Within the Framework credit on migration, amounting to 200 million Swiss Francs, the Rapid Response Fund (RRF) is reserved for projects responding to short-term needs in the area of migration. This fund, which is part of the second Swiss contribution and runs until 2029, is deployed in one or more EU Member States in the event of a crisis resulting in particular from sudden and large-scale migratory movements.
The general objective of the RRF is to strengthen migration management structures in the EU member states. The fund aims at reinforcing the capacity of non-state actors to intervene rapidly with focussed actions in case of an urgent need.
The RRF is a specific instrument managed directly by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), who is in charge of the selection of projects, which can be submitted by different stakeholders with relevant experience in the field of migration, such as international organisations and NGOs. The Fund will support projects focusing on migration in the areas of asylum, infrastructure, voluntary return and reintegration as well as integration with the aim of preventing irregular secondary migration.
The RRF appeal for 2025 is currently open. Two types of projects will be supported, namely emergency and targeted projects.
The first type are projects that meet urgent needs, while the second are projects, which meet short-and medium-term objectives. The duration of emergency projects is a maximum of one year. The co-funding rate to be covered by the project partner is generally set at a minimum of 15%. Some exceptions to this rule are possible, if duly justified.
The project duration for targeted Projects can last up to two years, and the co-funding of the project partners is at least 15%.
Based on a list of criteria, reflecting the current migratory movements, their influence on Switzerland as well as previous funding through the Swiss contribution, priority will be given to projects in the following countries: Spain, Croatia, Slovenia and Lithuania. Furthermore, projects in the thematic areas of voluntary return and reintegration will be prioritised. Projects impacted by a cessation of funding will also be given priority. Projects in the above-mentioned countries which focus on Ukrainians seeking protection can focus on all thematic areas covered by the RRF.
The project budget should range between CHF 300’000 and CHF 1 Mio.
The project applicant is welcome to submit a concept note to the SEM until 18th May 2025 using the following two templates: Template Project Proposal and Template Project Budget.
As an important part of the Rapid Response Fund budget has already been allocated in previous years, the funding possibilities for 2025 will be limited and only few projects will be selected.
Last modification 17.04.2025
