The asylum, migration and integration fund 2014-2020 : a comparative analysis of Malta and Sweden

Abstract

Migration has been a widely controversial phenomenon, that not only has affected the European Union, but it has also affected each member state differently. Recent historical events, including the harsh conflicts in northern and central Africa, have resulted in a extremely large influx of migrants and asylum seekers that attempt to enter European Union borders for protection and the hope of finding a better standard of life. This large influx of migrants has created numerous challenges for the majority of the member states in one way or another, leaving many countries in an alarming state of migration management. This study will go into the evaluation of the Asylum, migration and integration fund, this fund was introduced by the European Union with the main objective being to provide assistance to countries in the area of migration management. Subsequently this thesis will also provide an in-depth comparative analysis on the approaches taken by both Malta and Sweden in order to implement this fund. This study will also outline how this fund has provide financial support for both of the selected countries and how each country utilised this fund in line with their specific needs and objectives, which vary from one another due to being affected by migration in different circumstances.