The Internal Security Fund shall contribute to three specific objectives by:

1. improving and facilitating the exchange of information between and within competent authorities and relevant Union bodies, offices and agencies and, where relevant, with third countries and international organisations,
2. improving and intensifying cross-border cooperation, including joint operations, between competent authorities in relation to terrorism and serious and organised crime with a cross-border dimension and
3. supporting the strengthening of Member States’ capabilities in relation to preventing and combating crime, terrorism and radicalisation, as well as managing security-related incidents, risks and crises, including through increased cooperation between public authorities, relevant Union bodies, offices or agencies, civil society and private partners in different Member States.

The policy objective of the Fund is to contribute to ensuring a high level of security in the Union, in particular by preventing and combating terrorism and radicalisation, serious and organised crime, and cybercrime, by assisting and protecting victims of crime, as well as by preparing for, protecting against and effectively managing security-related incidents, risks and crises.

Based on the national and EU strategic priorities, the Schengen evaluations and needs identified, CY aims to achieve the following:

• Improve the exchange and enhance the analysis of information capabilities with other MS, Europol and/or third countries, including through the implementation of recommendations from relevant evaluation mechanisms, such as Schengen Evaluation;
• Improve coordination and cooperation of competent authorities as well as EU LEAs;
• Strengthen cross border cooperation in relation to crime with MS and neighbouring third countries;
• Ensure continuous training of Police officers and other relevant staff, in close coordination with CEPOL, with a view to avoiding duplication and maximising synergies;
• Enhance operational capacity in order to become more effective and compatible to the latest standards.

In particular, the main priorities are:

Specific objective 1.

• Set up/adapt and maintain ICT systems/ applications/ new software to increase the exchange of information between MS/ Europol;
• Ensure interoperability of IT systems;
• Implementation of actions based on the Schengen Evaluation.

Specific objective 2. 

• Continue and enhance participation to actions in the context of EMPACT;
• Promote exchange of information and best practices regarding various types of serious and organized crime with other MS and/or third countries in areas such as organised crime, fight against cybercrime, drug trafficking, human trafficking;
• Increase the coordination and cooperation of relevant competent authorities through actions such as cooperation of SPOCs of CY and other MS, secondments.

Specific objective 3. 

• Increase training to enhance operational skills and implementation of the EU Law Enforcement Training Scheme in collaboration with CEPOL, with a view to avoiding duplication and maximising synergies;
• Improve investigation procedures and cooperation among relevant bodies;
• Strengthen operational capacities through the setting up of specialized infrastructure, acquiring relevant equipment, means of transport, additional staff in order to increase effectiveness of investigations.

The main policy areas are:

• Preventing and combating terrorism and radicalisation
• Preventing and combating serious and organised crime
• Combating serious crime/corruption
• Tackling Financial Crime
• Combating trafficking in drugs
• Combating Cybercrime
• Combating Trafficking in Human Beings

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

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

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