External Borders Fund - National actions

General implementation mechanisms of the EBF

All EU countries (except for the UK and Ireland), as well as the non-EU countries associated with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein), participate in the EBF.

The EBF is mainly implemented by each country through shared management. Each country implements the Fund through national annual programmes on the basis of multiannual programming. These programmes are prepared, implemented, monitored and evaluated in partnership with other designated authorities and bodies. These programmes are drawn up on the basis of strategic guidelines defined at EU level. Up to 50 % of the cost of the actions can be co-financed by the Funds. Under specific conditions (for Cohesion Fund countries and actions falling within specific priorities), the EU co-financing can reach 75 %. In each beneficiary State, the national authority responsible for the management of the Funds provides information on programme implementation, on the National Programmes and on the beneficiaries of the Fund.

Distribution of resources

Each year the resources under the Fund are distributed to the EU countries in accordance with the criteria laid down in the basic act. The Commission has issued a report on the calculations made for the budget years 2007-2011: Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the application of the criteria for the distribution of resources among the EU countries under the External Borders Fund, the European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals and the European Return Fund.

Ex-post evaluation report (2007-2010)

The Commission has approved a report on the ex-post evaluation of the External Borders Fund for the period 2007-2010. The report, which is requested by the Fund's legal basis, has been transmitted to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. The Commission report is complemented by the national ex-post evaluation reports submitted by all the countries participating in the implementation of the Fund and a study.

Mid-Term implementation evaluation (2007-2009)

The Commission has approved a report on the results achieved and on qualitative and quantitative aspects of implementation of the External Borders Fund 2007-2009.

The report, which is requested by the Fund's legal basis, has been transmitted to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

The Commission report is complemented by the national evaluation reports submitted by all EU countries participating in the implementation of the Fund and with two studies.

National evaluation reports: