Source: European Parliament
Addressing migration is a joint responsibility and commitment between the EU, its Member States and EU’s partners based on the principles of solidarity and partnership.
Fluctuations in irregular border crossings underscore the complex challenges of managing migration, which depends on variety of dynamic factors that require comprehensive and continuous efforts over the long-term.
The EU Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF)[1] has played a crucial role by addressing the root causes of irregular migration, which is now continuing under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation — Global Europe Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe).
Recent data indicate a significant reduction of irregular border crossings via the Central Mediterranean route, with a 59% decrease in 2024 compared to 2023, and similar levels so far in 2025[2].
The Commission remains committed to the continuous evaluation and adaptation of its programmes to ensure their effectiveness in the ever-changing migration landscape.
The data provided concerns the voluntary returns and reintegration supported by the EUTF in 2023 and is not related to the North of Africa region.
In 2023, voluntary returns were funded under NDICI-Global Europe, through the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration programme[3], and reached the number of 27 212 both from North and Sub-Saharan Africa while 23 823 were assisted for their reintegration in Sub-Saharan Africa.
When considering the EUTF projects which created new jobs, most of them were in the private sector. The types of jobs[4] vary according to the region, and include mainly: agriculture, fishery, livestock production or processing sector, construction and infrastructure sector, education, healthcare and social services sectors.
- [1] https://trust-fund-for-africa.europa.eu/index_en, established on 12 November 2015.
- [2] European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).
- [3] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/programming/projects/migrant-protection-return-and-reintegration-programme-sub-saharan-africa-mprr-ssa_en#:~:text=The%20Migrant%20Protection%2C%20Return%2C%20and%20Reintegration%20Programme%20for,Africa%2C%20as%20well%20as%20within%20the%20African%20continent.
- [4] Source is the Monitoring and Learning System reports available on the EUTF website: https://trust-fund-for-africa.europa.eu/library_en.