The instrument shall contribute to two specific objectives by:

• supporting effective European integrated border management at the external borders, implemented by the European Border and Coast Guard as a shared responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the national authorities responsible for border management, to facilitate legitimate border crossings, to prevent and detect illegal immigration and cross-border crime and to effectively manage migratory flows;
• supporting the common visa policy to ensure a harmonised approach with regard to the issuance of visas and to facilitate legitimate travel, while helping to prevent migratory and security risks.

The policy objective of the Instrument is to ensure strong and effective European integrated border management at the external borders, thereby contributing to ensuring a high level of internal security within the Union, while safeguarding the free movement of persons within it and fully respecting the relevant Union acquis and the international obligations of the Union and the Member States arising from the international instruments to which they are party.

As regards borders, the general objective of CY as defined in the CY IBM Strategy is to ensure a high level of control and protection of external borders and facilitate smoother border crossings. Based on the strategic priorities, Schengen evaluations and Vulnerability Assessments, CY aims to achieve the following:

• Improve border control through:
  • effective communication with other MS, staff training, replacing/upgrading existing infrastructure and installing new technologies;
  • improving capabilities for prevention and early detection of migrant flows and unauthorised border crossings and illegal migration by upgrading the available specialised equipment and infrastructure and ensuring adequate technical support;
  • improving and support first reception infrastructure and capacity in line with the Union’s commitments on fundamental rights in order to effectively manage migration flows;
• Develop the national components (staff, training, equipment, IT systems) of the European Border and Coast Guard
• Effectively address recommendations from the Schengen Evaluations and Vulnerability Assessments in order to achieve compliance with the EU acquis (IBM strategy, human resources, trainings, border checks/procedures/surveillance)
• Support the development of large-scale IT tools based on EU acquis/legislation which need to be operational once CY becomes a Schengen member
• Enhance SAR operations and capabilities through trainings, upgrade/replacement of equipment/IT tools, cooperation with other MS/third countries.

The main thematic categories are border management at the external borders and support for the common visa policy.

• Education and training
• Information and Communication Technologies
• Justice - Security
• Migration and Citizenship
• Other Services
• Other Thematic Category

• Central Government
• Educational Institutions
• International Organisations
• NGOs
• Non Profit Organisations
• Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions

European Funds Directorate of Ministry of Interior – Managing Authority of Home Affairs Funds