The European Commission launched on January 26th a Call for proposals to award grants to actions in support of the policy on integration of third-country nationals. Interested parties may present their proposals until March 3rd 2010.

The European Commission is providing through the Community Actions of the European Fund for Integration for third-country nationals financial support for actions promoting the integration in the EU Member States of people who are not citizens of the EU.

Under this general purpose, the European Commission has published JLS/2009/EIFX/CA Call for proposals granting more than 4.5 million Euro for actions in support of the integration of third-country nationals. The call for proposals will be open to national, regional and local authorities, Non Governmental Organisations, public or private bodies (including university departments, research centres) registered in any of the 26 Member States participating in the European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals (EU Member States except Denmark), as well as international organisations.

Actions may include partners and participants from Denmark and third countries, but the costs for their participation may not be covered by the Union contribution and must be financed entirely by non-Union resources.

The call for proposals is open to organisations working on a non profit basis and with proven experience and expertise in the fields covered, taking into account their respective competences.

The following three priorities and their relative specific objectives will be pursued in 2009 JLS/2009/EIFX/CA Call for proposals:

• Priority 1: Gather public and migrant perceptions and develop a more comprehensive understanding of the integration processes
• Priority 2: Promote integration measures targeting young population and addressing specific gender issues
• Priority 3: Promote the role of civil society organisations and the local authorities in shaping integration strategies

Interested applicants may submit their proposals by March 3rd 2010. Applicants will have to submit their applications via Priamos, a system for the submission of the applications, which requires applicants to fill in an on-line Grant Application form and to attach to it all required annexes.

Further informations as well as some relevant documents regarding JLS/2009/EIFX/CA can also be found at the European Fund for the Integration of Third-country nationals page in the Freedom, Security and Justice website.