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European Refugee Fund
 
 
The European Refugee Fund (ERF) is a European Union programme that provides funding to Member States to support the reception of asylum seekers, and the reception and integration of refugees.
 
In Ireland, the fund supports organisations at a local and national level that provide services in education, health and community development. The fund promotes access to services and gives training to the service providers.
 
The Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration in the Department of Justice and Equality is the responsible authority for the fund. Pobal manages the funding on its behalf.
 
Asylum Seeker
 
 
An asylum seeker is a person who enters the country and lodges an application in the asylum process to be recognised as a refugee. This person has a legal entitlement to stay in the country until a decision is made on their application. If a person is recognised as a refugee, they will be allowed to stay in Ireland for safety and will be given rights under Irish law which are close to those of an Irish citizen.
 
 
Refugee
 
 
 
A refugee is a person who is forced to leave their country due to a well-founded fear of persecution. They are unable to return to their home country for reasons related to race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. Ireland has a legal responsibility to determine who is a refugee and to extend its protection to such a person.
 
The European Refugee Fund also supports people whose stay in Ireland is of a lasting and stable nature, such as people receiving subsidiary protection and resettled people. Family members are also eligible for support.
 
Reception Actions and Integration Supports
 
 
 
Reception actions are focused on meeting some of the basic needs of asylum seekers when they are going through the asylum process.
 
Integration supports are more focused on activities that promote participation in the social, economic and cultural life of the State.
 
Separate programme guidelines, application form and application guidance for the European Integration Fund are available.
 
For further information on projects currently or recently funded by the ERF, please see below:

European Refugee Fund Summary