Summary
Technical support is 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) offers technical support under the Technical Support Instrument (TSI). Within this framework, ICMPD is supporting 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 to be delivered
The project provides 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 will be 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 will be prepared to further strengthen institutional capacity. All activities are implemented over a 12-month period in close cooperation with national authorities to ensure targeted support and national ownership.
Results to be achieved
The project is expected to support 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, will provide clearer guidance for future implementation, while training and supporting materials will help staff apply these procedures in practice. The anticipated outcomes include 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.