can do so through the annual call for proposals. The 2009 call for proposals has now closed. The 2010 call for proposals will be published on this website in Autumn 2009.
Individuals wishing to return to their country of origin are not able to apply directly to the RF for funding. Instead, please see Voluntary return in the Asylum section.