Submission of the BMVI programme amendment

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SFC2021 Programme for AMIF, ISF and BMVI

CCI number 2021EE65BVPR001

Title in English BMVI programme 2021-2027 for Estonia

Title in national language(s) ET - Piirihalduse ja viisapoliitika rahastu rakenduskava 2021-2027

Version 2.0

First year 2021

Last year 2027

Eligible from 01-Jan-2021

Eligible until 31-Dec-2029

Commission decision number C(2022)6298

Commission decision date 04-Sep-2022

Member State amending decision number

Member State amending decision entry into force date

Non substantial transfer (Article 24(5) CPR) Yes

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Table of Contents

1. Programme strategy: main challenges and policy responses ..................................................................... 4 2. Specific Objectives & Technical Assistance ............................................................................................. 8

2.1. Specific objective: 1. European integrated border management......................................................... 9 2.1.1. Description of the specific objective............................................................................................ 9 2.1.2. Indicators.................................................................................................................................... 14

Table 1: Output indicators................................................................................................................ 14 Table 2: Result indicators ................................................................................................................ 15

2.1.3. Indicative breakdown of the programme resources (EU) by type of intervention .................... 17 Table 3: Indicative breakdown......................................................................................................... 17

2.1. Specific objective: 2. Common visa policy ...................................................................................... 19

2.1.1. Description of the specific objective.......................................................................................... 19 2.1.2. Indicators.................................................................................................................................... 22

Table 1: Output indicators................................................................................................................ 22 Table 2: Result indicators ................................................................................................................ 23

2.1.3. Indicative breakdown of the programme resources (EU) by type of intervention .................... 24

Table 3: Indicative breakdown......................................................................................................... 24 2.2. Technical assistance: TA.36(5). Technical assistance - flat rate (Art. 36(5) CPR) .......................... 25

2.2.1. Description ................................................................................................................................. 25 2.2.2. Indicative breakdown of technical assistance pursuant to Article 37 CPR ............................... 26

Table 4: Indicative breakdown......................................................................................................... 26

3. Financing plan.......................................................................................................................................... 27 3.1. Financial appropriations by year....................................................................................................... 27

Table 5: Financial appropriations per year ...................................................................................... 27 3.2. Total financial allocations ................................................................................................................. 28

Table 6: Total financial allocations by fund and national contribution ........................................... 28

3.3. Transfers............................................................................................................................................ 29 Table 7: Transfers between shared management funds1 ...................................................................... 29

Table 8: Transfers to instruments under direct or indirect management1 ............................................ 30 4. Enabling conditions ................................................................................................................................. 31

Table 9: Horizontal enabling conditions .................................................................................................. 31

5. Programme authorities ............................................................................................................................. 37 Table 10: Programme authorities ............................................................................................................. 37

6. Partnership ............................................................................................................................................... 38 7. Communication and visibility .................................................................................................................. 39 8. Use of unit costs, lump sums, flat rates and financing not linked to costs .............................................. 40

Appendix 1: Union contribution based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates.......................................... 41 A. Summary of the main elements........................................................................................................... 41

B. Details by type of operation ................................................................................................................ 42 C. Calculation of the standard scale of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates ............................................. 43

1. Source of data used to calculate the standard scale of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates (who

produced, collected and recorded the data, where the data is stored, cut-off dates, validation, etc.) .......................................................................................................................................................... 43

2. Please specify why the proposed method and calculation based on Article 94(2) CPR is relevant to the type of operation. ................................................................................................................... 44 3. Please specify how the calculations were made, in particular including any assumptions made in

terms of quality or quantities. Where relevant, statistical evidence and benchmarks should be used and, if requested, provided in a format that is usable by the Commission. ..................................... 45

4. Please explain how you have ensured that only eligible expenditure was included in the calculation of the standard scale of unit cost, lump sum or flat rate. ............................................... 46 5. Assessment of the audit authority(ies) of the calculation methodology and amounts and the

arrangements to ensure the verification, quality, collection and storage of data. ............................ 47 Appendix 2: Union contribution based on financing not linked to costs ..................................................... 48

A. Summary of the main elements........................................................................................................... 48

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B. Details by type of operation ................................................................................................................ 49 DOCUMENTS............................................................................................................................................. 51

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1. Programme strategy: main challenges and policy responses

Reference: points (a)(iii), (iv), (v) and (ix) Article 22(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 (CPR)

In Estonia, there has been a significant change in the national strategic planning process compared to the

programming of the 2014-2020 period. All strategic planning of the national needs and their financing is central; there is no separate process for programming the EU funds. The planning is source-neutral; the

mapping of important strategic goals is done without determining the source of budget. The funding is decided on a rolling basis during the yearly budgeting exercises. This fundamental change in process has also affected the compilation and structure of the BMVI programme.

The-long term umbrella strategy Estonia 2035 provides a coherent guidance for policy-makers. The objectives will guarantee that Estonians will remain wise, active, and healthy, the Estonian society will

remain caring, cooperative, and open, and our economy will remain strong, innovative, and responsible. The focus is also on assuring that environment is caring, safe, and high-quality, and that our nation is innovative, trustworthy, and people-centered. All national strategies and action plans stem from the

Estonia 2035. The main national strategy covering the border management and migration goals is the Internal Security

Development Plan (ISDP). The ISDP has been compiled in close partnership with all relevant partners and stakeholders. In Estonia, the responsibility for implementing border management and migrat ion policies is intertwined between several ministries and areas of government. The ISDP 2020-2030 takes

into account the respective EU policies and goals and is complimented by the Foreign Policy Development Plan, Estonian Digital Society Development Plan, etc.

Estonia ensures the surveillance of the Schengen external border. Border guards operate on the basis of the Schengen acquis and the principles of Integrated Border Management, important elements of which are patrols and risk analysis, border control, cross-border crime investigations in cooperation with other

countries' internal security authorities, liaison officers in third countries and other internationa l cooperation.

In addition to border guards, a big role in facilitating legitimate border crossings for bona fide travelers, while preventing irregular migration and security risks, is played by foreign representations of Estonia. Schengen visas are issued in accordance with the EU visa code ensuring the necessary safeguards and

mechanisms to effectively protect the privacy and fundamental rights of travelers, particularly when it comes their private life and personal data.

The biggest challenges for border management and visa process in Estonia are building up border

infrastructure at the Estonian-Russian land border, ensuring fluent but secure border traffic; ensuring interoperability and operation of the EU large-scale IT systems (EES, ETIAS, SIS, VIS),

upgrading EUROSUR and maritime surveillance system for effective protection of the EU external border.

The measures to address these challenges include developments and continuity of information and

communication technologies, smart and innovative technological tools, increased analytical capacity

(artificial intelligence, CIRAM), cooperation within and between different parties and authorities as

well as improved national capabilities incl. through training and purchase of equipment. Staffing the relevant units with sufficient number of skilled professionals is also a necessity.

In previous years implementing relevant EU acquis was mostly through national budget. As complimentary resources, the External Borders and Visa instrument of the Internal Security Fund (ISFB) funding also provided valuable aid.

The same logic is used for period 2021-2027 – although the BMVI scope foresees measures for the most of the issues in the area of border management and visa, it is not feasible to overcome all the current

challenges solely with the help of the BMVI funding. This programme seeks to address these to the maximum extent possible while also leaving a degree of flexibility to be able to respond to future events and changing priorities, e.g. the programme can also cover measures benefiting the target population

affected by the Ukraine war. The types of intervention matching the “0 EUR” amount in financing tables of the programme correspond to those for which possible future needs linked to the implementation of

the Thematic Facility are anticipated, in line with Article 22(4)(d) CPR. The actions to be financed will depend on the resources available and priorities at the time. The precise actions and the source of financ ing will be agreed during the implementation of the programme in accordance with national procedures.

Synergies with other funds (e.g. AMIF, ISF, CPF, CCEI) and agencies’ toolbox will be sought and

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overlapping avoided by the thorough communication between ministries, European Commission, agencies and other relevant stakeholders. As the challenges remain mostly the same, the BMVI programme will focus on similar activities as those

of ISFB in the period of 2014-2020. The support will be given in grants. The BMVI programme design and strategy takes into account the administrative capacity and governance rules for efficiency and

wherever possible simplification measures will be implemented to reduce the administrative burden and enhanced efficiency, effectiveness and economy. The BMVI programme provides for a number of actions that support increasing the surveillance of the EU external borders and border control capabilities. The

actions contribute to latest requirements set out in the EBCG 2.0 Regulation, the improvement of information exchange, ensuring control of the external border in accordance with the common standards

of the EU and uniform application of the EU acquis. Priority is given to the measures that support either maintaining or expanding the national capability to manage external borders as well as contribute to solidarity. For the common visa policy, it is important to continue with regular training of consular staff

to ensure harmonised application of Visa Code and VIS regulation. In parallel modern equipment, such as facial recognition system needs to be purchased. It is also important to continue to develop and

implement digital visas and systems. Developments related to common Visa Information System of the European Union is a priority. Actions will be designed and implemented in line with the requirements of the EU Charter of Fundamenta l

Rights. To ensure equal opportunities so that all people feel equally safe, regardless of their place of residence, language, gender, race, age, disability, etc target group needs are assessed. Activities which

have or might have significant environmental impact are not financed from the BMVI. Despite being less than 10% of the total budget, the BMVI programme allocation for specific objective: visa corresponds to all the needs expressed by all the potential beneficiaries (Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and Police and Border Guard Board) to achieve this objective. Harmonized approach for the issuance of visas and to facilitate legitimate travel, while helping prevent migratory and security risks will be achieved

in combination of BMVI, Structural Funds and national funding. State of play of implementation of EU acquis and action plans: The Estonian National Integrated Border Management (IBM) strategy

IBM is a part of the Enhanced Border Security Program of the ISDP and is developed to fulfil the nationa l obligation stipulated in the Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 on the European Border and Coast Guard. The

IBM Strategy is accompanied with a specific action plan. The IBM Strategy and Action Plan are living documents, which are updated when necessary and brought in line with the respective European and Frontex strategies. National capability development plan is based on the strategic priorities in the nationa l

IBM strategy and other relevant strategies and programmes in the field of border management. The development of national border management capabilities will among other things be carried out in the

framework of the EBCG capability development planning in accordance with the EBCG Regulation Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) is the main authority responsible for the development and implementation of the IBM in Estonia. The main partners are the Estonian Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, the Tax and Customs Board, the Environmental Board, the Estonian Defense Forces, the Defense League and the Estonian Internal Security Service.

The national IBM takes fully into account the strategic objectives of the Technical and Operational Strategy for European Integrated Border management: 1. Reduced vulnerability of the external borders based on comprehensive situational awareness;

2. Safe, secure and well-functioning EU external borders; 3. Sustained European Border and Coast Guard capabilities.

Development of the national components of the European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) National border and coast guard team for supporting the EBCG is established in the PBGB. Technica l

equipment reserve is created. Equipment purchased will be in compliance with technical standards set out by Frontex. Operational assistance to MSs is provided under Frontex coordination, as necessary. The

PBGB participates in Frontex joint operations, in border interventions and in return related interventions. Estonia participates in Frontex risk analysis, pooled resources and training standards development and in other working groups and training events. Deployment of Frontex-, CEPOL- and eu-LISA-trained and

certified experts and advisers contribute to the further development of the Estonian capability to protect EU external borders. So far Estonia has fulfilled 100% of its obligations towards Forntex II- and III-

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category standing corps. Regular information sharing with Agencies is in line with the agreed format regarding FRAN, EUROSUR and vulnerability assessment. National Coordination Center (NCC) is responsible for effective information analysis based on CIRAM and information exchange with EU MSs

and Frontex. The further development of national components of EBCG involve harmonized training of border guards in accordance with the Common Core Curricula for Border Guards and procurement of

operating means, which are in accordance with Frontex standards. EUROSUR EUROSUR was installed in the PBGB on 7 November 2012 by the information technology officials of

Frontex. Since October 1 2014, NCC Estonia has been operating as the Single Point of Contact (SPoC) of the PBGB. The scope of EUROSUR will considerably evolve to cover all aspects related to information

exchange. Implementation of EUROSUR in line with the new features of the new EBCG Regulation and in particular the following points will be implemented:

 The scope of EUROSUR which now includes systematic reporting related to checks at border crossing points, air border surveillance and the reporting of available information on secondary movement.

 Possible evolution of the national coordination centres with enlarged interagency cooperation to cover the new scope of EUROSUR.

 The evolution of the IT systems software and architecture to meet the new communicat ion standards and allow machine to machine interconnection.

 The necessary recruitment and training of EUROSUR operators.

 Security evolution and the need to connect the communication network up to EU confidentia l which could impact both physical and IT security but also training and personnel.

Large-scale IT-systems and interoperability

Estonia is committed to timely implementation of smart border package (e.g. Entry-Exit System (EES), European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), Schengen Information System (SIS), Visa Information System (VIS) and their interoperability. The interfaces between national border control

and migration surveillance systems and the EES National Unit Interface have been created. Preparations for creating Central Access Point and projects implementing new SIS and ETIAS regulations are

advancing. Due attention must be paid to ensuring effective coordination between different nationa l agencies and other relevant stakeholders and allocation of adequate human and financial resources, as well as a timely execution of procurement and other administrative procedures. Estonia needs to adjust

its workflows and requirement for providing specific training programmes, as the proper implementat ion of the IT systems alone is not enough to ensure the success of the new information architecture of the EU.

Also, governance structures need to be in place, national implementation programmes adopted and working procedures changed. Scheval recommendations and vulnerability assessment

Estonia has successfully passed the Schengen evaluation and vulnerability assessments. No major deficiencies concerning border management were identified in 2018.

As of 2019 4 vulnerability assessment recommendations were pending, all of which have been closed. Last recommendation (EE005 – CIRAM 2.0 training) was closed in July 5th 2021.Estonian priorities are measures addressing outstanding shortcomings identified in the Vulnerability Assessment/Scheva l

Evaluation recommendations. Measures that take account developments of legislative framework are foreseen.

The Schengen evaluation of Estonia's visa policy took place in October 2018. In total, 56 recommendations were issued to Estonia, two of which are still to be completed. One recommendation is related to the introduction of a new visa register and should be completed in 2024, funding is foreseen in

the BMVI. The second recommendation for the compliance of the visa register with the data protection requirements will be completed in 2022. State budget was used to implement Schengen recommendations.

Transfer Estonia applies for the transfer of 5% of the AMIF initial allocation (1 112 731 €) to the BMVI in line with Article 26 (1) CPR. Estonia ensures that the objectives of the AMIF will be met also after the transfer

of 5%. The 2021-2027 AMIF programme considers all the relevant needs of potential beneficiaries that have been mapped during the preparation of national strategies compiled to implement relevant policies.

The integration measures for the third country nationals will be complemented and in large part funded

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by the ESF+. There is also possibility to use Thematic Facility. Furthermore, as AMIF projects will start in the second half of 2022, there is a potential risk that Estonia will not be able to use the 10% of the initial AMIF allocation by the mid-term review and would lose the right for the additional funding as

stipulated in the Article 17(2) of the Regulation (EL) 2021/1147. One of the biggest challenges and therefore the government’s priority in Estonia is protecting the EU

external border – Estonian-Russian land border. Estonia has already invested a considerable amount of national resources to erect the border fence and will continue to do so. The goal for the years 2022-2025 is to equip the land border with state-of-the-art surveillance technology. Almost 52 % of the BMVI

allocation has been planned to use for that goal, however because the cost for the technology in that kind of volume is very high, additional amounts are sought. AMIF transfer in an amount of 1 112 731 € will

be used as one additional source.

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2. Specific Objectives & Technical Assistance

Reference: Article 22(2) and (4) CPR

Selected Specific objective or Technical assistance Type of action

1. European integrated border management Regular actions

x 1. European integrated border management Specific actions

1. European integrated border management Annex IV actions

1. European integrated border management Operating support

1. European integrated border management STS

1. European integrated border management Emergency assistance

1. European integrated border management ETIAS regulation Art. 85(2)

1. European integrated border management ETIAS regulation Art. 85(3)

2. Common visa policy Regular actions

2. Common visa policy Specific actions

2. Common visa policy Annex IV actions

2. Common visa policy Operating support

2. Common visa policy Emergency assistance

TA.36(5). Technical assistance - flat rate (Art. 36(5) CPR)

TA.37. Technical assistance - not linked to costs (Art. 37 CPR)

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2.1. Specific objective: 1. European integrated border management

2.1.1. Description of the specific objective

Estonian IBM model is built on four tiers: activities in third countries; cooperation with neighbouring countries; border control; and measures at the area of free movement.

The IBM strategy of Estonia is influenced by the 3rd countries in the neighbourhood, taking into account changes in their political, economic or security situation and the good connection between Estonia and other EU MSs. There is a high probability that changes in a neighbouring 3rd country will have a primary impact on the land border; affecting the passenger flow, increase the threats related to cross-border

criminality and other border-related violations or non-traditional threats at the external border. Therefore, analysis of the IBM system, its functioning, and analysis of vulnerabilities for mitigating possible risks in

every aspect of an identified threat is essential.

Border control measures are based on Schengen best practices. Systematic risk analysis products are developed using CIRAM. Logically arranged intelligence management supports the planning of service and other border-related activities, with the optimal use of resources in accordance with identified threats,

vulnerabilities and impact. For situational picture, Estonia maintains an effective cooperation in risk analysis, information exchange and in operational activities with international and EU Agencies, such as

Interpol, EUROPOL, Frontex, EASO, eu-LISA, etc. and with other states, organisations and bodies.

ISFB funding enabled the procurement of modern, state-of-the art equipment, such as patrol cars, special transport means, border control and migration surveillance devices, technical capacity needed in order

to check fingerprint biometrics, multirotors, water crafts, ABC gates, etc. It helped to increase reaction capability, that has a direct link with the efficiency and quality of border control. Since the technology is rapidly evolving and vehicles acquired in 2015–2018 are reaching their end of a lifecycle, the BMVI

funding will continue this practice.

The BMVI programme in addition to other resources will provide funding for following implementa t ion measures in the area of border management to tackle the main challenges mentioned in the Section 1:

 improving border control in line with Article 3(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896

The length of the Estonian coast line is 3,794 km, sea borders 767 km and land borders, including the temporary control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation, is 338.6 km. BCPs and BGSs, air squadron, fleet and surveillance systems perform border control at the EU’s external borders

in Estonia. To ensure effective checks and surveillance activities at the external borders, prevent and

detect cross-border crime, maintain the border regime in the economic zone and performing migrat ion surveillance tasks the border must be covered by technical surveillance.

Novel border control solutions based on biometric data, which will be introduced in the near and distant future, enable the use of new opportunities in border control but also, the risk of abuse of systems by criminal environment will increase. The PBGB in cooperation with partners should ensure the

operationality of systems and cyber security while at the same time mitigating the risk of abuse of these systems by intruders. New methods of smuggling have a direct connection with the future development of

border and coast guard surveillance methods and technology. The use of drones and GPS lighthouses by wrongdoers is known to the PBGB. The development of technology and the identification of new methods is connected with overall developments in IT, radars and radiocommunication systems.

The PBGB has started to build up an external land border infrastructure, including establishing markers at the borderline. The project is mostly funded from the national budget. To cover EU/Schengen external

border close to 100% with technical surveillance is a priority. In addition, IT-system supporting the

management of border incidents is built. The on-going pilot project to find the most suitable surveillance technology is funded from the ISFB and after the test period surveillance cameras and the necessary infrastructure (poles, power cables, etc) will be procured with the help of the BMVI.

Estonia has 44 international BCPs at its external border: 7 at land borders, 30 at sea/lake borders and 7 at air borders. According to the data, 66% (2017) and 80% (2020) of the total number of passengers crossed the border at land borders, 25% (2017) and 6% (2020) at sea and 9% (2017) and 13% (2020) at air borders.

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Analyses provide that BCPs located at external land border bear the main traffic load. In 2017, 7.4 million and in 2020 1,3 million travelers crossed the Estonian external land border. Almost 50% (2017) and 63% (2020) of these border crossings took place in Narva-1 Road BCP. Therefore, it is important to keep the

balance between the fluent border crossing of travelers and the security of the state and the EU taking into account the likely development of the legislative framework.

The current border security situation at the external borders is stable. As of 2020, the level of irregular immigration threat measured by its magnitude and likelihood remains moderate at external land and air borders and low at sea borders. In 2019 there were 228, in 2020 166 and in 2021 303 irregular crossings.

Nethertheless, the situation at the Lithuanian-Belarus border in 2021 and the war which started in February 2022 in Ukraine illustrate how quickly the situation might change, if unpredictable events occur. Until COVID-19 pandemic the passenger flow and cross-border trade were in an upward trend. In 2019 the

number of regular crossings was 8 277 528, in 2020 1 585 775 and in 2021 1 099 974. The increase is predicted again after the pandemic has suppressed. To maintain fluent border crossing of persons and

goods in conditions of increasing cross-border movement accompanied by evolving cross-border criminality, illegal migration and other changing threats that affect internal security require remarkable efforts from border management authorities whose resources and capacities are limited therefore new

technological solutions needs to be sought and used (e.g. ABC-gates).

EUROSUR system is in a continuous development. It should enable good inter-agency cooperation in data collection at the BCP level between customs and border guards as well as enhanced cooperation and

information exchange with the Latvian, Lithuanian and Finnish border authorities in the future. Estonia participates in the development of systems for improving situational awareness at the EU level. At the national level, the focus is to develop IT systems jointly with different authorities and ministries, thereby

supporting the exchange of information and cooperation between authorities. The development is foreseen to take place in line with the development of the Schengen Borders Code and other legal acts as regards

EUROSUR, aiming at enhanced interoperability.

As of October 1 2014, NCC Estonia operates as the Single Point of Contact (SPoC) of the PBGB. Additionally, besides NCC Estonia, it houses SIRENE Bureau, National Europol (ENU), INTERPOL (NCB), Prüm NCP, FRONTEX NFPoC and Internal Duty Service for other Police matters. Such solution

allows access to the broadest range of relevant national and international law enforcement databases to efficiently manage direct information exchange between the competent national and internationa l

authorities. The SPoC unit operates according to the SPOC manual.

The NCC delivers the EUROSUR National Situational Picture (NSP)/ European Situational Picture (ESP) to all involved police units in the PBGB at all levels and to other national authorities such as the Tax and Customs Board, the Estonian Internal Security Service, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Defense Forces, Europol and SIRENE Bureau. With the help of the BMVI the NCC in the South-East Estonia will be partly renovated and furnished.

 enhancing inter-agency cooperation at national level among the national authoritie s

responsible for border control or for tasks carried out at the border, and at EU level between

the Member States, or between the Member States, on the one hand, and the relevant Union

bodies, offices and agencies or third countries, on the other

Estonia participates in Joint Investigation Teams and in operations focusing on cross-border crime in bilateral or multilateral forms or through EU Agencies. There is continuous cooperation with EU Member

States, Frontex and other EU institutions at a required level and with the main national authorit ies responsible for border management such as the Tax and Customs Board, the Maritime Administration, the Environmental Inspectorate, the Estonian Defence Forces, the Defence League, etc. to ensure cost

effectiveness, to avoid overlaps in tasks and to enhance the joint use of capacity in case of unpredictab le situations putting external borders under pressure. Continuous training for Tax and Customs Board

officials who perform I-level border control will be carried out.

The PBGB participates in EU Working Groups activities and cooperates with international organizat ions such as IOM, OSCE, UNHCR, and in other forms of inter-agency cooperation — BSRBCC (Baltic Sea Region Border Control Cooperation), BSTF (Baltic Sea Task Force) and in the work of Senior Officia ls

of Baltic Council of Ministers.

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 Setting up, operating and maintaining EU large-scale IT systems in the area of border

management, in particular the Schengen Information System (SIS II), the European Travel

Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), the Entry-Exit System (EES), and Eurodac

for border management purposes as well as including the interoperability of these large -scale

IT systems and their communication infrastructure, and actions to enhance data quality and

the provision of information

Cooperation for the implementation of EU large-scale IT systems is taking place with eu-LISA. Large scale IT systems (EES, ETIAS; SIS and IO) will build on and follow up on the progress made under Internal Security Fund.

 Developing the European Border and Coast Guard by supporting national authoritie s

responsible for border management to pursue measures related to capability development

and common capacity building, joint procurement, establishment of common standards and

any other measures streamlining the cooperation and coordination between the Member

States and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency

Participation in Frontex operations since 2006 has had an undeniable impact on improving the efficiency of border management and on ensuring the internal security of the state. Substantial future enlargement of Frontex requires readiness to allocate additional staff for participation in its activities. For better co- ordination of setting up the Standing Corps a SNE will be seconded to the Frontex and training courses

organized for seconded officers of Category 2 and 3.

 ensuring the uniform application of the Union acquis on external borders, including through

the implementation of recommendations from quality control mechanisms such as the

Schengen evaluation mechanism in line with Regulation (EU) No 1053/2013, vulnerability

assessments in line with Regulation (EU) 2019/1896, and national quality control mechanisms

Border guard education will ensure interoperability and the high quality of professional competences enabling proper implementation of the Schengen Acquis and ensures effective border management at national and EU external borders. PBGB experts participate in the development and updating joint curricula and training materials in Frontex (CCC, CCC for Mid-Level Officers, European Joint Masters

on Strategic Border Management, CIRAM, IBM, etc.).

In their daily service, all border control officials follow the principles of the Code of Ethics for Officia ls approved on 11 March 2015. Continues attention will be paid to those principles in trainings.

The modernisation of border control infrastructure, the introduction of innovative and beyond the state-of- the-art technology, increasing the electronic control of travellers and the extension of visa liberalisa t ion regimes create new challenges for the training of staff and for the reliability of border control systems. In

addition to internal trainings, possibilities offered by CEPOL, eu-LISA, Frontex will be used.

Quality control is vital to ensure that the performed services adhere to a defined set of quality criteria or meet the requirements of the Schengen evaluation mechanism and vulnerability assessment. BMVI funds will be used in addition to national budget to eliminate deficiencies identified during the quality

control (e.g training for border guards).

Indicative list of actions:

 Measures related to development of EUROSUR (e.g investments to national ICT system to

retrieve situational picture form the border and exchange information, purchase of

equipment such as monitors, small-scale renovation works in NCC)

 Measures related to interoperability package and EU large-scale IT systems (e.g development

of ETIAS, EES, SIS-Recast)

 Measures aiming at the development of the national components of EBCG (e.g. SNE

secondment to Frontex, etc.)

 Border management trainings to implement IBM and ensure uniform Schengen acquis incl.

courses on fundamental rights

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 Investments to border surveillance equipment compliant with Forntex standards (patrol

vehicles, UAVs, cameras, drones, drone detectors etc.), priority will be given to investments

for EE-RU land border surveillance system. All large-scale equipment will be put at Fronte x

disposal

 Investments to border control and migration monitoring equipment with technical support

(document readers, biometric data technology, microscopes etc.)

 Measures to ensure follow up of future Schengen recommendations insofar as the deficiencies

identified and the action plan concerned identifies operational measures to remedy them that

require funding

Results: External land and sea border is covered by innovative, state-of-the-art, integrated border surveillance system. Border checks and border surveillance are supported by advanced, mobile and interoperable technical systems and solutions to guarantee more efficient and reliable border control.

Enhanced capacity to develop and make the best use of the state-of-the-art technologies and large scale information systems (EES, ETIAS etc) in a unified and harmonized way. Border guards actions and IT systems are in line with Schengen Acquis and fundamental rights avoiding biased stereotypical decisions.

The principles of data protection, gender equality and non-discrimination are respected and the special needs of vulnerable persons are taken into account.

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Operating support:

In Estonia the PBGB and the Development and IT Centre of the Ministry of the Interior (SMIT) are public authorities responsible for accomplishing the tasks and services which constitute a public service for the Union in the domain of borders and migration surveillance. The statutory tasks of the PBGB include the

development and implementation of the IBM in Estonia. The statutory tasks of SMIT include development and maintenance of respective ICT systems.

To facilitate legitimate border crossings and to ensure a high-level protection of the external borders and necessary information exchange the use of relevant ICT-systems and modern technology are essential. All

ICT equipment, also border control and suveillance tools need upgrades and regular maintenace to operate smoothly and securely. Estonia plans to use operation support for border and migration control ICT

systems and equipment maintenance as well as repair costs as follows:

 Maintenance and upgrades of automatic border control (PBGB)

With the help of ISFB 16 ABC gates were installed in Tallinn airport and Narva -1 BCP in February 2021. Automatic kiosk will also be installed in Saatse BCP. The maintenance and upgrades of the e-gates are

included in the lease contract signed between PBGB and the service provider. Contract is funded from the ISFB until the end of 2022. As of 01.01.2023 the BMVI will be used for operating the e-gates.

 Operational management and maintenance of large-scale IT systems (EES; SIS; ETIAS) and

their communication infrastructures, including the interoperability of these systems and

rental of secure premises (PBGB and/or SMIT)

National border and migration control IT-systems are connected to the National Unit Interface, secure EES data center is rented. As of 01.01.2023 the management and maintenance costs of EES, ETIAS, SIS and their interoperability will be covered from BMVI to ensure efficient operation of the systems.

 Repair and maintenance costs of border control and surveillance systems equipment and

infrastructure (PBGB/SMIT)

With the help of the ISFB a number of border control and surveillance equipment has been purchased and is planned to acquire from BMVI. The licenses for tools such as document readers need to be renewed regularly. The operating tools are constantly in use and might need repairing form time to time. BMVI

operating support is used for technicians salary as well as repair and maintenance costs of surveillance equipment and systems.

EN 13 EN

Estonia complies with relevant Union acquis. There are no major pending issues. The possible future recommendations of the Schengen evaluation and Vulnerability assessment will be dealt with due care.

Financial instruments: Not applicable.

EN 14 EN

2.1. Specific objective 1. European integrated border management

2.1.2. Indicators

Reference: point (e) of Article 22(4) CPR

Table 1: Output indicators

ID Indicator Measurement unit Milestone (2024) Target (2029)

O.1.1 Number of items of equipment purchased for border crossing points number 1,216 4020

O.1.1.1 of which number of Automated Border Control gates / self-service systems / e- gates purchased number 16 16

O.1.2 Number of infrastructure maintained / repaired number 1 1

O.1.3 Number of hotspot areas supported number 0 0

O.1.4 Number of facilities for border crossing points constructed / upgraded number 1 1

O.1.5 Number of aerial vehicles purchased number 0 26

O.1.5.1 of which number of unmanned aerial vehicles purchased number 0 26

O.1.6 Number of maritime transport means purchased number 0 0

O.1.7 Number of land transport means purchased number 0 33

O.1.8 Number of participants supported number 347 496

O.1.8.1 of which number of participants in training activities number 347 494

O.1.9 Number of joint liaison officers deployed to third countries number 0 0

O.1.10 Number of IT functionalities developed / maintained / upgraded number 4 7

O.1.11 Number of large-scale IT systems developed / maintained / upgraded number 4 4

O.1.11.1 of which number of large-scale IT systems developed number 1 1

O.1.12 Number of cooperation projects with third countries number 0 0

O.1.13 Number of persons who have applied for international protection at border crossing points number 96 256

EN 15 EN

2.1. Specific objective 1. European integrated border management

2.1.2. Indicators

Reference: point (e) of Article 22(4) CPR

Table 2: Result indicators

ID Indicator Measurement

unit Baseline

Measurement

unit for baseline

Reference

year(s) Target (2029)

Measurement

unit for target Source of data Comments

R.1.14 Number of items of

equipment registered in

the Technical Equipment

Pool of the European

Border and Coast Guard

Agency

number 0 number 2021-2027 43 number project reports,

TEP

4 mobile

surveillance

solutions, 26

drones and 33

land vehicles

R.1.15 Number of items of

equipment put at the

disposal of the European

Border and Coast Guard

Agency

number 0 number 2021-2027 43 number project reports,

bilateral

agreements

4 mobile

surveillance

solutions, 26

drones and 33

land vehicles

R.1.16 Number of initiated /

improved forms of

cooperation of national

authorities with the

Eurosur National

Coordination Centre

(NCC)

number 0 number 2021-2027 0 number N/A projects not

planned

R.1.17 Number of border

crossings through

Automated Border Control

gates and e-gates

number 0 share 2021-2027 2,200,000 number IT-system ALIS,

project reports

PBGB prognosis

40% of entries

via e-gates

R.1.18 Number of addressed

recommendations from

Schengen Evaluations and

from vulnerability

assessments in the area of

border management

number 0 number 2021-2027 100 percentage Scheval

recommendation

s and

vulnerability

assessments

recommendation

s will be tackled

mostly with

national budget

R.1.19 Number of participants

who report three months

number 0 share 2021-2027 382 number project reports,

feedback sheets

EN 16 EN

ID Indicator Measurement

unit Baseline

Measurement

unit for baseline

Reference

year(s) Target (2029)

Measurement

unit for target Source of data Comments

after the training activity

that they are using the

skills and competences

acquired during the

training

R.1.20 Number of persons

refused entry by border

authorities

number 0 number 2021-2027 12,800 number IT-system ALIS

EN 17 EN

2.1. Specific objective 1. European integrated border management

2.1.3. Indicative breakdown of the programme resources (EU) by type of intervention

Reference: Article 22(5) CPR; and Article 16(12) AMIF Regulation, Article 13(12) ISF Regulation or Article 13(18) BMVI Regulation

Table 3: Indicative breakdown

Type of

intervention

Code Indicative amount

(Euro)

Intervention field 001.Border checks 2,775,524.97

Intervention field 002.Border surveillance - air equipment 114,330.78

Intervention field 003.Border surveillance - land equipment 16,465,963.22

Intervention field 004.Border surveillance - maritime equipment 0.00

Intervention field 005.Border surveillance - automated border surveillance systems 0.00

Intervention field 006.Border surveillance - other measures 853,142.23

Intervention field 007.Technical and operational measures within the Schengen area which are related to border control 0.00

Intervention field 008.Situational awareness and exchange of information 0

Intervention field 009.Risk analysis 0.00

Intervention field 010.Processing of data and information 0.00

Intervention field 011.Hotspot areas 0.00

Intervention field 012.Measures related to the identification and referral of vulnerable persons 0.00

Intervention field 013.Measures related to the identification and referral of persons who are in need of, or wish to apply for, international protection 0.00

Intervention field 014.European Border and Coast Guard development 300,000.00

Intervention field 015.Inter-agency cooperation - national level 0.00

Intervention field 016.Inter-agency cooperation - European Union level 300,000.00

Intervention field 017.Inter-agency cooperation - with third countries 0.00

Intervention field 018.Joint deployment of immigration liaison officers 0.00

Intervention field 019.Large-scale IT systems - Eurodac for border management purposes 0.00

EN 18 EN

Type of

intervention

Code Indicative amount

(Euro)

Intervention field 020.Large-scale IT systems - Entry-exit System (EES) 0

Intervention field 021.Large-scale IT systems - European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) - others 0

Intervention field 022.Large-scale IT systems - European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Article 85(2) of Regulation (EU)

2018/1240

1,161,885.65

Intervention field 023.Large-scale IT systems - European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Article 85(3) of Regulation (EU)

2018/1240

0.00

Intervention field 024.Large-scale IT systems - Schengen Information System (SIS) 1,841,898.42

Intervention field 025.Large-scale IT systems - Interoperability 3,015,000.00

3,997,129.25

Intervention field 026.Operating support - Integrated border management 6,107,260.70

Intervention field 027.Operating support - Large-scale IT systems for border management purposes 1,858,683.75

Intervention field 029.Data quality and data subjects’ rights to information, access to, rectification and erasure of,their personal data, and to the restriction of

the processing thereof

0.00

EN 19 EN

2.1. Specific objective: 2. Common visa policy

2.1.1. Description of the specific objective

In Estonia the implementation of the EU visa policy is mainly a responsibility of the PBGB and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The EU visa policy makes it easier to travel to the European Union. At the same time, EU visa policy mitigates security risks and the risks associated with irregular migration to the EU. In an area without internal borders, strong and efficient checks on persons entering the EU are needed to detect anyone who may pose a security risk. To ensure that such persons do not pass the EU’s borders unnoticed, decision

makers need to have the right information at the right time to do their job of protecting EU citizens.

At the same time, visa application process must be efficient, client friendly and security measures must comply with data proection requirements.

To ensure harmonized approach with regard to the issuance of visas and to facilitate legitimate travel and, while helping prevent migratory and security risks, Estonia has decided to implement following measures funded from BMVI:

 Setting up, operating and maintaining large-scale IT systems pursuant to Union law in the

area of the common policy on visas, in particular the Visa Information System (VIS)

including the interoperability of these large-scale IT systems and their communica tion

infrastructure, and actions to enhance data quality and the provision of informatio n

To ensure that sufficient security information is available about persons travelling to the EU with a visa, the Visa Information System (VIS) needs an upgrade. Estonia joined VIS in 2011 and introduced the system in all of the foreign representations where visas are issued. VIS Mail, VIS Mail 2, VISA Code Plus

and further development of the visa consultation system have been rolled out over time.

State budget, ERDF and ISFB funding was and is used to implement VIS. The specialized VIS developing team in the Development and IT Centre of the Ministry of the Interior is consistently making smaller

adjustments to the system. The upgraded system needs to be fully interoperable with other EU information systems. Estonia has decided to finance next generation VIS and its interfaces with other EU large-scale

IT systems under BMVI as a priority.

To ensure reliable verification and identification of visa applicants, it is necessary to process biometric data in the VIS. ISFB funds were used for upgrading workplaces in the consular offices; computers and fingerprint scanners were purchased. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acquired and installed 45

Dermalog LF10 scanners for capturing biometric data (10 fingerprints) financed from the state budget. BMVI will be used for renewal of fingerprint scanners and facial recognition equipment.

 providing efficient and client-friendly services to visa applicants while maintaining the

security and integrity of the visa procedure, and fully respecting the human dignity and the

integrity of the applicant or of the visa holder in accordance with Article 7(2) of Regulation

(EC) No 767/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 concerning

the Visa Information System (VIS) and the exchange of data between Member States on

short-stay visas

 ensuring the uniform application of the Union acquis on visas, including the further

development and modernisation of the common policy on visas and

 supporting Member States in issuing visas, including visas with limited territorial validity as

referred to in Article 25 of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 on humanitarian grounds, for

reasons of national interest or because of international obligations

The MFA and the Estonian Internal Security Service have assessed that the representations of Estonia comply with security requirements and the environment is client-friendly. All investments regarding the

infrastructure that might be needed in the future, will be funded from the state budget.

EN 20 EN

All round the world, there are 19 Estonian representations processing Schengen visas. Estonia represents 5 Member States (Netherlands, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden and Denmark) in processing Schengen visas in five countries.

61 employees in Estonian MFA are currently dealing with visa questions (32 consuls, 4 expat technica l staff and 25 local technical staff). In 2020 25 555 Schengen visa applications were processed of which 24 970 visas were issued in the foreign representations of Estonia. In 2019 the respective numbers were 145 711 and 143 582. The decrease was stemmed from COVID-19 pandemic. Should the environment

change for the better, and free travel is possible again, there is a high possibility that numbers will grow.

Officials dealing with visa processing are trained regularly to ensure harmonized application of the Visa Code, the VIS Regulation, falsified documents etc. Trainings and internship missions were partially

funded by the ISFB and this will be continued under BMVI.

In addition to training, new technological solutions should be created and used.

The European Commission initiated the transition to a digital visa procedure based on a proposal made by the Estonian Presidency. An analysis report was prepared in 2019 and a working group on digitiza t ion

was convened. Eu-LISA and DG HOME worked on the project to develop and test a prototype of the EU online visa application portal. The prototype of the e-application environment was introduced in 2021. EE will implement the EU visa online application platform after its completion.

 developing different forms of cooperation between Member States in visa processing

The exchange of best practices and experts, including the secondment of experts, as well as boosting the capacity of European networks to assess, promote, support and further develop Union policies and objectives is important.

Since the beginning of 2021, Estonia is represented by 18 Schengen Member States (Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherland, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland), in 105 countries (112 locations).

Since 2011 Estonia has signed co-operation contracts with an external service provider in 16 countries. Under current contracts, 170 visa venters provide services in Australia, Belarus, China, Canada, Egypt, Georgia, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, UK, Ukraine and in US.

Starting from 10 March 2022 Russian and Belarusian citizens can apply for visa only in exceptional cases: wishing to visit family members in Estonia, as well as on humanitarian grounds, e.g., serious illness or funeral of a close relative.

Estonia sees BMVI funding useful for enhancing consular co-operation between Member States. Study

visits to embassies of the Member States representing Estonia in a third country could be organized. The Visa Code foresees the obligation to monitor external service providers. Visa centers audits performed in cooperation with other Member States could be financed. This form of cooperation is already in practice

(for example in Austria and Germany, Germany, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were planning to audit the visa center in Istanbul at the end of April 2020, but due to Covid pandemic it was postponed) and could be further pursued.

Indicative list of actions:

 VIS related developments (priority)

 Development of digital visa and online application in cooperation with the Commission

 Acquisition of biometric data equipment

 Consular staff trainings and internships

 External service providers audits

 Measures to ensure follow up of future Schengen recommendations insofar as the deficiencies

identified and the action plan concerned identifies operational measures to remedy them that

require funding

_____________________

EN 21 EN

Operating support and financial instruments will not be used for visa objective.

Results: All the Estonian representations are well equipped, visa officers are trained and provide harmonized client friendly service in line with visa code. Visa application process is efficient and secure. Border crossing for bona fide travelers is smooth and security risks and the risks associated with irregular

migration to the EU are mitigated. Developments in digital visas and e-applications are accessible to people with special needs. Web-solutions comply with WCAG 2.0 requirements. When using the VIS, each competent authority shall ensure that it does not discriminate applicants and visa holders on grounds of

sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation and fully respects the human dignity of the applicant or visa holder.

EN 22 EN

2.1. Specific objective 2. Common visa policy

2.1.2. Indicators

Reference: point (e) of Article 22(4) CPR

Table 1: Output indicators

ID Indicator Measurement unit Milestone (2024) Target (2029)

O.2.1 Number of projects supporting the digitalisation of visa processing number 2 3

O.2.2 Number of participants supported number 80 90

O.2.2.1 of which number of participants in training activities number 60 70

O.2.3 Number of staff deployed to consulates in third countries number 0 0

O.2.3.1 of which number of staff deployed for visa processing number 0 0

O.2.4 Number of IT functionalities developed / maintained / upgraded number 1 2

O.2.5 Number of large-scale IT systems developed / maintained / upgraded number 0 1

O.2.5.1 of which number of large-scale IT systems developed number 0 1

O.2.6 Number of infrastructure maintained / repaired number 0 0

O.2.7 Number of real estates rented / depreciated number 0 0

EN 23 EN

2.1. Specific objective 2. Common visa policy

2.1.2. Indicators

Reference: point (e) of Article 22(4) CPR

Table 2: Result indicators

ID Indicator Measurement

unit Baseline

Measurement

unit for baseline

Reference

year(s) Target (2029)

Measurement

unit for target Source of data Comments

R.2.8 Number of new / upgraded

consulates outside the

Schengen area

number 0 number 2021-2027 20 number project reports all consulates

will be equipped

with new

fingerprint

scanners

R.2.8.1 of which number of

consulates upgraded to

enhance client-friendliness

for Visa applicants

number 0 number 2021-2027 20 number project reports all consulates

will be equipped

with fingerprint

scanners

R.2.9 Number of addressed

recommendations from

Schengen Evaluations in

the area of the common

visa policy

number 0 number 2021-2027 100 percentage project reports,

scheval

recommendation

s and

vulnerability

assessments

recommendation

s will be tackled

mostly with

national budget

R.2.10 Number of visa

applications using digital

means

number 0 share 2021-2027 976,292 number VIS

R.2.11 Number of initiated /

improved forms of

cooperation set up among

Member States in visa

processing

number 0 number 2021-2027 7 number project reports

R.2.12 Number of participants

who report three months

after the training activity

that they are using the

skills and competences

acquired during the

training

number 0 share 2021-2027 70 number Project reports,

participant

feedback sheets

EN 24 EN

2.1. Specific objective 2. Common visa policy

2.1.3. Indicative breakdown of the programme resources (EU) by type of intervention

Reference: Article 22(5) CPR; and Article 16(12) AMIF Regulation, Article 13(12) ISF Regulation or Article 13(18) BMVI Regulation

Table 3: Indicative breakdown

Type of

intervention

Code Indicative amount

(Euro)

Intervention field 001.Improving visa application processing 562,500.00

Intervention field 002.Enhancing the efficiency, client-friendly environment and security at consulates 352,500.00

Intervention field 003.Document security / document advisors 0.00

Intervention field 004.Consular cooperation 97,500.00

Intervention field 005.Consular coverage 0.00

Intervention field 006.Large-scale IT systems - Visa Information System (VIS) 112,500.00

Intervention field 007.Other ICT systems for visa application processing purposes 375,000.00

Intervention field 008.Operating support - Common visa policy 0.00

Intervention field 009.Operating support - Large-scale IT systems for visa application processing purposes 0.00

Intervention field 011.Issuance of visas with limited territorial validity 0.00

Intervention field 012.Data quality and data subjects’ rights to information, access to, rectification and erasure of, their personal data, and to the restriction of

the processing thereof

0.00

EN 25 EN

2.2. Technical assistance: TA.36(5). Technical assistance - flat rate (Art. 36(5) CPR)

Reference: point (f) of Article 22(3), Article 36(5), Article 37, and Article 95 CPR

2.2.1. Description

Technical assistance is the precondition that sufficient means and resources are available to achieve the objectives and indicators set in the BMVI programme.

TA is used for

 Preparation, implementation, monitoring and control

 Capacity building

 Evaluation and studies, data collection

 Information and communication

Preparation, implementation, monitoring and control

TA is used by the competent officials of Responsible Authority (RA) and Audit Authority (AA). In the Ministry of the Interior there are approximately 10 RA officials responsible for implementation of HOME funds and 2 AA auditors. The TA is used for the RA and AA personnel costs, training, participation in workshops and meetings, etc.

Capacity building

Consultation and sharing of best practices are key factors in successful implementation so that applicants and beneficiaries have the ability to prepare and implement projects. Therefore, the RA also ensures continuous training, counseling and guidance of applicants and beneficiaries funded by the TA.

To reduce the burden on applicants and beneficiaries, the TA is used for novel IT solutions of application, reporting and reimbursement. The SFOS information system will be introduced to simplify the technica l procedures, reduce the workload of applicants, beneficiaries and administration, and thus contribute more

to substantive activities. The principle of single entry is used as far as possible for electronic applications. In addition, the information system enables the RA to monitor the achievement of results, the progress of commitments and disbursements, the volumes and results of audits, administrative, financial and on-the-

spot controls, irregularities and recoveries.

Evaluation and studies, data collection

It is important to ensure that objectives are met in time and resources are used efficiently. Therefore two evaluations are foreseen: the mid-term evaluation in 2024 and final evaluation in 2030. If needed, resources

could be used for studies and data collection.

Information and communication

The TA is also used for communication and publication activities (see p 7.)

EN 26 EN

2.2. Technical assistance TA.36(5). Technical assistance - flat rate (Art. 36(5) CPR)

2.2.2. Indicative breakdown of technical assistance pursuant to Article 37 CPR

Table 4: Indicative breakdown

Type of intervention Code Indicative amount (Euro)

Intervention field 001.Information and communication 44,730.98

Intervention field 002.Preparation, implementation, monitoring and control 2,035,259.71

Intervention field 003.Evaluation and studies, data collection 67,096.47

Intervention field 004.Capacity building 89,461.97

EN 27 EN

3. Financing plan

Reference: point (g) Article 22(3) CPR

3.1. Financial appropriations by year

Table 5: Financial appropriations per year

Allocation type 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Total

Initial allocation 0.00 5,269,705.00 6,402,733.00 6,905,464.00 5,346,817.00 4,425,874.00 4,486,181.00 32,836,774.00

Mid-term review

Thematic facility WPI 0 3,183,899.09 2,378,964.01 0 0 0 0 5,562,863.10

Thematic facility WPII

Thematic facility WPIII

T ransfer (in) 296,393.00 359,627.00 306,733.00 149,978.00 1,112,731.00

Transfer (out)

Total 0.00 8,453,604.09 8,781,697.01 7,265,091.00 5,653,550.00 4,575,852.00 4,486,181.00 39,512,368.10

EN 28 EN

3.2. Total financial allocations

Table 6: Total financial allocations by fund and national contribution

Specific objective (SO) Type of action

Basis for calculation Union support (total

or public)

Union contribution (a)

National contribution (b)=(c)+(d)

Indicative breakdown of national contribution

Total (e)=(a)+(b) Co-financing rate

(f)=(a)/(e)

Public (c) Private (d)

European integrated border management Regular actions Total 17,785,004.81 5,928,334.94 5,928,334.94 0.00 23,713,339.74 75.0000000104%

European integrated border management Annex IV actions Total 3,615,000.00 1,205,000.00 1,205,000.00 0.00 4,820,000.00 75.0000000000%

European integrated border management Operating support Total 7,965,944.45 2,655,314.82 2,655,314.82 0.00 10,621,259.27 75.0000000000%

European integrated border management ETIAS regulation Art. 85(2)

Total 1,161,885.65 387,295.22 387,295.22 0.00 1,549,180.87 74.9999998386%

European integrated border management ETIAS regulation Art. 85(3)

Total

European integrated border management Specific action Total 5,247,984.06 583,109.34 583,109.34 0 5,831,093.40 90%

Total European integrated border management

35,775,818.97 10,759,054.31 10,759,054.31 0.00 46,534,873.28

Common visa policy Regular actions Total 1,500,000.00 500,000.00 500,000.00 0.00 2,000,000.00 75.0000000000%

Common visa policy Annex IV actions Total 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Common visa policy Operating support Total

Total Common visa policy 1,500,000.00 500,000.00 500,000.00 0.00 2,000,000.00 75.0000000000%

Technical assistance - flat rate (Art. 36(5) CPR)

2,236,549.13 0 0 0 2,236,549.13 100.0000000000%

Grand total 39,512,368.10 11,259,054.32 11,259,054.32 0.00 50,771,422.42 %

EN 29 EN

3.3. Transfers

Table 7: Transfers between shared management funds1

Transferring fund Receiving fund

AMIF ISF ERDF ESF+ CF EMFAF Total

BMVI

1Cumulative amounts for all transfers during programming period.

EN 30 EN

Table 8: Transfers to instruments under direct or indirect management1

Instrument Transfer Amount

1Cumulative amounts for all transfers during programming period.

EN 31 EN

4. Enabling conditions

Reference: point (i) of Article 22(3) CPR

Table 9: Horizontal enabling conditions

Enabling

condition

Fulfilment of

enabling

condition

Criteria Fulfilment of

criteria Reference to relevant documents Justification

1. Effective

monitoring

mechanisms of

the public

procurement

market

Yes Monitoring mechanisms are in place that

cover all public contracts and their

procurement under the Funds in line with

Union procurement legislation. That

requirement includes:

1. Arrangements to ensure compilation of

effective and reliable data on public

procurement procedures above the Union

thresholds in accordance with reporting

obligations under Articles 83 and 84 of

Directive 2014/24/EU and Articles 99 and

100 of Directive 2014/25/EU.

Yes Public Procurement Register-

https://riigihanked.riik.ee;

Public Procurement Act-

www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/ee/50509201700

3/consolide/current;

Competition Act-

www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/ee51706202100

3/consolide/current;

Information from the MoF-

www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/eesmargi

dtegevused/riigihangete-poliitika/kasulik-

teave/riigihankemaastiku-kokkuvotted;

www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/eesmargi

dtegevused/riigihangete-

poliitika/kontaktid)

Public contracts above the national

threshold and procurement under EU

procurement law are published and

executed on the central e-procurement

portal “Public Procurement Register”

managed by the Ministry of Finance (MoF)

in accordance with Reg (EU) 2015/1986.

MoF is responsible for monitoring,

reporting and consulting pursuant to Art 83

and 84 of EU 2014/24 and Art 99 and 100

of EU 2014/25. Monitoring and reporting

are based on data retrieved from the

Central Public Procurement Register.

2. Arrangements to ensure the data cover at

least the following elements:

a. Quality and intensity of competition:

names of winning bidder, number of initial

bidders and contractual value;

b. Information on final price after

completion and on participation of SMEs

as direct bidders, where national systems

provide such information.

Yes Public Procurement Register (PPR)-

https://riigihanked.riik.ee;

Public Procurement and State Aid

Department of the MoF:

https://www.rahandusministeerium.ee/sites

/default/files/rmv_traamat_unit_files/riigih

angete_ja_riigiabi_osakond_0.pdf;

Reports, data-

www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/eesmargi

dtegevused/riigihangete-

poliitika/jarelevalve;

a. the names of the successful tenderers,

the indicative number of tenderers and the

contract value shall be published in the

public procurement register in the form of

a contract award notice in accordance with

Commission Reg EU 2015/1986.

b. After complition of procurement, the

contracting authority will publish the

contract-specific information on the final

price in the public procurement register.

Information on the participation of SMEs

EN 32 EN

Enabling

condition

Fulfilment of

enabling

condition

Criteria Fulfilment of

criteria Reference to relevant documents Justification

www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/eesmargi

dtegevused/riigihangete-poliitika/kasulik-

teave/riigihankemaastiku-kokkuvotted.

as direct tenderers is published in the

scheme award notice – 100 % of e-

procurement is carried out in a central

procurement register.

3. Arrangements to ensure monitoring and

analysis of the data by the competent

national authorities in accordance with

article 83 (2) of directive 2014/24/EU and

article 99 (2) of directive 2014/25/EU.

Yes

Public Procurement and State Aid

Department of the MoF:

https://www.rahandusministeerium.ee/sites

/default/files/rmv_traamat_unit_files/riigih

angete_ja_riigiabi_osakond_0.pdf;

Reports, data-

www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/eesmargi

dtegevused/riigihangete-

poliitika/jarelevalve;

www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/eesmargi

dtegevused/riigihangete-poliitika/kasulik-

teave/riigihankemaastiku-kokkuvotted.

3. The authority responsible for state

supervison (monitoring) and analysis is the

Ministry of Finance. Monitoring

obligations are laid down in the Public

Procurement Act. 4 people and one person

are responsible for the overall analysis of

public procurement data.

4. Arrangements to make the results of the

analysis available to the public in

accordance with article 83 (3) of directive

2014/24/EU and article 99 (3) directive

2014/25/EU.

Yes Public Procurement Register (PPR)-

https://riigihanked.riik.ee;

Public Procurement and State Aid

Department of the MoF:

https://www.rahandusministeerium.ee/sites

/default/files/rmv_traamat_unit_files/riigih

angete_ja_riigiabi_osakond_0.pdf;

Reports, data-

www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/eesmargi

dtegevused/riigihangete-

poliitika/jarelevalve;

www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/eesmargi

4. According to the Public Procurement

Act § 180 p 7 Ministry of Finance submits

once a year to the Government of the

Republic an overview of the public

procurement policymaking, advisory and

training activities, state supervision and the

activities of the public procurement

register. The yearly overview is published

at website of Ministry of Finance

(https://www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/e

esmargidtegevused/riigihangete-

poliitika/kasulik-teave/riigihankemaastiku-

kokkuvotted).

EN 33 EN

Enabling

condition

Fulfilment of

enabling

condition

Criteria Fulfilment of

criteria Reference to relevant documents Justification

dtegevused/riigihangete-poliitika/kasulik-

teave/riigihankemaastiku-kokkuvotted.

5. Arrangements to ensure that all

information pointing to suspected bid-

rigging situations is communicated to the

competent national bodies in accordance

with Article 83(2) of Directive

2014/24/EU and Article 99(2) of Directive

2014/25/EU.

Yes Public Procurement Register (PPR)-

https://riigihanked.riik.ee;

Public Procurement and State Aid

Department of the MoF:

https://www.rahandusministeerium.ee/sites

/default/files/rmv_traamat_unit_files /riigih

angete_ja_riigiabi_osakond_0.pdf;

Reports, data-

www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/eesmargi

dtegevused/riigihangete-

poliitika/jarelevalve;

www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/eesmargi

dtegevused/riigihangete-poliitika/kasulik-

teave/riigihankemaastiku-kokkuvotted.

According to PPA in case of a suspicion of

an offence which has the characteristics of

a possible case of corruption, the Ministry

of Finance shall inform the investigating

authority or the public prosecutor’s office.

The Competition Authority is also an

investigating authority and administeres

supervision over implementation of

Competition Act 54, it has to be informed

about any offences of the competition

regulation.

MOF webpage indicates that in case of

doubt of possible anti-competitive co-

operation, the Competition Authority has

to be informed

3. Effective

application and

implementation of

the Charter of

Fundamental

Rights

Yes Effective mechanisms are in place to

ensure compliance with the Charter of

Fundamental Rights of the European

Union ('the Charter') which include:

1. Arrangements to ensure compliance of

the programmes supported by the Funds

and their implementation with the relevant

provisions of the Charter.

Yes Constitution-

www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/530122020003/c

onsole;

Act on the Implementation of ESI and

HOME Funds 2021-2027 (ÜSS) ,

www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/11102022001;

UN, Common Basic Document as part of

the State Parties’ Reports – Estonia

https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/tre

atybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno

=HRI%2fCORE%2fEST%2f2015&Lang=

en;

Gender Equality Act

-www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/507032022002;

Equal Treatment Act-

www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/530102013066;

To ensure consistency with the Charter

Estonia has a mechanism established

through national law and international

agreements. Among others Section I of the

Charter (dignity, § 1-5) in the Constitution

§ 10, 17, 18, 20, 29. Section II (freedoms,

§ 6-19) Constitution § 20, 26, 27, 29, 31,

32, 36-38, 40, 41, 43, 47, the Personal Data

Protection Act and the Act on Granting

International Protection to Aliens. Section

III (equality, § 20-26) § 12 and 28 of the

Constitution, the Equal Treatment Act, the

Gender Equality Act. Title IV (solidarity, §

27-38), § 27-29 of the Constitution,

Employment Contracts Act. Title V

(citizens' rights, § 39-46), § 3, 12, 34, 44,

46 of the Constitution, Administrative

Procedure Act. According to § 7 (3) of the

EN 34 EN

Enabling

condition

Fulfilment of

enabling

condition

Criteria Fulfilment of

criteria Reference to relevant documents Justification

Chancellor of Justice-

www.oiguskantsler.ee/en

ÜSS, each Implementing Body centrally

coordinates and monitors in its field how

the support enables to maintain the base

principles of the strategy "Estonia 2035"

(including the values of the Charter) and

contributing to the achievement of goals.

The requirement of compliance with the

Charter is foreseen in the horizontal project

selection criteria. MA provides trainings

on fundamental rights.

2. Reporting arrangements to the

monitoring committee regarding cases of

non-compliance of operations supported by

the Funds with the Charter and complaints

regarding the Charter submitted in

accordance with the arrangements made

pursuant to Article 69(7).

Yes Constitution-

www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/530122020003/c

onsole;

Act on the Implementation of ESI and

HOME Funds 2021-2027,

www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/11102022001;

UN, Common Basic Document as part of

the State Parties’ Reports – Estonia

https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/tre

atybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno

=HRI%2fCORE%2fEST%2f2015&Lang=

en;

Gender Equality Act

-www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/507032022002;

Equal Treatment Act-

www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/530102013066;

Chancellor of Justice-

www.oiguskantsler.ee/en

The monitoring committee includes

partners who monitor the implementation

of the Charter and whose task is to present

the consolidated vision and, if necessary,

problems in their field to the monitoring

committee (e.g. the Commissioner for

Gender Equality and Equal Treatment, the

Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, the

Estonian Human Rights Centre). Upon

request of the partner overseeing the

implementation of the Charter, discussion

point is added to the agenda. In accordance

with the working procedures of the

monitoring committee, which are approved

at the first meeting, the representative of

the Chancellor of Justice gives, if

necessary, an overview of complaints

submitted to him/her where the activities

supported by the funds did not comply

with the Charter or the UN Convention on

the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Secretariat of the Monitoring

Committee makes a request to the

Chancellor of Justice before the meeting

and, in the case, there are complaints, the

discussion point is added to the agenda.

The monitoring committee has an e-mail

address through which all members of the

EN 35 EN

Enabling

condition

Fulfilment of

enabling

condition

Criteria Fulfilment of

criteria Reference to relevant documents Justification

monitoring committee can open a

discussion or propose agenda points.

4. Implementation

and application of

the United

Nations

Convention on the

rights of persons

with disabilities

(UNCRPD) in

accordance with

Council Decision

2010/48/EC

Yes A national framework to ensure

implementation of the UNCRPD is in

place that includes:

1. Objectives with measurable goals, data

collection and monitoring mechanisms.

Yes www.sm.ee/et/heaolu-arengukava-2016-

2023

www.sm.ee/et/ligipaasetavuse-noukogu

www.riigikantselei.ee/lig ipaasetavus

www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/12788991?leiaKeh

tiv

www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/131052018055

www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/103072015034?lei

aKehtiv

www.mkm.ee/et/wcag-20-rakendusjuhised

www.sm.ee/sites/default/files/lisa_5_sotsia

alkindlustuse_programm.pdf

www.sm.ee/sites/default/files/lisa_4_hoole

kandeprogramm_2020_2023.pdf

www.sm.ee/sites/default/files/lisa_6_soolis

e_vordoiguslikkuse_programm.pdf

Welfare Development Plan sets policy to

protect the rights of persons with

disabilities and describes challenges and

indicators. The Social Security Programme

provides solutions to modernise disability

benefits and services system. The Care

Programme focuses on improving access

to and quality of social services,

developing services that involve people in

society and protecting fundamental rights.

Statistics on the situation of persons with

disabilities are collected by Statistics

Estonia. The Ministry of Social Affairs

publishes regular statistics and carries out

studies.

2. Arrangements to ensure that

accessibility policy, legislation and

standards are properly reflected in the

preparation and implementation of the

programmes.

Yes www.sm.ee/et/heaolu-arengukava-2016-

2023

www.sm.ee/et/ligipaasetavuse-noukogu

www.riigikantselei.ee/lig ipaasetavus

www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/12788991?leiaKeh

tiv

www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/131052018055

www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/103072015034?lei

aKehtiv

www.mkm.ee/et/wcag-20-rakendusjuhised

www.sm.ee/sites/default/files/lisa_5_sotsia

alkindlustuse_programm.pdf

A comprehensive accessibility policy was

developed in 2019 by Government’s Task

Force on Accessibility. The Ministry of

Social Affairs is the national coordinator

and promoter of accessibility for all

sectors: supporting the work of the

Accessibility Council, commissioning

analyses and studies, coordinating the

transposition of the Accessibility Directive

(EU) 2019/882.The Equality Competence

Centre provides advice and monitors

compliance with requirements of

accessibility and equal opportunities.

EN 36 EN

Enabling

condition

Fulfilment of

enabling

condition

Criteria Fulfilment of

criteria Reference to relevant documents Justification

www.sm.ee/sites/default/files/lisa_4_hoole

kandeprogramm_2020_2023.pdf

www.sm.ee/sites/default/files/lisa_6_soolis

e_vordoiguslikkuse_programm.pdf

3. Reporting arrangements to the

monitoring committee regarding cases of

non-compliance of operations supported by

the Funds with the UNCRPD and

complaints regarding the UNCRPD

submitted in accordance with the

arrangements made pursuant to Article

69(7).

Yes www.sm.ee/et/heaolu-arengukava-2016-

2023

www.sm.ee/et/ligipaasetavuse-noukogu

www.riigikantselei.ee/lig ipaasetavus

www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/12788991?leiaKeh

tiv

www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/131052018055

www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/103072015034?lei

aKehtiv

www.mkm.ee/et/wcag-20-rakendusjuhised

www.sm.ee/sites/default/files/lisa_5_sotsia

alkindlustuse_programm.pdf

www.sm.ee/sites/default/files/lisa_4_hoole

kandeprogramm_2020_2023.pdf

www.sm.ee/sites/default/files/lisa_6_soolis

e_vordoiguslikkuse_programm.pdf

Chancellor of Justice and Disability

Council (DC) promote, protect and

monitor the implementation of the CRPD.

DC works on the basis of Article 33(3) of

the UN CRPD. According to working

procedure which will be adopted in the

first meeting, the representative of the

Chancellor of Justice gives an overview of

complaints of those activities supported by

the BMVI which are not in line with UN

CRPD. Also MC members will be able to

open the debate by e-mail or call for an ad-

hoc meeting should there be a case in

which the activities supported by BMVI do

not comply with the UN Convention on the

Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

EN 37 EN

5. Programme authorities

Reference: point (k) of Article 22(3) and Articles 71 and 84 CPR

Table 10: Programme authorities

Programme Authority Name of the institution Contact

name Position Email

Managing authority Estonian Ministry of the Interior Tarmo

Miilits

Permanent Secretary [email protected]

Audit authority The Internal Audit Department of the Estonian Ministry of the

Interior

Tarmo Olgo Head of the

department

[email protected]

Body which receives payments from the

Commission

Estonian Ministry of the Finance Marge

Kaljas

[email protected]

EN 38 EN

6. Partnership

Reference: point (h) of Article 22(3) CPR

Preparation of the BMVI programme is based on the principle of openness. All relevant stakeholders were given an opportunity to contribute to resolving Estonia's current and future challenges in implementing

external borders and visa policy.

In Estonia all strategic planning of the national needs and their financing is central. There is no separate process (incl. involvement of partners and stakeholders) for programming the EU funds. The planning is source-neutral; the mapping of important strategic goals is done in the process of developing nationa l

strategies.

Planning for the 2021-2027 has been conducted hand in hand with preparing the long-term nationa l umbrella strategy "Estonia 2035" and the “Internal Security Development Plan”. An overview of

compiling the strategies is found on following websites: https://www.riigikantselei.ee/et/Eesti2035 and https://www.siseministeerium.ee/et/STAK2030.

The process started in the spring of 2018. At the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, consultations with

other ministries and umbrella organizations took place. Additionally, discussions were held in all counties. County Security Councils, other institutions related to internal security in the county, interest groups and representatives of civil society organizations, city and rural municipality leaders, and the county

development centers were invited to the discussions. The discussions were summarized and used in the preparation of the “Internal Security Development Plan 2020–2030”.

The development plan was submitted for public consultation through the dedicated web platform. The same system was used to get an approval from all ministries and the Government Office, and an opinion of the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities.

The financing for meeting the goals set in strategies are decided during the annual discussions of nationa l budget, which guarantees synergy with national and other resources and enables to avoid double financ ing.

The implementation of the Internal Security Development Plan is monitored by the sectoral committee which consists of representatives from relevant authorities, intermediate bodies and partners.

There is a common committee to monitor the implementation of the BMVI, ISF and AMIF. This monitoring committee consists of the same parties which are members of the sectoral committees of the

Internal Security Development Plan. In addition, bodies responsible for promoting social inclus ion, fundamental rights, rights of persons with disabilities, gender equality and non-discrimination are

involved.

EN 39 EN

7. Communication and visibility

Reference: point (j) of Article 22(3) CPR

The communication of EU funds aims to ensure target group awareness of EU support through comprehensive, open and relevant communication.

A single website portal providing access to all programmes covered by CPR will be established by the State Shared Service Centre (SSSC). The website portal will be made available in English and Russian as well, since surveys show that the Russian-speaking population is less aware of support measures.

The Ministry of the Interior ensures the continuation of dedicated website for the HOME funds covering the programmes’ objectives, activities, available funding opportunities and achievements. Estonia will ensures transparency on the implementation of the national programme and publishes a list of actions

supported by each programme.

Both the single website portal as well as HOME funds website are designed and constructed to comply with the WCAG 2.0 AA Accessibility Guidelines. This means that certain technical tools and content creation principles have been used to help consumers with visual, hearing, physical, speech, cognit ive,

language, learning, and neurological disabilities use the content of the website.

A Facebook page is used to communicate HOME funds’ open calls for proposals and achievements of projects.

The communication coordinator in the SSSC will lead the national communication network to ensure central visibility, transparency and communication activities. Furthermore, it will hold a yearly nationa l Europe Day in association with the European Commission Representation in Estonia.

A dedicated HOME funds communication officer is appointed within the Ministry of the Interior.

Technical Assistance is used for communication activities.

Indicators:

1. Audio storytelling through five (5) podcasts to rise awareness of the projects financed from the HOME funds during the new period. Podcasts will be part of the regular podcasts published by the Ministry of the Interior.

2. At least four (4) major information activities during the new period to present the achievements for the target audience.

3. At least four (4) digital media content created, including visual content such as illustrations and video materials to introduce the HOME funds in Estonia.

4. New social media channels (Facebook, Youtube) developed for the Home funds in Estonia to reach out to a wider audience. Creating new content and cross-referencing on other similar social media accounts to grow following.

EN 40 EN

8. Use of unit costs, lump sums, flat rates and financing not linked to costs

Reference: Articles 94 and 95 CPR

Intended use of Articles 94 and 95 CPR Yes No

From the adoption, the programme will make use of reimbursement of the Union contribution based on unit costs,

lump sums and flat rates under the priority according to Article 94 CPR

From the adoption, the programme will make use of reimbursement of the Union contribution based on financing

not linked to costs according to Article 95 CPR

EN 41 EN

Appendix 1: Union contribution based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates

A. Summary of the main elements

Specific objective

Estimated proportion of the total financial allocation

within the specific objective to which the SCO will be

applied in %

Type(s) of operation covered Indicator triggering reimbursement (2) Unit of measurement for the

indicator triggering reimbursement

Type of SCO (standard scale of unit costs, lump sums or

flat rates)

Amount (in EUR) or percentage (in case of flat

rates) of the SCO Code(1) Description Code(2) Description

(1) This refers to the code in Annex VI of the AMIF, BMVI and ISF Regulations

(2) This refers to the code of a common indicator, if applicable

EN 42 EN

Appendix 1: Union contribution based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates

B. Details by type of operation

EN 43 EN

C. Calculation of the standard scale of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates

1. Source of data used to calculate the standard scale of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates (who produced, collected and recorded the data, where the data is stored, cut-off dates, validation, etc.)

EN 44 EN

2. Please specify why the proposed method and calculation based on Article 94(2) CPR is relevant to the type of operation.

EN 45 EN

3. Please specify how the calculations were made, in particular including any assumptions made in terms of quality or quantities. Where relevant, statistical evidence and benchmarks should be used and, if

requested, provided in a format that is usable by the Commission.

EN 46 EN

4. Please explain how you have ensured that only eligible expenditure was included in the calculation of the standard scale of unit cost, lump sum or flat rate.

EN 47 EN

5. Assessment of the audit authority(ies) of the calculation methodology and amounts and the arrangements to ensure the verification, quality, collection and storage of data.

EN 48 EN

Appendix 2: Union contribution based on financing not linked to costs

A. Summary of the main elements

Specific objective The amount covered by the financing not linked to costs

Type(s) of operation covered

Conditions to be fulfilled/results to be achieved triggering

reimbusresment by the Commission

Indicators Unit of measurement for the conditions to be

fulfilled/results to be achieved triggering

reimbursement by the Commission

Envisaged type of reimbursement method used to reimburse the

beneficiary (ies) Code(1) Description Code(2) Description

(1) Refers to the code in Annex VI of the AMIF, BMVI and ISF Regulations.

(2) Refers to the code of a common indicator, if applicable.

EN 49 EN

B. Details by type of operation

EN 50 EN

Appendix 3: Thematic Facility

Specific objective

Type EU contribution Description

SO1 Specific

Action

5,247,984.06 BMVI/2021-2022/SA/1.2.1/003 “Establishment of mobile autonomous remote surveillance capability”. The aim of the project is to get a better situational picture from the European Union external border sections, where it is not economically reasonable to build permanent infrastructure. Police and Border Guard Board procures 4 innovative sets of mobile remote monitoring systems, tests and adapts them to guard the border in terrain of varying complexity. The results of the project will be shared with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and other member states.

BMVI/2022/SA/1.5.7/003 – BMVI/2022/SA/1.5.7/007 – “iSPoC + analysis”. The objective of this specific action is to secure an effective implementation of the provisions of the Schengen Information System (SIS) Regulations and implementing acts. The scope of this project is SIRENE bureau business processes analysis and system analysis of the application. As a result of the project, SIRENE bureau processes are analyzed and documented. The possibilities for automation of business processes will be mapped, therefore the analysis serves as a base document for further development of the system.

BMVI/2021/SA/1.5.4/008 – “Support to comply with the implementation of the relevant interoperability legal framework” under BMVI. The objective of this Specific Action is to support Schengen countries to comply with the implementation of the interoperability legal framework. The action has two aspects: 1) preparing the end- users of EU IT system for handling properly the information on identities contained in other systems as a result of interoperability and 2) extending the capacity of the SIRENE offices to resolve yellow links during the period that makes the Multiple Identity Detector (MID) operational. ESTONIA implements both aspects.

BMVI/2023-2024/SA/1.2.2/01 – Specific Action “Enhancement of Land Border Patrolling Capacity” aims to increase Frontex operational capacity and the EE

EN 51 EN

operational capacity to implement its obligations with regard to the overall protection of the EU external borders, through the purchase of equipment – to be put at the Agency’s disposal – under the following categories:

2. land-based means of transport and surveillance capacities

- 20 Patrol cars

Tehnical Assistance

314,879.04

DOCUMENTS

Document title Document type Document date

Local reference Commission reference Files Sent date Sent by

HEC_EE_long_05.07.2022_eng Supplementary Information

27-Jul-2022 Ares(2022)5397414 HEC_EE_long_05.07.2022_eng 27-Jul-2022 Kuivonen, Aivi

Programme snapshot 2021EE65BVPR001 1.1

Snapshot of data before send

27-Jul-2022 Ares(2022)5397414 Programme_snapshot_2021EE65BVPR001_1.1_en.pdf HEC EE long_EN_05.07.2022.docx

27-Jul-2022 Kuivonen, Aivi

Summary of the proposed amendment

Estonia proposes non-substantial amendment of the BMVI programme:

1) with editorial nature – small textual improvements agreed to be included with the first amendment,

2) with non-substantial transfers within the specific objective 1,

3) with inclusion of 4 specific actions selected by the Commission in the years of 2022-2023.

Justification:

Estonian government approved National BMVI programme on 21 April 2022. After that Estonia applied for support for two specific actions and

the results were not published during the time of negotiations with European Commission. Estonian Government’s approval is a pre-requisite

for submission of amendment of the programme to the EC. Due to cumbersome and time-consuming procedures which come along with

programme amendments in the Estonian government it was agreed that textual improvements will be made at the same time when Estonia

submits the programme amendment stemming from inclusion of specific actions to the programme. The results for the specific action to acquire

Frontex equipment were published on 19 June 2023.

Non-substantial transfer within the specific objective 1 is made to align financial tables and approved budgets of national projects. Initial actions

were budgeted without personnel costs. With the amendment project management costs have been added to actions. Indicators are not changed

because of non-substantial transfer.

EC has selected four BMVI specific actions for funding, which will be included to the national BMVI programme and implemented under

shared management. Some indicators are increased due to additional actions (please see point 3 below).

Proposed amendments help to achieve the objective 1 of the regulation (EU) 2021/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

The programme with tracked changes is enclosed to amendment documents to enable transparent procedure.

1) Textual improvements:

Commission’s observations Member State reply to

Commission’s

observation

Comments / EE comments sent on

19.07.2022

EE comments

sent together

with the

Follow up1 15.07.2022 programme

amendment

proposal

1 Please include a

confirmation in the

programme that you will

ensure consistency between

BMVI investments and the

EBCG capability

development planning, in

particular the national

capability development plan

(Article 9(4) EBCG

Regulation) and the future

capability roadmap (Article

9(8) EBCG Regulation).

We assure that all actions

planned to finance from the

BMVI are in line with

national and EU

legislation, strategies as

well as development plans.

The monitoring Committee

of the BMVI will monitor

that the consistency

between the BMVI

investments and

development planning, in

particular the national

capability development

plan (Article 9(4) EBCG

Regulation) and the future

capability roadmap (Article

9(8) EBCG Regulation), is

ensured.

The Estonian authorities

should add a sentence

confirming the approach in

the programme, as done by

all other Member States.

Most other Member States

include this statement /

confirmation in section 1,

as this is a matter of the

relevant policy

departments. If according to

the Estonian authorities,

this is a point for the

monitoring committee, they

should mention this aspect

of the role of the

monitoring committee in

section 6.

Other Member States have

included a sentence for

instance as follows:

X’s future national

capability development

The confirmation is in

more broader wording in

the section 1. The

wording was given by the

COM during the informal

consultations:

Section 1 “The actions

contribute to latest

requirements set out in

the EBCG 2.0 Regulation,

the improvement of

information exchange,

ensuring control of the

external border in

accordance with the

common standards of the

EU and uniform

application of the EU

acquis. Priority is given

to the measures that

support either

maintaining or expanding

the national capability to

manage external borders

The sentence

“National

capability

development plan

is be based on the

strategic

priorities in the

national IBM

strategy and other

relevant

strategies and

programmes in

the field of border

management. The

development of

national border

management

capabilities will

among other

things be carried

out in the

framework of the

EBCG capability

development

planning in

accordance with

1 Please specify whether the programme’s adjustment is considered fully satisfactory with respect to the respective observation and or whether follow-up actions are considered/needed in the future (e.g. in the context of programme’s amendments).

plan will be based on the

strategic priorities in the

national IBM strategy and

other relevant strategies

and programmes in the

field of border

management. The

development of national

border management

capabilities will among

other things be carried out

in the framework of the

EBCG capability

development planning in

accordance with the EBCG

Regulation.”

as well as contribute to

solidarity.” /…/

“IBM is a part of the

Enhanced Border

Security Program of the

ISDP and is developed to

fulfil the national

obligation stipulated in

the Regulation (EU)

2019/1896 on the

European Border and

Coast Guard. The IBM

Strategy is accompanied

with a specific action

plan. The IBM Strategy

and Action Plan are

living documents, which

are updated when

necessary and brought in

line with the respective

European and Frontex

strategies.”

In the future, when we

go to the government to

amend the programme

because of the IO SA,

we will add the extra

sentence “future national

capability development

the EBCG

Regulation” has

been included in

the narrative part

(page 5 in tracked

version, page 5 in

clean version).

plan will be based on the

strategic priorities in the

national IBM strategy

and other relevant

strategies and

programmes in the field

of border management.

The development of

national border

management capabilities

will among other things

be carried out in the

framework of the EBCG

capability development

planning in accordance

with the EBCG

Regulation” under the

SO1.

4 The programme refers to

current Schengen

recommendations in the

area of visa policy. The

Commission services invite

you to include a statement

in the programme that you

may use the BMVI to give

priority for any follow up

on future Schengen

evaluations and

vulnerability assessments

by the EBCG Agency, in

case the measures to

Regarding the follow up of

future Schengen

evaluations and

vulnerability assessment,

the programme says that

those are delt with due

care, however, will be

mostly financed from the

national budget (please see

the last sentence in section

1 “The possible future

recommendations of the

Schengen evaluation and

Vulnerability assessment

It is unclear what the

Estonian authorities mean

when they indicate

“mostly” and what is meant

with this statement about

dealt with due care.

DG HOME is concerned in

general by the follow up of

Schengen

recommendations. For this

reason, we have

consistently underlined for

all programmes the

“Dealt with due care”

means that

recommendations will be

taken seriously, and

shortcomings will be

eliminated. Since the

BMVI funds for Estonia

are small and we do not

know yet what kind of

recommendations there

will be, EE chooses to use

national budget to fund

any possible investments

stemming from the

The sentence

“Measures to

ensure follow up

of future

Schengen

recommendations

insofar as the

deficiencies

identified and the

action plan

concerned

identifies

operational

measures to

remedy the situation will

have financial implications.

We recommend that you

identify “measures to

implement Schengen

recommendations” in the

list of indicative actions

under both SO1 and SO2

(in line with request in

point 7 below).

will be dealt with due

care.“ and the comment in

table 2.1.2 of result

indicators R.1.18 and R.2.9

as well as in supplementary

document “Performance

Framework EE BMVI”).

importance of a

commitment from the

Member States to use their

allocation under the EU

budget with priority for a

speedy roll out of any

action plans addressing

future

recommendations. It is in

line with the logic to be

flexible and ensure EU

added value.

The Estonian authorities are

requested to add a clear

general statement in the

paragraph in section 1

under “Schengen

recommendations and

vulnerability assessment”

about their approach to

future recommendations

and include references

under the list of indicative

actions to confirm this

commitment, just like other

MS have done following

our request. Under the lists

in SO 1 and SO2 it could

formulated for instance as

follows: “Measures to

ensure follow up of future

Scheval

evaluations/vulnerability

assessments.

There is a sentence in

section 1 stating that

“Estonian priorities are

measures addressing

outstanding shortcomings

identified in the

Vulnerability

Assessment/Scheval

Evaluation

recommendations.”

In the future, when we

go to the government to

amend the programme

because of the IO SA,

we will add the extra

measure “*Measures to

ensure follow up of future

Schengen

recommendations insofar

as the deficiencies

identified and the action

plan concerned identifies

operational measures to

remedy them that require

funding” under the SO1

and SO2 indicative action

lists

remedy them that

require funding”

included under

the SO1 (page 12

in tracked

version, page 12

in clean version)

and SO2 (page 21

in tracked

version, page 20

in clean version)

indicative action

lists. The

Schengen

evaluation has

been scheduled at

the end of 2023.

So far EE has no

recommendations

pending.

Schengen recommendations

insofar as the deficiencies

identified and the action

plan concerned identifies

operational measures to

remedy them

that require funding”.

6 The Commission services

invite the Estonian

authorities to elaborate

more on the list of

indicative actions, using

examples from Annex III

and indicating more clearly

the type of activity

envisaged for each Specific

Objective.

The programme states that

“…although the BMVI

scope foresees measures

for the most of the issues in

the area of border

management and visa, it is

not feasible to overcome

all the current challenges

solely with the help of the

BMVI funding. This

programme seeks to

address these to the

maximum extent possible

while also leaving a degree

of flexibility to be able to

respond to future events

and changing

priorities/…/The actions to

be financed will depend on

the resources available and

priorities at the time. The

precise actions and the

source of financing will be

The Commission services

reiterate the request to the

Estonian authorities to

include under the indicative

list of action under each of

the Specific Objectives at

least one or two concrete

examples that demonstrate

the connection between the

information the tables 1, 2

and 3 and the narrative part

of each Specific Objective.

This will improve the

clarity of the presentation

of the programme.

Under SO1 it is clear for

measures aimed at the

development of the national

components of the EBCG

(reference to the SNE) but

not under large scale IT

systems. The references for

In the future, when we

go to the government to

amend the programme

because of the IO SA,

we will amend the

narrative part with

some examples.

At this point the concrete

examples are given in the

supplementary document

“Evaluation Monitoring

Framework”. In addition

EE has compiled a

detailed financing plan

listing all investment

objects as well as

indicators, we could share

it with the COM.

1 infrastructure is the

Estonian-Russian border

for which the operating

Concreate

examples have

been included in

the narrative part

of the SO 1.

(pages 9-12 in

tracked version,

pages 9-12 in

clean version)

agreed during the

implementation of the

programme in accordance

with national procedures.”

control and monitoring

equipment could be more

specific. The list could

explain also the reference to

1 facility and infrastructure

in light of the indicators in

table 1.

For these actions, we would

also invite you to provide a

statement that equipment

purchased with the help of

the Instrument will comply

with technical standards set

out by FRONTEX and that

large-scale operating

equipment for border

management will be

registered in the Technical

Equipment Pool and made

available for the Agency’s

deployment, in line with the

requirements of the EBCG

Regulation and Article 13

BMVI Regulation.

Under SO 2 you could in

the list of indicative actions

at least mention the renewal

of fingerprint scanners and

facial recognition

equipment and provide a

support will be used

(repair and maintenance

costs for surveillance

system)

1 facility – small

renovation works,

furniture and computers

for one room in the

border control centre

where the camera pictures

transferred from the EE-

RU border are monitored.

The indicative list of

actions already states the

compliance with FX

standards

“Border surveillance and

control equipment

compliant with Frontex

standards (patrol

vehicles, UAVs, cameras,

etc.), priority will be

given to land border”

EE is in the position that

the obligations stipulated

in the BMVI regulation or

in the CPR should not be

repeated in the

programme, since these

few more indications on the

VIS.

must be followed at any

case.

7 The Commission services

invite the Estonian

authority to provide more

details on the amount

allocated to “border

surveillance –land

equipment” in table 3 (more

than 12 M EUR), as such a

consistent amount does not

seem to be reflected in SO1

description. We invite the

Estonian authority to note

that, in table 3, equipment

at the border crossing points

should not be included

under “surveillance

equipment” but under

“border checks”.

The programming started

already in 2019 and we

agree that within 3 years

the circumstances have

somewhat changed, i.e. the

very recent commission

initiatives in visa policy.

To keep the programme as

up to date and allow

flexibility Estonia has

opted for the approach to

keep the wording of the

BMVI programme as

general as possible.

Furthermore, the BMVI

funds cover very valuable

but only a small amount of

costs in border

management and visa

policy therefore Estonia

decided to concentrate

resources to the most

pressing need in protection

of the EU external border

and we appreciate the

Commission’s

compliments on this. More

than 12 million euros has

been planned for the land-

Useful clarification. The

text of the programme

could be improved by

making a distinction in the

list of indicative actions

between two categories of

measures: equipment for

surveillance and equipment

for other border control (at

BCP) as elsewhere in the

narrative part there was this

reference to crossing points

(which was clearly

misunderstood).

These are under the same

measure since according

to the fiche of the BMVI

monitoring framework

these actions are reported

under the same indicator.

The distinction

between two

categories of

measures:

equipment for

border control and

equipment for

surveillance has

been made in the

list of indicative

action (page 12 in

tracked version,

page 12 in clean

version).

border equipment and it

goes to the Estonian-

Russian border. This is not

border control equipment,

but indeed surveillance

equipment and therefore in

our opinion in a correct slot

in the table 3 (radars,

cameras to be placed along

the border not in the border

crossing points and servers,

different switches and

cables to enable the

transfer of camera picture

to the border control

centre). In the SO1 it is

included under indicative

list of actions as “Border

surveillance and control

equipment compliant with

Frontex standards (patrol

vehicles, UAVs, cameras,

etc.), priority will be given

to landborder”.

The description in the

programme on the visa

digitalisation requires an

update, in light of the recent

Commission proposal. The

Commission services invite

„The BMVI programme

takes into account the visa

process digitalization

initiative published by the

Commission on April 27,

2022 and does not plan

It was not entirely clear

from the text of the NP and

we therefore recommend

that you indicate in the

programme that the

mentioned application is

In the future, when we

go to the government to

amend the programme

because of the IO SA we

will add the sentence

“Application is planned to

Estonia is using

BMVI for

creating an

interface to the

EU on-line visa

application, once

the Estonian authorities also

to clarify their intentions for

funding under the BMVI in

this area, as any

development of online visa

application at national level

should dovetail with the

European approach. In this

context, there could be

some doubts on the

formulation in the

programme that “after the

national Visa Register 2.0 is

completed, a new, updated,

pre-filled, online visa

application could be

created”, depending perhaps

on the respective timelines

for national and European

actions.

parallel development of the

national visa application

environment. Following

the developments of the

Visa Register 2.0, Estonia

plans improvements to the

already existing

application, which allows

filling out the visa

application form online, in

order to ensure better user

comfort. The mentioned

application is planned to be

used until it becomes

possible to create an

interface with the EU's

unified visa application

platform (expectedly

2026). Planned

developments in national

electronic visa application

are prerequisites for

recording electronically

submitted applications,

which will facilitate the

future interface of the

national visa register with

the EU's unified platform.”

We can confirm that no

large investment will be

made, we have

planned to be used until it

becomes possible to create

an interface with the EU's

unified visa application

platform (expectedly 2026).

be used until it becomes

possible to create an

interface with the EU's

unified visa application

platform (expectedly

2026).” under SO2.

the central system

is ready. The text

is amended

accordingly: “Eu-

LISA and DG

HOME worked on

the project to

develop and test a

prototype of the

EU online visa

application

portal. The

prototype of the e-

application

environment was

introduced in

2021. EE will

implement the EU

visa online

application

platform after its

completion.”

(page 20 in

tracked version,

page 20 in clean

version).

programmed 200 000 euros

(75% of BMVI and 25%

national funds) for update

of electronic national visa

application and the future

interface with the EU

platform.

2) Non-substantial transfer within the specific objective 1

Indicative amounts have been adjusted to be in line with committed budget of approved projects. During the programming phase, the beneficiary

did not take into account the project management costs. To be able to cover those cost an initially planned project (national IT-system KILP -

intervention code 008) will not be executed from the BMVI but will be developed with the help of the Structural Funds and partially of national

budget.

Transfers in table 3 of section 2.1.3 (SO1) were approved by the monitoring committee in the 7 September 2023 (minutes of the MC meeting no

3, ref. 14-13.2/22-1).

3) Thematic Facility

The Commission has selected 4 specific actions for funding. Appendix 3 has been included to the programme and relevant adjustments made in

the table 1 and 2 of section 2.1.2 (SO1), table 2 of section 2.1.3 (SO1), table 4 of section 2.2.2, table 5 of section 3.1 and table 6 of section 3.2.

BMVI/2021-2022/SA/1.2.1/003 “Establishment of mobile autonomous remote surveillance capability”. The aim of the project is to get a better

situational picture from the European Union external border sections, where it is not economically reasonable to build permanent infrastructure.

Police and Border Guard Board procures 4 innovative sets of mobile remote monitoring systems, tests and adapts them to guard the border in

terrain of varying complexity.

Output indicators O.1.1, O.1.8 and O.1.8.1 were adjusted.

Result indicators R.1.14, R.1.15 and R1.19 were adjusted.

BMVI/2022/SA/1.5.7/003 – BMVI/2022/SA/1.5.7/007 – “iSPoC + analysis”. The objective of this specific action is to secure an effective

implementation of the provisions of the Schengen Information System (SIS) Regulations and implementing acts. The scope of this project is

SIRENE bureau business processes analysis and system analysis of the application. As a result of the project, SIRENE bureau processes are

analyzed and documented. The possibilities for automation of business processes will be mapped, therefore the analysis serves as a base document

for further development of the system.

Indicators were not adjusted since IT-systems and functionalities are counted only once during the programme and SIS is already listed.

BMVI/2021/SA/1.5.4/008 – “Support to comply with the implementation of the relevant interoperability legal framework” under BMVI. The

objective of this Specific Action is to support Schengen countries to comply with the implementation of the interoperability legal framework. The

action has two aspects: 1) preparing the end-users of EU IT system for handling properly the information on identities contained in other systems

as a result of interoperability and 2) extending the capacity of the SIRENE offices to resolve yellow links during the period that makes the Multiple

Identity Detector (MID) operational. ESTONIA implements both aspects.

Output indicators O.1.8 and O1.8.1 were adjusted.

Result indicator R.1.19 was adjusted.

BMVI/2023-2024/SA/1.2.2/01 – Specific Action “Enhancement of Land Border Patrolling Capacity” aims to increase Frontex operational capacity

and the EE operational capacity to implement its obligations with regard to the overall protection of the EU external borders, through the purchase

of equipment – to be put at the Agency’s disposal – under the categorie 2: land-based means of transport and surveillance capacities (20 patrol

cars).

Output indicator O.1.1 was adjusted.

Result indicators R.1.14 and R.1.15 adjusted.

Pikk 61 / 15065 Tallinn / Estonia / +372 612 5008 / [email protected] / www.siseministeerium.ee

Registry code 70000562

European Commission

DG HOME

05.10.2023 No 14-13.5/24-1

Submission of the BMVI programme

amendment

Herewith, the Ministry of the Interior proposes a non-substantial amendment of the BMVI

programme for Estonia.

Proposed amendments are:

1) with editorial nature – small textual improvements,

2) with non-substantial transfers within the specific objective 1,

3) with inclusion of 4 specific actions selected by the Commission in the years of

2022– 2023.

The BMVI programme for Estonia 2021–2027 2.0 has been approved by the Monitoring Committee in the 7th of September 2023 and by the Government of the Republic of Estonia in

the 5th of October 2023.

Yours Sincerely,

/digitally signed/ Tarmo Miilits

Secretary General

Annexes:

1. sfc2021-PRG-2021EE65BVPR001-2.0_CLEAN

2. sfc2021-PRG-2021EE65BVPR001-2.0_TRACKED 3. Summary of the proposed BMVI programme amendment

CC: Silvia ORRU ([email protected])

Aivi Kuivonen

[email protected]