Funding objectives and target groups
The aim of the European Integration Fund is to improve co-operation between the EU states and to support them in implementing social integration of third-country nationals with very diverse cultural, social, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds (cf. Art. 2, para. 1 of the Council EIF Decision).
The specific objectives arising from this are given in Art. 3 of the Council EIF Decision.
Integration can take place in a number of ways. Examples include creating programmes and measures to familarise immigrants with the culture, history and language of the host society, offering training in intercultural skills with employees of private and public enterprises or improving organisational structures. The exchange of information concerning promising measures between stakeholders is also supported.
The integration fund's target group is third-country nationals, i.e. immigrants from non-EU states. This group also includes relatives of ethnic German repatriates. The focus of the EIF support is on newly arrived immigrants (cf. Art.2, para.1 Council EIF Decision). However, in exceptional cases, third-country nationals who have been living in Germany for a while may also benefit from these funds.
The measures which are in principle eligible for support can be found under Art. 4 Council EIF Decision.
