Internal Security Fund (ISF)

The EU budget corresponds to around 1% of the Union’s gross national income (or 2% of total public spending in the EU) and its impact on the economy is debated, with many analysts deeming it relatively small in size in comparison with the wide range of policy areas in which the EU has responsibilities. The European Commission notes that the EU budget is different in nature and function from national budgets, since it is mainly an investment budget with a focus on measures with a European added value.

For those interested in knowing more about the EU budget, the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) has launched a new series of publications on ‘How the EU budget is spent’. The aim is to give a concise overview of the key features of each major EU spending programme and fund for 2014-20, including: the role of the EU in the policy area, objectives, budgetary figures, eligible measures, funded projects and assessment of results. The Internal Security Fund (ISF) supports the implementation of the renewed EU Internal Security Strategy and finances measures related to cooperation in law enforcement and the management of the EU's external borders. The Fund has two components: one deals with external borders and visa issues, while the other focuses on police cooperation, preventing and combatting crime, and on crisis management.

Author: Alessandro D'Alfonso

• Primary Source

EP: EPRS: Briefing: EU Legislation in Progress http://epthinktank.eu/eu-legislation-in-progress/

ESO: Background information: Full compliance: the EU’s new security agenda http://www.europeansources.info/record/full-compliance-the-eus-new-security-agenda/

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