Less than a month into the official roll-out of the European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum, ICMPD commits to support the implementation of one of the foremost reforms in European migration and asylum policy. Following its work with Member States in developing their National Implementation Plans (NIP), ICMPD has been working to align national systems and procedures with the requirements of the EU Pact on asylum procedures, border security, screening, Solidarity responsibility mechanisms, and protecting vulnerable persons.
Countries
Estonia
Status
Ongoing
Duration
15.04.2025
to
14.04.2026
Donors
This project is funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by ICMPD, in cooperation with the European Commission
Summary
Technical support was provided to the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB), under the Estonian Ministry of the Interior, and the Social Insurance Board (SIB), under the Ministry of Social Affairs, with a focus on implementing reforms in the areas of solidarity and responsibility mechanisms as well as safeguards for vulnerable persons, as required by the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Adopted in May 2024, the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum established a common framework for managing migration and asylum across the EU. To support its implementation, the European Commission developed a Common Implementation Plan (CIP), based on which Estonia designed and submitted its National Implementation Plan (NIP) in December 2024. To assist Member States in implementing their NIPs, the EC’s Secretariat-General Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM) offered technical support under the Technical Support Instrument (TSI). Within this framework, ICMPD supported Estonia in preparing for the implementation of the new responsibility-sharing rules and related solidarity arrangements under the Pact, as well as in streamlining safeguards for vulnerable persons by strengthening systematic assessments, referral pathways, and coordination among the actors involved.
Support delivered
The project provided support through a comprehensive analysis of current and future workflows in the areas of responsibility-sharing and vulnerability assessment. In coordination with national stakeholders, technical experts and EU agencies, updated procedures and recommendations were developed to guide future procedures in line with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. To facilitate their implementation, tailored training materials and guidance documents were prepared to further strengthen institutional capacity.
All activities were implemented over a 14-month period in close cooperation with national authorities to ensure targeted support and national ownership.
Results achieved
The project supported Estonia in preparing for the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum by enhancing procedures related to responsibility-sharing and vulnerability assessment. Updated workflows, developed together with stakeholders and experts, provided clearer guidance for future implementation, while training and supporting materials helped staff apply these procedures in practice. The anticipated outcomes included strengthened institutional readiness, improved support for applicants in vulnerable situations, and a more resilient system in line with Estonia’s reform priorities under the Pact.