Mid-term Evaluation of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) 2021-2027
Publication date: 30 December 2025 | Report language: EN
Technopolis Group (offices in Austria, France, the Netherlands and Belgium), in consortium with EY, supported the European Commission (DG HOME) in the mid-term evaluation of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) for the 2021-2027 programming period. The evaluation covered €9.88 billion in EU funding across 26 Member States. Based on the evaluation findings, DG HOME published Staff Working Document SWD(2025) 270 final.
AMIF, alongside the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF), forms part of the Home Affairs Funds contributing to EU objectives in migration, border management and security. The fund supports four specific objectives: strengthening the Common European Asylum System, promoting legal migration and integration of third-country nationals, enhancing return and reintegration, and fostering solidarity between Member States.
The evaluation was conducted in line with the European Commission’s Better Regulation Guidelines and assessed the fund’s effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, relevance and EU added value. The methodology combined quantitative and qualitative approaches, including analysis of financial and performance data from 26 Member State programmes, 90 stakeholder interviews, 419 survey responses, 7 country case studies and 5 thematic case studies.
Selected findings
On effectiveness
- Following initial delays, AMIF programmes have reached steady implementation, with a 46% implementation rate and 11% absorption rate—the highest among Common Provisions Regulation Funds.
- Member States are progressing toward operational objectives, albeit with notable variation in speed and achievement levels.
- Financial progress is particularly evident under Specific Objective 1 (Common European Asylum System) and Specific Objective 2 (Legal migration and integration).
- Specific Objective 3 (Return) shows less marked progress due to inherent difficulties with return measures and dependence on third-country cooperation.
- Progress was impacted by external factors (war in Ukraine, COVID-19) and internal challenges (staffing shortages, regulatory issues).
- Relevant partners are broadly involved in AMIF management across all stages of programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, though challenges remain in engaging smaller civil society organisations.
- By mid-2024, the Thematic Facility work programmes 2021-2022 were fully committed. The Thematic Facility supported 656 projects under Union Actions, 19 EMAS projects and 22 Specific Actions.
- Union Actions are considered particularly effective in strengthening legal migration and contributing to integration and social inclusion of third-country nationals.
On efficiency
- The fund supports cost-effective measures aligned with best practices in asylum, integration and voluntary return. Simplified cost options and flat-rate technical assistance have reduced administrative burden, though cost-effectiveness is unevenly realized.
- Technical Assistance has strengthened management capacities through IT investments and training.
- Beneficiaries and Managing Authorities report regulatory and monitoring requirements remain cumbersome, including duplication of information provision at different stages.
On coherence
- AMIF demonstrates satisfactory coherence between Member State programmes and the Thematic Facility, and with other EU Funds.
- Strong complementarities with ESF+, ERDF, and other Home Affairs Funds (ISF, BMVI), with better demarcation between AMIF and ESF+ compared to 2014-2020.
- Most Member States have coordination mechanisms between AMIF and other CPR Funds.
On EU added value
- AMIF generated significant EU added value across all Member States by achieving more collectively than countries could accomplish alone.
- The Thematic Facility focused on EU-wide priorities including reception conditions, psychological support and migration management.
- 19 Member States developed new interventions and addressed new target groups (scope effects).
- 11 Member States expanded services or end-users reached (scale effects).
- 14 Member States enhanced administrative capacity for migration management (function effects).
On relevance
- AMIF addresses evolving needs effectively, with proper stakeholder identification ensuring relevant inputs were considered.
- Member States can adapt programmes to evolving needs thanks to financial flexibility mechanisms, though needs assessments are not systematically updated during implementation.
- The Thematic Facility helped address emerging needs and emergency situations, particularly the Ukraine displacement.
- AMIF scope covers activities needed for Pact on Migration and Asylum implementation by July 2026.
Our recommendations and lessons learned
- Promote flexibility in programme and project management to respond quickly to external factors such as the war in Ukraine or COVID-19, complementing Thematic Facility interventions.
- Address internal administrative issues—insufficient human resources and lack of coordination—that hindered smooth implementation in certain Member States. Encourage development of comprehensive, proactive remedy strategies.
- Reinforce promotion and monitoring of horizontal principles during programme implementation.
- Better attract and support smaller beneficiaries and civil society organisations facing difficulties accessing AMIF funding due to lack of EU funding experience and co-financing requirements. Provide targeted support with application procedures and introduce capacity building measures.
- Further involve partners in programme implementation, for example through regular calls for civil society organisations and local/regional authorities to participate in Monitoring Committees, and alternative consultation mechanisms for organisations with resource constraints.
- Reinforce understanding of the performance framework and its potential benefits beyond formal compliance. Improve target setting and support Member States in supplying reliable, up-to-date progress information.
- Promote digitalisation and automation for collecting and submitting information, and provide targeted training to final beneficiaries to streamline monitoring requirements.
- Continue supporting use of simplified cost options (flat rates, lump sums, unit costs) to minimize administrative overhead, especially for smaller projects.
- Improve communication strategy detail and make better use of guidance and toolboxes on communication and visibility requirements.
- Improve clarity on cooperation between and within national authorities to enable evaluation and establishment of best practices.
- Reinforce coordination with other Union Funds, particularly external spending programmes (NDICI) and in view of Pact on Migration and Asylum implementation.
Download the full Staff Working Document here.
Source: European Commission, SWD(2025) 270 final.
