2021EL65BVPR001 – Έκδοση 5.1

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

Baseline situation

The total length of the Hellenic land border is approximately 1,200 km National border protection needs constant improvement, in order to overcome smugglers adaptions to prevention means regularly used by border authorities. Consequently, border protection authorities need to
reinforce their capacities continuously and invest in emerging technology for surveillance to continue responding effectively
It is difficult to estimate the number of arrivals in the following years. However, climate crisis and war disputes will probably lead to an increased migratory pressure in the future Source: HP, Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG), NCC Entries from BCPs:
• 2017: 28,315,526: 18,252,864 (EU),10,062,662 (TCNs)
• 2018: 26,915,673: 17,521,587 (EU), 9,394,086 (TCNs) ,
• 2019: 29,296,596: 19,960,599 (EU), 9,335,997 (TCNs),
• 2020: 5,808,567: 4,242,676 (EU), 1,565,891 (TCNs),
• 1st half of 2021: 3,140,372: 1,567,420 (EU),1,572,952 (TCNs)
Arrests for illegal entry: 43,211(2017), 54,859 (2018), 77,522 (2019), 16,897 (2020) and 5,296 (2021 1st sem)

Specific Challenges/Needs
• Prevent usage of forged/falsified travel documents
• Prevent border crossings through unauthorized entry points
• Prevent illegal border crossings of stowaways hidden in all possible means of transportation
• Combat trafficking of irregular migrants
• Ensure long term smooth cross-border traffic, despite of any increase
• Facilitate cross-border flows, while ensuring border security
• Use assets and tools from previous Funds to propose new actions, complementary to this NP, through specific actions, or to use the technical specifications material for the ToRs of new procurements
• Potential use of the iProcureNet network for joint cross border procurement

Continuity and changes compared to the current funding period / Lessons Learnt:
During MFF 14-20, Greece invested in personnel recruitment and training, supply of vehicles/vessels, IT systems, border control and surveillance assets and equipment, resulting in:
• Reduction of operating costs
• Reduction of the number of illegally incoming aliens
• Control of secondary migration flows with the provisions of Reg.1052/2013 (EUROSUR) (Reg. 2019/1896). Many actions financed in MFF 14-20, either due to necessity or due to effectiveness, are foreseen for funding under MFF 21-27 also. Such actions include Acquiring transportation means and patrol vehicles
• Renewing the fleet used for border surveillance
• CCTV surveillance systems and heartbeat detectors
• CCTV surveillance systems installed at border crossing points to assist the surveillance of its premises and the control of illegal entries
• Acquisition of heartbeat detectors to identify people hidden in modified crypts of vehicles
• Training personnel deployed at the BCPs
• Transition from temporary reinforcement of Border Services to a more permanent scheme (e.g. recruitment of personnel)

Implementation measures - Annex II, par.1, (a)
• Preserving Schengen area without controls at internal borders. Ensuring efficient controls at the external borders and ensuring that border controls at internal borders are reintroduced only as a last resort measure for limited period of time. Prioritise border management measures taking into account the likely development of the legislative framework
• Measures related to the implementation of updated CIRAM and the enhancement of the collection and exchange of data for the purpose of risks analysis as required in the EBCG 2.0 RegulationEquipping border crossing points with the technical capacity needed in order to check fingerprint biometrics encoded in electronic travel documents against the holder of the document
• Upgrading EUROSUR through the acquisition of all the necessary IT infrastructure complying with Frontex technical standards and the necessary equipment to ensure that NCC’s performance of tasks provided for in Reg. 2019/1896 and Reg. 2021/581. In addition the development of necessary technical tool to ensure smooth transmission of information from the NSP to the ESP

Indicative Types of Actions (in line with Article 13(14)(b) and technical standards set out by Frontex)
Land Vehicles: [Annex III, (1), (b)]
• Vehicles equipped with integrated thermal imaging cameras and satellite communication
• Supply and maintenance of Unmanned Ground vehicles
• All-terrain vehicles
• SUVs equipped with thermal imaging cameras
• Vans equipped with x-ray identification systems

Maritime Vehicles: [Annex III, (1), (b)]
• Multi-Purpose Vessels over 70 m, all-weather, with a helipad suitable for a 10-ton helicopter and a launch pad for an emergency intermediate speedboat with emerging technology surveillance equipment (radar, thermal cameras etc)
• High-speed patrol boats up to 13 m, with emerging technology surveillance equipment (radar, thermal camera etc) that can exceed 50 knot-speed
• Patrol and rescue boats over 17.5, 18 and 30 m
Aerial Vehicles [Annex III, (1), (b)]
• Drones
• Quadcopter UAVs
• UAV Helicopter
• Upgraded AS-365 N3 Helicopters
• Activation of HC-33 helicopter type AS-365 N3
• Acquisition of new medium-range surveillance aircraft
• Acquisition of two (2) super medium helicopters for personnel transport

Provision of Border Surveillance assets and equipment [Annex III, (1), (a) and (b)]
• Automated surveillance system, and interconnection of the Regional Centres for Integrated Border Management and Immigration
• Develop NIMSS
• Supply of an over-the-top surveillance and video system, using a regular balloon
• Improve information analysis data of i2 type
• Portable thermal imaging cameras
• CCTV systems and necessary equipment
• Heartbeat detectors
• Equipping border crossing points with the technical capacity needed in order to check fingerprint biometrics encoded in electronic travel documents against the holder of the document
• Document forgery recognition devices and equipment for border and passport checks
• Automated license plate recognition system for vehicles crossing the country’s official entry-exit points
• Long-range high-accuracy Surveillance Radars
• Specialized means and equipment for improving the electronic system for Management and coordination of surveillance land and sea borders
• Remote long-range high-accuracy Surveillance Radars
• Long Range Electro-Optical Surveillance Systems for NIMSS
• Extension of NIMSS in southwestern Greece, mainly between Zakynthos and Kithyra. Innovative solutions, such as offshore surveillance platforms, will be explored
• Radar Emissions direction finder Systems for the 2-18 GHz frequency band
• Portable Iridium Radios
• Rescue Diver Intercom
• Prioritising investments into the digitalisation of travel documents, which will facilitate the whole travel process and interoperability.
• Training for Pilot Simulator (training for aircraft operators)
• Vest Secular Type, Diver Wetsuits, Baby Rescue Bag, Rescue Harness, First Aid Bags with Equipment and Drugs, Thermal imaging googles, Night vision goggles, Anti-ballistic vests, and equipment
• Modernization, upgrade and acquisition of electronic equipment
• Supply of canine cars and of dogs for HP and HCG
• Construction of aircraft hangars for air fleet maintenance and surveillance
• Achieving a secure and direct communication between the HCG staff working on the ground and the staff working in the Head Quarters (purchase of mobile phones)Enhance existing surveillance system at the Hellenic-Turkish border in order to detect illegal
crossings, thus protecting the lives of those who are encouraged by traffickers or state-actors to do so. Such system can be composed of technological surveillance border management infrastructure, electronic software and staff

Ensuring the uniform application of the Union acquis [Annex II, (1), (d)]
• Prioritising measures addressing all currently and in the future outstanding shortcomings identified in Vulnerability Assessment and the Schengen Evaluation

Identification Facilities [Annex III, (1), (b)]
• Operation of the Reception and Identification Service (RIS) with food provision, cleaning services, security, technical support and maintenance)
• Deployment of interpreters in MPRICs to reduce time needed for identification and acquisition of necessary documents for the Persons of Concern (POCs)
• Develop the necessary workstations at BCPs

Training and capacity development in the field of border management [Annex III, (1), (c)]
• Ensure the comperehensive implementation of Reg 2019/1896, including development of national component of EBCG, comply with technical standards set out by Frontex and register large-scale operating equipment in the Technical Equipment Pool of Frontex; measures related to the application of the updated CIRAM
• Training of personnel, including EUROSUR operators, as well as those deployed to the Standing Corps (Cat. 2 and 3), as well as staff to carry out checking fingerprint biometrics encoded in electronic travel documents against the holder of the document at the border crossing points
(border surveillance, identification of nationality, passport control, fundamental rights, information, risk assessment - strategic analysis, legality control, foreign languages and dedicated training for Immigration Liaison Officers)
• Preparation of a training curriculum related to efficient implementation of CIRAM
• Development of National Quality Control Mechanism
• Training of HP and MFA personnel on issues related to the implementation of the EES, including GDPR
• Training in large-scale IT systems operators
• Training personnel coming into contact with third country nationals
• Training and capacity building activities to relevant staff on fundamental rights for the MFA. The train-the-trainers actions will be covered by eu-LISA
• The eu-LISA provides training but this training is not a part of a national training programme for the competent personnel for the HP. However, complementarity may be achieved, since HP staff (technical administrators) that will be assigned with the use of Large Scale IT systems (EES, SIS, Eurodac etc) will receive relevant training from eu-LISA during the years 2022 and 2023. And training on interoperability components
• Personnel training of the Air Media Service HCG
• Training of HCG personnel on Integrated Border Management as part of the development of a comprehensive training system for basic, continuous and specialised training of border guards

Implementation measures

Annex II, par.1, (e)
Indicative Types of Actions
IT systems [Annex III, (1), (h), (l) ]
• Develop / upgrade large-scale IT Systems and ensure their interteroperability (EES, ETIAS, interoperability components)
• Implementing the EES
• Service used for the interconnection of National Border infrastructure
• Ιnterconnection of National Border infrastructure, CAPs and competent authorities with the NUIs (EES - ETIAS-VIS-Interoperability).
• Developing national interfaces for access and connection to communication infrastructures and integration of the existing national systems
• Establishing an IT System for the HP related to border protection duties (The main characteristics of the system will be the following: Decision making and administration based on information deriving from other IT systems. Development of an integrated risk analysis system.
Standardization of the operating mode of all Regional HP Services, by dividing administrative and operational activities.
• Development of IT tools for risk analysis for ETIAS NUI.Specific Action BMVI/2021/SA/1.5.4/009 “Support to comply with the implementation of the relevant interoperability legal framework”

Desired outcomes and expected results
• Facilitate legitimate border crossings
• Reinforce border controls and surveillance across the border (land, sea, air)
• Prevent unauthorized entries through all BCPs with increased efficiency
• Ensure sufficient number of trained staff for border control; ansure a coherent HR strategy and a comprehensive training system for border guards
• Reduce operating costs
• Strengthen the operational capacity of operational personnel in the performance of their duties
• Optimal protection of country’s borders
• Strengthen and renew the fleet and consequently upgrade the response capacity of the HCG
• Increase effectiveness of border surveillance, cross-border surveillance, and the pre-border area, which are objectives of Integrated Border Management Strategy 2018-2020
• Contribute to the prevention and fight against illegal crossings of sea borders
• Ensure high added value in the pursuit of dismantling organized criminal networks
• Reduce migrant population residing in RIS facilities at the border
• Extend technological capabilities
• Provide sufficient processing time required for the conduction of work and collection of information that is processed through outdated or analogue methods
• Minimize the time required to process vehicles and individuals, and prevent illegal crossings
• Establish quality control mechanisms of EU and in particular the Schengen assessment process and the vulnerability assessment methodology
• Ensure effective information provision and exchange in EUROSUR in compliance with the requirements deriving from Reg. 2019/1896 and 2021/581, as well as with technical standards and data security rules developed by the Agency
• Ensure full fuctionality of the NCC

Operating Support [Annex III, (1), (l)]
To assure effective border management, Greece identified the need to add more competent and experienced personnel. Training and recruitment of Border Guards will increase the operational capacity of the competent authorities, which are in charge of the Greek border control, surveillance and the management of migration flows. In addition, recruitment of police personnel will contribute to the reduction of seconded staff temporarily transferred to these Police Directorates, optimizing both human and financial resources. The presence of Police personnel at the near-border Police Directorates will contribute to the reduction of migratory pressure in these regions and will ensure more effective control and optimal surveillance at the country borders. Personnel recruitment and training will enhance the management of the migrant and asylum-seeking population that currently resides in the MPRICs; this will contribute to reducing the time needed for identification and acquisition of necessary documents for the POCs. Specifically the proposed actions that fall under the eligibility of operating support based on the BMVI regulation are:

Personnel Recruitment and Training
Hellenic Police [Annex III, (1), (c)]
• Increase the existing number of police personnel by 1,600 new recruits, while covering their operating expenses as part of the ongoing operating support
• Coverage of: a) payroll costs for Border Guards and b) daily allowances away from the main base of activity/operations, overnight and travel expenses for the deployment of police personnel
• Support personnel training to enable the use of new large-scale IT-systems and other border management-related trainings

Hellenic Coast Guard [Annex III, (1), (c)]
• Coverage of expenditure for the transfer of 80 executives per year to Border Port Authorities
• Providing short-term traineeship programmes for the new personel of HCG on border surveillance as part of the development of a comprehensive training system for basic, continuous and specialised training of border guards. Its necessary element should be a training on Fundamental Rights (theory + practice during surveillance, and related possible Search and Rescue (SAR) acitvities)

Management of MPRICs [Annex III, (1), (c)]
• Recruitment of staff for the purpose of guarding, security, and emergency response in the MPRICs, where migrants and refugees entering the Hellenic territory are temporarily hosted
• Deployment of interpreters in MPRICs to reduce the time needed for identification and acquisition of necessary documents for the POCs

The added value of supported Staff to the achievement of the BMVI scope:
• Ensuring a high level of operational readiness and efficiency
• Preventing border crossings at unauthorized entry points in line with the Schengen acquis and with respect for fundamental rightsEnsuring more efficient management of mixed migration flows
• Continuous and effective monitoring of the situation on the land, river and lake, as well maritime borders of the country
• Provide necessary services to first-comers to EU territory migrants within the remit of BMVI

IT systems [Annex III, (1), (l)]
• Operating costs for supporting and maintaining the information/IT systems (hardware and software) under development
• Maintenance of ETIAS National Units (NUIs) and competent authorities with the NUIs and Central EES, ETIAS and Information Operations

Maintenance of Infrastructure/ Facilities [Annex III, (1), (a)]
In order to increase the quality of services provided, the fund will support upgrading and renovation of certain buildings and infrastructures located at the national border. Specifically, the proposed actions are
• Developing the necessary workstations at Border Crossing Points and at the Operational Centres to enable the use of the new IT systems and equipment,
• Configuration of buildings / port infrastructures and supply of material and technical equipment for the Repair Base HCG in Elefsina& Thessaloniki
• Maintenance of RIS accommodation facilities in the MPRICs

Goals of the proposed actions:
The operating support is expected to strengthen and develop the country’s reception system at the border areas by improving and maintaining the living conditions for beneficiaries residing in MPRICs temporarily within the timelimites defined above. It is of paramount importance to comply with legal requirements for TCNs as per determined in the EU acquis

Indicative list of Beneficiaries both from actions and operating support, including their statutory
responsibilities
• Ministry of Citizen Protection / National Coordination Centre (NCC)
• Hellenic Police (HP) (Surveillance of the land border, BCPs/border control (land, sea, air), enforcement of aliens legislation and the national anticrime policy)
• HCG (Surveillance of sea borders and enforcement of anticrime measures in its area of responsibility)
• Hellenic Armed Forces (HAF) (subsidiary role) - (Surveillance of land, sea and air borders for ensuring country’s national integrity and defence)
• Reception & Identification Service (RIS) (Implementation of identification procedures of illegally entered TCNs or stateless persons)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) ((Implementation of the national foreign policy (EU and third countries cooperation), Visa policy) Mid-Term Review (MTR) Allocation for BMVI National Program 
In accordance with Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 1048/2021, the Commission allocated the additional amount of EUR 87,462,628.00 euros to the national program BMVI of Greece, which will be used to finance the following actions: 
• Supply of (01) Mobile Surveillance and Coordination Unit_- supply of a truck-type vehicle with surveillance equipment, a conference room and staff accommodation to enhance the operational capacity of coastal monitoring
• Establishment of an Iindependent Monitoring Mechanism for Screening and Border procedure
• Supply of drone/antidrone system for border surveillance
• Central Operational System of the Hellenic Coast Guard for situational awareness and decision support
• Relocation of the road border crossing point of Doirani, Regional Unit of Kilkis_
• Relocation of the road border crossing point of Kastanies
Allocation related to the participation of Schengen Associated Countries (SAC) allocation forin BMVI National Program 
Additionally, the allocation for the years 2026-2027 made available from the participation of Schengen associated countries in BMVI allocation for the years 2026-2027 will be used to cover the needs of the following actions (total amount EUR 26,403,951.00 million as presented below.:
• Supply of ten (10) mobile surveillance units - vehicles equipped with thermal camera and radar
• Upgrade of the road border crossing point of Evzoni, Regional Unit of Kilkis

Specific actions
BMVI/2021-2022/SA/1.2.1/015 -Project REACTION
BMVI/2023-2024/SA/1.2.2/12 - Equipment for EBCG
BMVI/2023/SA/1.1.4/009
BMVI/2024/SA/1.5.1/021
BMVI/2025/SA/Pact ‘Specific Action to Support Member States in the implementation of the Pact on
Migration and Asylum’

2.1. Ειδικός στόχος 1. Ευρωπαϊκή ολοκληρωμένη διαχείριση των συνόρων
2.1.2. Δείκτες
Παραπομπή: άρθρο 22 παράγραφος 4 στοιχείο ε) του ΚΚΔ
Πίνακας 1: Δείκτες εκροών

2.1. Ειδικός στόχος 1. Ευρωπαϊκή ολοκληρωμένη διαχείριση των συνόρων
2.1.2. Δείκτες
Παραπομπή: άρθρο 22 παράγραφος 4 στοιχείο ε) του ΚΚΔ
Πίνακας 2: Δείκτες αποτελεσμάτων

Παραπομπή: αρθρο 22 παράγραφος 5 του ΚΚΔ· και άρθρο 16 παράγραφος 12 του κανονισμού ΤΑΜΕ, άρθρο 13 παράγραφος 12 του κανονισμού ΤΕΑ ή
άρθρο 13 παράγραφος 18 του κανονισμού ΜΔΣΘ
Πίνακας 3: Ενδεικτική κατανομή

Baseline situation/Relevant data (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

With the support of the previous funding instrument, Greece increased the rate of Schengen visas issued in 2017 by more than 8.7% in comparison to 2015 (166,559 more visas) and 2016 (57,313 more visas). In order to maintain the steady increase of visa application numbers, Greece with the use of the BMVI funding instrument will address the challenge of fully digitizing the visa process, by providing personnel training to those assigned to complete relevant processes and by ensuring that the data is swiftly and accurately gathered, recorded and disseminated to the relevant authorities through the use of interconnected IT systems and the national Visa Information System (N-VIS). Regarding personnel capacity for the verification of means of subsistence and fraudulent documents, it should be noted that there was an increase in the refusal rate of visa issuance in comparison to 2016, from 2.8% to 3.5%.

Specific challenges/needs
The specific challenges that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to address in the following years are mainly the following:
• Delays in procurement
• Lack of legal expertise
• Upcoming personnel retirement
• Frequent personnel mobility in consular authorities
• Lack of experts (Schengen and IT experts)
• Budgetary restraints that limit the national capacity to address the needs
• Political, health and security situations in third countries and the new visa trends
• Advanced methods in identification or document forgery

Continuity and changes compared to the current funding period (including lessons learnt)
MFF 14-20 allowed optimal response and performance of the VIS system. Applicants were served faster and working conditions were improved. In this context, Greece considers that it is vital to keep a robust and up-to-date system (regarding IT hardware and software needs). Therefore, the continuation of actions such as procurement of additional VIS workstations, upgrades of IT software, infrastructures and line bandwidth, coverage of operational telecommunication costs, as well as the cost of relocating consular authorities premises, where needed, to continue supporting VIS interoperability with other systems.
The implementation of a pilot action called “Field Workers” – with the reinforcement of Police Officers and additional specialized MFA employees at Consular Authorities bearing a high workload – increased the visa application rejection rate, while numbers of granted visas remained high (statistics 2019). Such improvement in the quality of control indicated the need to continue this action. Health precautions for Consular personnel requires expenditure in infrastructure to continue. The new Visa Code commands limited physical presence of visa applicants (once every five years to collect fingerprints). Thus, Greece will fully digitalize the visa process in this programming period.
Finally, relevant experience gained previously by the SR on ESPs operation, will be used to properly implement contracts allowing Consuls and IT officers to perform necessary visits, allowing for constant monitoring and report.

Implementing Measures Annex II, par.(2), (a) 
The indicative types of actions: Annex III, par.2, (e)
• Develop IT tools for risk analysis and training. Relevant tools already used by the Netherlands and Austria were pointed out as a best practice by the Schengen evaluation mechanism. Such tools could be shared by those countries or be developed gradually in cooperation with Frontex and national authorities. A Risk Analysis tool will be incorporated in the VIS system similar to the national risk analysis system and its products to assist Consular staff in decision making for granting visa, or not. A Training IT tool, that includes production of video educational material with Q&A, mobile application etc.
• Monitor ESPs by allowing Consuls and IT officers to conduct regular visits. The New Visa Code requires consular monitoring by conducting on site visits at the ESPs and frequently reporting back to central authorities. This is a demanding task, as it requires IT-competent personnel. For this reason, it is necessary to have additional support from IBMF.

Annex II, par.(2), (c) / Annex III, par.2, (e)
Study on the Impact of TMI (Travel Medical Insurance) to the national health system. This study focuses on third-country nationals, holders of Schengen Visas with a TMI by an insurance company up to the amount of € 30,000. The following issues will be examined:
• How does insurance coverage work in practice from an institutional and administrative point of view?
• Are there distortions in the system (from the activation to the compensation by the insurance company)?
• What are the conclusions and proposals for hospitals and Consulates?
• The study includes the creation of questionnaires, skype interviews with Consular authorities, collection of all statistical data related to the study subject, collection of all relevant studies already conducted.
Digitalization of visa files. Greece has high expenditure for archive space, where visa applications files and relevant documents are kept. The new visa code allows digital files. The new applications may be digitally stored mainly by ESPs, however older files need time and adequate funding to be digitized as well.
Procurement of Visa Stickers.

Annex II, par.(2), (e) / Annex III, par.2, (b)
IT systems
• Visa Information System (VIS) IT system modifications and upgrades to implement the revised VIS Regulation and relevant EU legislation, including trainings for authorised personnel (end users etc.) on fundamental rights, such as the prohibition of discrimination, the right to the protection of personal data, including the obligation of authorities to inform third-country nationals about their data subject rights, the respect of human dignity when collecting biometric data, the rights of children, the rights of persons with disability etc.
• Upgrade of NET -VIS for the interconnection of Hellenic Consular authorities in third countries with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NUIs, which includes: monitoring of all SLA indicators, upgrading network management software, network elements and interfaces as well as operation control of services provided over the network. Troubleshooting the network through a fault monitoring system and all repairs and interventions in network equipment.
• Procurement of appropriate software for monitoring the configuration of active equipment per point/node.
• Upgrade N-VIS, including technical support for N-VIS system includes all N-VIS hardware and software in the Foreign Ministry premises in Athens, Thessaloniki and all Consular Authorities.
• Ensure proper functioning of equipment and systems software.
• Preventive & Remedial software (rehabilitation problems, shortages, defects, deviations from specifications and applications software malfunctions, upgrades, supply and install updated versions of software).
• Preventive & Remedial Upgrade Material H /W of Foreign Ministry nodes in Athens and Thessaloniki and all Consular Missions (rehabilitation failures and malfunctions, installation parts, accessories and other necessary materials for maintenance, replacement with spare equipment in case of serious damage and also custom duties, custom fees, transportation and other expenses incurred).
• Further development of the Visa On-Line system.

Desired outcomes and expected results
• More efficient response of Consulates to the increased demands, especially in high-demand
seasons, including fast visa processing
• Upgrading Consular service delivery, contributing to proper application of VIS and provision of
flexible and innovative Consular services
• Ensuring system integrity and continuity and preventing VIS network failures due to obsolete
systems
• Increase in data security (crypto products), improvement of response times for biometric data
retrieval and processing
• Increase in network security and access control of the Consular Offices to the VIS and their
systems which are interoperable with VIS (EES, etc.)
• Significant reduction of misuse-abuse of visa applications and better protection of the Schengen
area from security, public order and epidemiological threats
• Providing on-the-job training to all Consular officials in their country of accreditation and
subsequent reduction of personnel needing to move to the MFA HQ for training purposes
• Enhanced capacity of Consular staff, including local staff, related to Schengen visa processing and
consular cooperation
• Improving ESPs’ monitoring
• Saving resources by creating AI tools for training and risk analysis
• Decreasing the need for physical presence of visa applicants by developing electronic visa
processing tools
• Decreasing budget allocation for renting spaces for archiving visa files and contributing to a more
efficient and secure storage mode
• Ensuring and verifying that officers have adequate capacities in the field to address any new
challenges regarding Visa application processes
• Preventing irregular migration and helping protect European MS citizens better. The new systems
will allow easier third-country nationals travel while it becomes easier for operational officers to
efficiently identify over-stayers as well as document and identity fraud.

Operating Support - Annex II, par.(2), (e) / Annex III, par.2, (a)
Facilities / Infrastructure
Upgrade Consular services and refurbish premises to align with security and other Visa Code requirements, subject to location-specific requirements. More specifically:
• The Action focuses on renovation-refurbishment (incl. security services) of Consular premises subject to location-specific requirements in order to align with security requirements, in compliance with the Visa Code and VIS Regulation. Indicatively, subject to a per location evaluation approach: improve accessibility for disabled people, install security doors, bullet-proof windows, security cameras, seating area equipment, room separators, air conditioning, intercom systems, crowd control equipment, shredders etc. Additional infrastructure will be acquired for the protection of personnel from health hazards.
• In-situ training will be customized subject to each Consulate’s identified training needs and will include its entire serving personnel. Apart from generic issues on visa policy, it will also cover specified topics, depending on the identified training needs of each Consular Authority, such as the identification of false / forged travel documents, data protection and their capacity to respond to the needs of the Schengen evaluation mechanism. The training will be carried out by a team consisting of both personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Hellenic Police Officers, with expertise in Schengen and visa policy.
• The above-mentioned actions have already received funding by ISF and the Final Beneficiary is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Staff training
Secondment of expert “field workers”, in addition to the national secondments during high season for the support of the visa administrative process, the reduction of misuse/abuse of visa applications, including “visa-shopping” and the detection of false or falsified documents.

To be more specific:
Increase in visa processers is a major challenge for the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For this purpose, an innovative pilot programme of secondment of visa experts (“field workers”) to Consular Authorities is already being implemented successfully during high season, in order to support the visa administrative process, reduce cases of misuse and abuse of visa applications, including “visa-shopping”, detect false or falsified documents, and swiftly issue Visas to bona fide travellers. According to experience gained so far, “field workers” have significantly assisted the Consulates with their work, especially in recognizing false and falsified documents and ensuring a swift and secure visa process.
Staff reinforcement is allocated according to workload, depending on requests submitted by Embassies/Consulates. The length of temporary secondment depends on the specific requests and workload of each Embassy/Consulate. Specially trained officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Citizen Protection receive additional training and are seconded for a short period of time, in order to support the Consulates during the high season. Additionally, the current visa trends indicate that a significant increase in visa applications is to be expected in certain countries. Furthermore, it should be underlined that the cooperation with External Service Providers and intermediaries has led to an increased number of short stay visas from tourism markets.
The above-mentioned Action has been considered as a good practice to similar actions by EU member states, during Greece’s Schengen assessment, presented under the Romanian Presidency (EU "Visas").

IT systems
• Maintenance and support of VIS system (NET-VIS network and N-VIS system)
• Maintenance and support of the NUIs Data Centers

Indicative list of Beneficiaries
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Παραπομπή: άρθρο 22 παράγραφος 4 στοιχείο ε) του ΚΚΔ
Πίνακας 1: Δείκτες εκροών

Παραπομπή: άρθρο 22 παράγραφος 4 στοιχείο ε) του ΚΚΔ
Πίνακας 2: Δείκτες αποτελεσμάτων

Παραπομπή: αρθρο 22 παράγραφος 5 του ΚΚΔ· και άρθρο 16 παράγραφος 12 του κανονισμού ΤΑΜΕ, άρθρο 13 παράγραφος 12 του κανονισμού ΤΕΑ ή
άρθρο 13 παράγραφος 18 του κανονισμού ΜΔΣΘ
Πίνακας 3: Ενδεικτική κατανομή

Παραπομπή: άρθρο 22 παράγραφος 3 στοιχείο στ), άρθρο 36 παράγραφος 5, άρθρο 37 και άρθρο 95 του ΚΚΔ

Technical and legal assistance will be provided for the implementation of the new regulations and obligations for Greece derived from them in order the new IT systems and relevant processes to be better implemented, as well as ongoing technical support throughout the programmed actions to be provided.
Additionally, the technical assistance addresses the need to adjust to national legislation in terms of security, data protection and fundamental rights.
Such assistance includes the provision of advice, expertise, research, analysis, training or other assistance in connection with, inter alia:
• Reinforcing systems and processes of management and coordination including anti-fraud actions
• Enhancing human resources, administrative organization and operation of entities involved in the
implementation of the interventions and actions
• Upgrading the managerial and delivery capacity of the beneficiaries of the fund
• Completing necessary formal procedures in case and data handling in relation to the actions
described above
• Analysing the national legislation and reviewing of national laws aimed at ensuring compliance
with international legal obligations or implementing E.U. laws and regulations
• Drafting non-legislative texts (such as arbitration rules) based on the documents and procedures of
national and international law.
Current technical assistance programmes are undertaken in accordance with the mandate of each respective department, office, agency, fund or programme and within the existing financial resources allocated for such purposes under their respective programme budgets.

Allocation of Technical Assistance and indicative Actions
Information & Communication (allocation: 10%)
• Information Campaigns
• Communication Action Plans
• Public events and visits
• Information campaigns
• Commemorative plaques
• Press releases
• Leaflets, brochures, newsletters, and magazines
• Web site for Migration & Home Affairs Funds (AMIF, BMVI, ISF)
• Participation of the Managing Authority in exhibitions and other commercial events
• Production and distribution of Magazine for Migration & Home Affairs Funds (AMIF, BMVI, ISF)

Preparation, implementation, monitoring and control (allocation 20%)
• External Consultancy for planning, monitoring, verification and evaluation process
EL 36 EL
• External Consultancy for the on-the-spot controls
• External Consultancy for Financial planning
• Costs for the meetings of the Monitoring Committee for Migration and Home Affairs Funds
• Costs for the on-spot-controls

Evaluation and studies, data collection (allocation 10%)
• External Consultancy for the collection of relevant data, statistics and indicators
• Studies (eg: impact of programmes, SCOs, impact of various events on migration, best practices,
establishment of new tools etc)

Capacity building (allocation 60%)
• Fixed-term staff for the Managing Authority and the Intermediate Bodies
• External Consultancy for the Managing Authority and the Intermediate Bodies
• External Consultancy for final beneficiaries to assist in the field of public procurement, planning
and smooth project implementation
• Training for the Management and Control System
• External Consultancy to assist the Managing Authority for the Home Affairs Committee and
relevant legal or strategic documents of the Home Funds
• Contracting services (e.g., recording of meetings, translation/interpretation, operating costs of the
Managing Authority and the Intermediate Bodies, travel costs etc.)
• Contracting supplies for the operation of the Managing Authority and the Intermediate Bodies

Πίνακας 4: Ενδεικτική κατανομή

Παραπομπή: Άρθρο 22 παράγραφος 3 στοιχείο ζ) του ΚΚΔ

Πίνακας 5: Χρηματοδοτικές πιστώσεις ανά έτος

Πίνακας 6: Σύνολο χρηματοδοτικών κονδυλίων ανά ταμείο και εθνική συνεισφορά

Πίνακας 7: Μεταφορές μεταξύ ταμείων επιμερισμένης διαχείρισης1

1Σωρευτικά ποσά για όλες τις μεταφορές κατά τη διάρκεια της περιόδου προγραμματισμού.

Πίνακας 8: Μεταφορές προς μέσα υπό άμεση ή έμμεση διαχείριση1

1Σωρευτικά ποσά για όλες τις μεταφορές κατά τη διάρκεια της περιόδου προγραμματισμού.

Παραπομπή: άρθρο 22 παράγραφος 3 στοιχείο ια) και άρθρα 71 και 84 του ΚΚΔ
Πίνακας 10: Αρμόδιες για το πρόγραμμα αρχές

Παραπομπή: άρθρο 22 παράγραφος 3 στοιχείο η) του ΚΚΔ

Preparation
During the development of the NP, the MA identified and consulted with a wide range of programme stakeholders, to increase efficiency of policy-planning and ensure that the proposed main actions sufficiently cover critical and actual needs in the field. In particular, the MA carried out several meetings –both in person and online– with all de jure monopoly stakeholders, i.e. the following: Ministry of Migration and Asylum, Ministry of Citizen Protection, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In parallel, the MA carried out many meetings, per SO, with relevant actors to collect all lessons learnt from the programming period 2014- 2020, examine all proposed actions and decide which ones should be integrated into the NP 2021-2027.
To sum up, the MA received and took into consideration all follow-up contributions from the above stakeholders, including their concerns, comments and proposals. In principle, the goal of the above procedure during the preparation phase of the programme was to incorporate the competent national agencies’ strategic planning into the main actions of each specific objective.

Implementation/Execution
The MA focused on presenting the stakeholders with a more active role in the implementation of actions by organizing one-in-one meetings during the implementation period. Potential stakeholders are:
• Ministry of Migration and Asylum
• Ministry of National Defense
• Ministry of Citizen Protection
• Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monitoring and evaluation
During the monitoring and evaluation phase of the programme, according to the management and control system, the MA will collaborate closely with all stakeholders. The MA will implement verification and on-the-spot controls of actions and take corrective measures when necessary. Authorities that implement actions under BMVI (Ministry of Migration and Asylum, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Citizen Protection, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs etc) will participate in the monitoring committee of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (AMIF, BMVI, ISF) and will therefore contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the programme. Based on the last updated Ministerial Decision, the members of the monitoring committee are allowed to propose successful practices, while bringing their own experiences and operational expertise during the evaluation phase of the programme.
In addition, the Greek Ombudsman, the Chair of the National Committee for Human Rights, representatives from UNCHR and IOM participate to the Monitoring Committee and are involved in all Programme phases. As far as National Data Protection issues are concerned, all the Ministries have their own independent Data Protection Officer (DPO) responsible for monitoring all actions’ implementation. On the latest updated national legislation, the MA has a DPO focal point with the Ministry of Development and Investment. MA will repeat periodically every year the meetings with all potential stakeholders other than Monitoring Committee Meeting, to take their feedback related to potential problems into implementation process, and on how to reprogram or re-adjust some projects. The meetings will be conducted either bilaterally or with all stakeholders at the same time. In any case, all beneficiaries will have the opportunity to express their proposals in order to improve the quality of the projects and thus the quality of services provided to migrants.

Communication
Authorities that implement actions under BMVI (Ministry of Migration and Asylum, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Citizen Protection, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs etc.) will contribute and participate to every communication and visibility action of the programme.
The communication officer is in the Programming and Evaluation Unit of the Managing Authority and will be the link with the central communication officer from the Ministry of Development and Investment.

Monitoring Committee
The Monitoring Committee for the Migration and Home Affairs Funds programmes for the 2021-2027 programming period, was set up by decision of the Minister for Migration and Asylum, in accordance with Articles 29 and 63 of Law 4914/2022 (A 61). As per the Ministerial Decision 457538/2-11-23, every year four (4) representatives from the civil society organizations (registered to the Ministry’s NGOs Registry), will be appointed as members of the Monitoring Committee with voting rights. 
In line with Articles 8(1) and 39 of the Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, one civil society organisation (the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities) is a member of the committee with the right to vote on horizontal matters relating to the three funds.

Παραπομπή: άρθρο 22 παράγραφος 3 στοιχείο ι) του ΚΚΔ

The communication strategy will ensure that any and all relevant stakeholders that have an active role in the course of the funding period will receive constant and relevant information, in due time. The stakeholders outlined in the actions’ descriptions include but are not limited to national government officials of the relevant Ministries, General Secretariats, the Hellenic Police, the Hellenic Coast Guard and others. Additionally, the stakeholders that will be included in the internal communication of the programme include the relevant E.U., international, member-states, and third-country officials that are relevant to the actions of the funding instrument, which will be outlined in the individual Action Proposal documents. The purposes of the communication plan are:

Objectives
Communication will focus on achievements and impact of the funded actions, not only on administrative or procedural milestones.

In order to maximize the impact of communication efforts, MA will use all the activities such as:
• Display panels (50)
• Banners (50)
• Promotional items (50)
• Photographs (200)
• Audiovisual productions (15)
• Public events and visits (20)
• Information campaigns (15)
• Commemorative plaques (1.000)
• Press releases (200)
• Leaflets (50), brochures (40), newsletters (100), and magazines (14)
• Participation of the Managing Authority in exhibitions (6) and other commercial events (6)
• Web site for the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (AMIF, BMVI, ISF) (1)
• Workshops (4)
• Webinars (2)

The target audience(s) will be:
• Public bodies
• Universities
• Regional and Local communities in the islands and in the mainland
• Asylum Seekers
• Migrants and Refugees
• Irregular migrants

Communication channels (including social media outreach):
• Web site,
• Creating apps
• Other communication channels
The communication and visibility actions are estimated to cost 8,050,488.74 for the programming period 2021-2027.
The communication officer is in the Programming and Evaluation Unit of the Managing Authority and  will be the link with the central communication officer from the Ministry of Development and Investment.

Monitoring and Evaluation
The evaluation will be implemented by using output, outcome and impact indicators.
Output indicators: Facebook Target Value (TS) 30,000 followers, Twitter TS 30,000 users, LinkedIn TA 1,000 users, TS Website 100,000 visits, number of TA helpdesk inquiries 50/month
Outcome indicators: 1,500 engagement / post on social media. Recognition rate, audience recall of campaign/activity, degree of satisfaction/usefulness from event, website conversions (downloads, registrations, bouncing rate, connection duration) and degree of user satisfaction, number of participants per event/conference/seminar, social media followers/impressions/views, website visitors, number of Helpdesk enquiries.
Impact Indicators: Disseminating a positive message about the Program and the EU, degree of trust in national/European authorities.
Evaluation will be caried out of the communication strategy and for activities based on the EU toolkit

Παραπομπή: Άρθρα 94 και 95 του ΚΚΔ

Προσάρτημα 1: Συνεισφορά της Ένωσης βάσει μοναδιαίων δαπανών, κατ’ αποκοπή ποσών και ενιαίων συντελεστών
A. Σύνοψη των κύριων στοιχείων

1) Αναφέρεται στον κωδικό του παραρτήματος VI των κανονισμών ΤΑΜΕ, ΜΔΣΘ και ΤΕΑ.
2) Αναφέρεται στον κωδικό κοινού δείκτη, κατά περίπτωση.

Προσάρτημα 1: Συνεισφορά της Ένωσης βάσει μοναδιαίων δαπανών, κατ’ αποκοπή ποσών και ενιαίων συντελεστών
Β. Λεπτομερή στοιχεία ανά τύπο πράξης

Γ. Υπολογισμός της τυποποιημένης κλίμακας μοναδιαίων δαπανών, κατ’ αποκοπή ποσών ή ενιαίων συντελεστών
1. Πηγή δεδομένων που χρησιμοποιούνται για τον υπολογισμό της τυποποιημένης κλίμακας μοναδιαίων δαπανών, κατ’ αποκοπή ποσών ή ενιαίων συντελεστών (ποιος παρήγαγε, συνέλεξε και καταχώρισε τα δεδομένα, πού αποθηκεύονται τα δεδομένα, προθεσμίες, επαλήθευση κ.λπ.)

2. Να διευκρινιστεί για ποιον λόγο ενδείκνυνται η προτεινόμενη μέθοδος και ο προτεινόμενος υπολογισμός βάσει του άρθρου 94 παράγραφος 2 του ΚΚΔ για τον τύπο πράξης.

3. Να προσδιορίσετε τον τρόπο διενέργειας των υπολογισμών, ιδίως περιλαμβάνοντας τυχόν παραδοχές ως προς την ποιότητα ή τις ποσότητες. Κατά περίπτωση, θα πρέπει να χρησιμοποιούνται και, εάν ζητηθεί, να παρέχονται στατιστικά αποδεικτικά στοιχεία και τιμές αναφοράς, σε μορφότυπο που να μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί από την Επιτροπή.

4. Να εξηγήσετε πώς εξασφαλίσατε ότι στον υπολογισμό της τυποποιημένης κλίμακας μοναδιαίου κόστους, κατ’ αποκοπή ποσού ή ενιαίου συντελεστή έχουν περιληφθεί μόνον επιλέξιμες δαπάνες.

5. Αξιολόγηση από την ή τις ελεγκτικές αρχές της μεθοδολογίας υπολογισμού και των ποσών, καθώς και των ρυθμίσεων για τη διασφάλιση της επαλήθευσης, της ποιότητας, της συλλογής και της αποθήκευσης των δεδομένων.

Προσάρτημα 2: Συνεισφορά της Ένωσης βάσει χρηματοδότησης που δεν συνδέεται με δαπάνες
A. Σύνοψη των κύριων στοιχείων

1) Αναφέρεται στον κωδικό του παραρτήματος VI των κανονισμών ΤΑΜΕ, ΜΔΣΘ και ΤΕΑ.
2) Αναφέρεται στον κωδικό κοινού δείκτη, κατά περίπτωση.

Β. Λεπτομερή στοιχεία ανά τύπο πράξης

Προσάρτημα 3
Θεματικό μέσο (άρθρο 11 του κανονισμού ΤΑΜΕ, άρθρο 8 του κανονισμού ΜΔΣΘ, άρθρο 8 του κανονισμού ΤΕΑ)