ACM promotes a fund for supporting Asylum, Migration and Integration programs / projects. This Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund contributes to: 1) the effective management of migration flows and to the definition of a common approach on asylum and migration; 2) supports the efforts of the Member States to promote their capacities to accommodate immigrants; 3) to improve the quality of asylum procedures in accordance with Union standards; and, 4) to integrate immigrants at local and regional level and to increase the sustainability of return programs.
The European Commission approved the National Program in March 2015, allowing Portugal to receive financial support from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, which is part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2014-2020. The purpose of the MFF 2014-2020 in the field of Internal Affairs is to help supporting the Member States in the pursuit of a European policy, which focuses on legal immigration, the integration of third-country nationals and the reception of beneficiaries of international protection. The period for application is open: from May 2016 until May 2017.