EPIM is an initiative of NEF, the Network of European Foundations, and a collaborative effort between eleven European foundations:

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Introduction

EPIM is the European Programme for Integration and Migration, initiated in 2005 by a group of foundations from different European countries. It aims to strengthen the role played by NGOs active on migration and integration issues in advocating for a European agenda that benefits migrants and host communities.

Following the successful first phase of the programme, and building on the lessons learnt, the second phase of EPIM is now launched.

This second phase will take a broader perspective and will run from 2008 until 2011. Grants will be available for short and longer projects (up to 3 years).

EPIM Mission Statement

EPIM seeks to improve the lives of regular and undocumented migrants through a three year grants programme.

EPIM intends to fund a range of initiatives and issues within the areas of integration. The programme seeks to fund organisations/projects that impact on constructive integration policies nationally and locally, and inform policy at the European level. It can potentially support a range of organisations/projects, focusing on people at all stages of life, in different circumstances and throughout the European Union.

EPIM GRANTS PROGRAMME

What will EPIM fund?

Priority will be given to organisations/projects concentrating on one or more of the following areas:

• Access to fundamental rights, services and justice for undocumented migrants;
• The involvement of the migrant's voice in developing and implementing policy;
• The role of the host community in encouraging and supporting integration.

Projects should seek to demonstrate one or more of the following components:

• Strategic use of the media and communications to encourage integration.
• Partnerships and links between member states:
  • Organisations/projects working primarily at the European level must demonstrate that they will consult with and disseminate to organisations working at national level;

or,

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  • Organisations/projects working primarily at the national level must demonstrate that they have and will strengthen links with similar groups in other member states; and/or that they are seeking to advocate effectively either independently or in conjunction with others across the EU or at the European Union level.

When assessing the grant applications, we will consider:

• Measurable change/impact the project targets to achieve through this grant. Applications should explain the methods and strategies that will be used to evaluate the project's impact throughout the grant period.
• Sharing good practice. What is the potential for using the project as a model for other organisations? How will that be achieved? In particular, consideration will be given to the transferability of best practices and experiences from one city, region and country to another.
• Innovation. Will this project address gaps in existing services, offering new and more effective ways of delivering services to supporting the target groups?
• Mainstreaming of integration services with particular emphasis on the skills, good practices and methods needed for converting existing targeted services into corresponding mainstream provisions.
• The sustainability of the project beyond the grant period.

EPIM will not fund new start-up organisations; capital projects (supporting the development of buildings, offices etc); individual legal expenses to assist with on-going court cases and appeals or individual appeals for support; or projects based outside the European Union.

We would like to thank all applicants to our EPIM call for proposals which has now closed. The result of the 2nd selection round will be communicated to the candidates at the beginning of July.