Projects funded by The European Union
The Federal Police works every day on new projects defined by the European Union. For more information on these innovative initiatives from the current project cycle (2021-2027), please consult the links below to go to the project descriptions. Each project presented is supported by either the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) or the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI). For additional information on these European funds, you can also visit the European Commission's website (Migration and Home Affairs - Funding).
Project code: BMVI-029-060
Project duration: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024
Budget: 5.071.349,40 EUR (3.803.512,05 EUR via BMVI & 1.267.837,35 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
In pre-COVID times, there was a sharp increase in passenger movements at the European external borders. Facilitating legitimate travel and ensuring a high level of security at international border crossing points (BCPs) required high-quality, automated border control infrastructure. The implementation of Automated Border Control systems (e-gates) addressed capacity challenges by qualitatively supporting the border control task and rationalising the staffing capacity of the Federal Police.
Objectives & actions
- Purchase and installation of 54 e-gates to replace and expand capacity at Brussels Airport (Zaventem), Charleroi Airport (Brussels South) and the international railway station Brussels-South.
- Rationalisation and optimisation of the deployment of staff capacity through automated first-line control.
- Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of border surveillance in order to strengthen internal security within the European Union.
Project code: ISF-075-110
Project duration: 01/07/2022 - 31/12/2028
Budget: 11.485.294,71 EUR (8.613.971,03 EUR via ISF & 2.871.323,68 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
The ABIS project aims to build a powerful, modern biometric data processing system to replace the outdated AFIS system. Efficient processing of biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) is essential in the fight against organised and cross-border crime. The project makes it possible to compare and exchange biometric data quickly and accurately within the Integrated Police as well as with national and international partner services.
Objectives & actions
- Development and implementation of data exchange gateways for European and international systems such as ECRIS-TCN, SIS II and Prüm II.
- Purchase of high-performance backend server infrastructure, ABIS Remote Stations and workstations for facial and dactyloscopic analysis.
- Cleaning, auditing and high-quality migration of approximately 3.5 million fingerprint cards, 1.2 million individuals and 750,000 traces to the new ABIS platform.
Project code: ISF-076-102
Project duration: 01/07/2022 - 31/12/2026
Budget: 2.033.000,00 EUR (1.524.750,00 EUR via ISF & 508.250,00 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
The project aims at the quality assurance and official accreditation of the Forensic Police Laboratories (FPL) and the Biometric Identification Service (BIS) of the Federal Police in accordance with the international quality standard ISO/IEC 17025. Obtaining and maintaining this standard is a legal and European requirement for the valid use of forensic and biometric evidence in criminal proceedings and international data exchanges.
Objectives & actions
- Accreditation and re-accreditation of the forensic and biometric laboratories of the Federal Police in accordance with the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
- Purchase and maintenance of high-end forensic equipment, including advanced light sources (CrimeScope), digital full-frame cameras, climate cabinets and Trasoscan devices.
- Acquisition of specialised software licences (Photoshop), advanced lab workstations (Lucia & CC) and chemical reagents for trace analysis.
Project code: BMVI-026-058
Project duration: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024
Budget: 2.516.850,00 EUR (1.887.637,50 EUR via BMVI & 629.212,50 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
The increase in EU regulations and related border control applications (Bordertask with EES and ETIAS) and databases makes it very challenging to produce uniform reports. The project builds on the achievements of the previous Bordertask project and responds to an open point from a Schengen evaluation and a recommendation from Frontex (EBCG) in the 2020 Baseline Assessment.
Objectives & actions
- Development and implementation of a central Border Management Information System (data warehouse) that collects and cross-references data from the operational border management applications.
- Support for business intelligence, national monitoring and policy steering.
- Recruitment of ICT profiles for the realisation of the necessary ICT developments.
Project code: BMVI-033-067
Project duration: 01/04/2022 - 31/12/2024
Budget: 979.440,00 EUR (734.580,00 EUR via BMVI & 244.860,00 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
Regulation (EU) 2019/1239 provides for the implementation of an interoperable European Maritime Single Window environment (EMSWe) with harmonised interfaces, in order to simplify the reporting obligations for ships in EU ports. Full implementation is foreseen by the end of 2025. The current connector with the Belgian MSW system is insufficiently stable and the Federal Police no longer has the source code or the expertise to maintain it.
Objectives & actions
- Replacement of the outdated connector with a modern web service in line with DRI standards, with a guarantee of high availability.
- Electronic reception, consultation and risk analysis of maritime reporting data by the Federal Police.
- Recruitment of three ICT profiles for a period of two years for the development.
Project code: ISF-143-001
Project duration: 01/01/2026 - 31/12/2027
Budget: 649.989,52 EUR (584.990,57 EUR via ISF & 64.998,95 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
EPRIS (European Police Records Information System) aims at the automated exchange of police data between EU Member States. International information exchange currently takes place largely manually via formal channels, with no certainty that another Member State holds relevant data. This leads to unnecessary workload and delays. EPRIS makes it possible, through anonymised (pseudonymised) queries, to check whether other Member States hold relevant police records, without directly exchanging personal data.
Objectives & actions
- Set-up of a national index database of pseudonymised police records, with daily synchronisation with the source database.
- Implementation of EPRIS in the Belgian police infrastructure.
- Establishing the connection with the EPRIS environments at Europol.
- Integration of EPRIS into the national search interface and, in the longer term, the case management system, with new work processes and training of end users.
- Phased implementation in line with the European technical planning via eu-LISA.
Project code: ISF-116-001
Project duration: 01/01/2024 - 30/06/2026
Budget: 226.829,30 EUR (204.146,37 EUR via ISF & 22.682,93 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
With open European borders, operational cooperation between Member States requires continuous harmonisation and professionalisation to avoid gaps in surveillance. European surveillance units currently have no effective real-time cross-border communication system, which causes delays in time-critical operations. Organised crime also actively carries out counter-surveillance against police services, which makes training in detection and countermeasures necessary. The European Surveillance Group (ESG) is the European network of surveillance experts that strengthens these capabilities and expanded its membership to new EU Member States in 2023.
Objectives & actions
- Support for the ESG as a cooperation network within the Law Enforcement Working Party (LEWP) and the Law Enforcement Network Working Group (LENWG) of DG Home, in order to strengthen evidence gathering in national and cross-border investigations.
- Leadership of Working Group 5 (strategic documents, lessons learned, threat analyses and a standardised template for the Threat Assessment via two workshops).
- Leadership of Working Group 6 (exploration of the NEOS system for cross-border surveillance via one workshop and two test exercises).
Project code: BMVI-034-068
Project duration: 01/04/2022 - 31/12/2024
Budget: 799.000,00 EUR (599.250,00 EUR via BMVI & 199.750,00 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
The ETIAS system requires travellers from visa-exempt third countries to apply for a travel authorisation prior to their trip to the Schengen area. At the Federal Police, ETIAS had to be linked to the Entry/Exit System (EES) and integrated into the national border control application BORDERTASK, and made available to the SIRENE service for control and alert powers.
Objectives & actions
- Development and implementation of the national ETIAS functionalities at Federal Police level.
- Seamless link between ETIAS and BORDERTASK, EES and the SIRENE system in support of automated border checks.
- Preparation for the start-up of the Belgian ETIAS National Unit.
- Deployment of 1 full-time analyst and 1 full-time PHP developer at DRI for the period 2022-2023.
Project code: BMVI-119-001
Project duration: 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2026
Budget: 787.500,00 EUR (590.625,00 EUR via BMVI & 196.875,00 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
This project is the direct follow-up to the first ETIAS phase, with a view to the effective operational start of the Belgian ETIAS National Unit. Developments have already been carried out, but further development in 2024-2025 remains necessary. Given the likelihood of further postponement of the EES, ETIAS may follow the same delay, with a deadline shifting to mid-2025.
Objectives & actions
- Further development of ETIAS in 2024-2025, with the deployment of 2 full-time analysts and 2 full-time PHP developers at DRI.
- Possible development of additional storage capacity if the EU develops its own app for which the Member States must serve as a buffer.
- Transition to maintenance once the development is completed.
Project code: ISF-089-114
Project duration: 01/07/2022 - 31/12/2025
Budget: 1.628.005,00 EUR (1.221.003,75 EUR via ISF & 407.001,25 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
The EU-Action project, supplemented by EU-SIUTEX and EU-SIUEV, laid the foundation for an operations management platform for the Special Units. In September 2020, three exercises were organised with the Belgian and Luxembourg Special Units within a single operation, supplemented by operational deployment during the Sky ECC (March 2021) and Jurgen Conings (May 2021) cases. The project is in the dissemination phase within the European Special Units. During development, a number of points for improvement emerged, in particular the provision of information to the first line (motorcyclists, intervention and arrest operators) and the need for adapted individual and collective IT equipment.
Objectives & actions
- Optimisation of the NEOS core for greater modularity and interoperability, and development of an identity and access management system (IDS) for the various units.
- Development of a new mapping functionality (generic information such as hospitals and Safeplaces, plus operational data) and review of the flow of information to the first line.
- Purchase of IT equipment (smartphones, laptops, tablets) and an adapted vehicle for data communication with the servers, and set-up of a training room with a simulated command post.
Project code: ISF-146-001
Project duration: 01/01/2026 - 31/12/2027
Budget: 503.970,00 EUR (377.977,50 EUR via ISF & 125.992,50 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
EU-Action Bis is the follow-up phase aimed at facilitating rapid information exchange during tactical interventions by special units. The project focuses on smoother access to information in the field, the optimisation of existing NEOS applications and the development of new mobile functionalities for special operations.
Objectives & actions
- Optimisation of the NEOS core application and the associated applications (WoW, WhatSU, MapSU, Phoenix, TargetSU, TangoSU, Cerberus, Crisis, Recall) for greater modularity and interoperability.
- Development of advanced mapping functionalities and mobile incident management modules.
- Deployment of specialised ICT consultants for mobile development, DevOps and project management.
Project code: BMVI-032-066
Project duration: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024
Budget: 1.326.150,00 EUR (994.612,50 EUR via BMVI & 331.537,50 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
EUROSUR (European Border Surveillance System), established by Regulation (EU) 1052/2013 and placed under Frontex, aims at improved situational awareness and faster reaction to incidents at the external borders. The system is fed via the National Coordination Centres and, among other sources, live satellite images. The EBCGA Regulation (the new Frontex Regulation) obliges Member States, after a transition period, to also register secondary movements, incidents at all border crossing points and cross-border crime incidents in near real-time. A first phase was started with funds from the national envelope ISF Borders.
Objectives & actions
- Adaptation of BORDERTASK for the connection to the Frontex EUROSUR network.
- Development of a front-end for capturing geolocation, modus operandi and incident data, and registration of secondary movements via RAAVIS/ISLP and BORDERTASK.
- Network and security upgrade to the security level confidential, with the deployment of four ICT profiles for two years.
Project code: ISF-077-101
Project duration: 01/07/2022 - 30/06/2026
Budget: 504.291,00 EUR (378.218,25 EUR via ISF & 126.072,75 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
The National Entry Point (PCN/NIP), composed of DAO, DJO and CGI, is the central 24/7 Single Point of Contact of the Integrated Police for events that may threaten public order and security. The NIP collects, exploits and disseminates information, coordinates operational support and maintains international contacts. The project modernises the PCN/NIP into an integrated information platform in which the administrative, judicial and international information flows are also managed efficiently during crises, within the i-Police trajectory.
Objectives & actions
- Configuration of case management tailored to the PCN, logging of incidents and actions, and B2B exchange with partners such as the Crisis Centre and ASTRID Call Dispatching.
- Management and sharing of unstructured data (photos, videos) and advanced analysis tools for threat analysis and geospatial analysis.
- Phased implementation: as-is/to-be analysis, design, configuration, testing, training and change management, and roll-out with hypercare support.
Project code: BMVI-037-070
Project duration: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2025
Budget: 2.085.930,00 EUR (1.564.447,50 EUR via BMVI & 521.482,50 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
In parallel with the introduction of EES and ETIAS, VIS and SIS are being upgraded, EURODAC reformed and ECRIS-TCN further developed. All these systems, like ABIS, store biometric data according to the same NIST standard. The Interoperability project links these European information systems together through the necessary national ICT developments.
Objectives & actions
- Linking of the decentralised and central European databases (VIS, SIS, EURODAC, ECRIS-TCN, ABIS) according to the common biometric standard.
- Realisation of the national ICT developments between 2023 and 2025.
- Recruitment of 11 ICT profiles for the implementation.
Project code: ISF-117-001
Project duration: 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2026
Budget: 2.999.731,00 EUR (2.699.757,90 EUR via ISF & 299.973,10 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
NEOS4EU aims at scaling up the NEOS information management system of the Directorate of Special Units (DSU), so that relevant law enforcement services in the EU can set up their own standalone solutions with it on their national servers. Networks such as Europol ATLAS and ESG have expressed a need for this. The project aligns with the EU Critical Communication System (EUCCS) via Work Package 4 and cooperates with BroadEU.Net Preparation, EUCCS and the Mission Critical Communication Group (positions of Ireland, Luxembourg and Austria).
Objectives & actions
- Development and testing of NEOS4EU with a microservices architecture, including a development kit for integration into national environments.
- Implementation of a version control system for server updates and guarantee of GDPR compliance.
- Development of a secure cross-border server connection, resistant to interference and signal loss, and cooperation with CEPOL.
Project code: BMVI-035-069
Project duration: 01/04/2022 - 31/12/2023
Budget: 2.004.200,00 EUR (1.503.150,00 EUR via BMVI & 501.050,00 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
Once EES and ETIAS are implemented and BORDERTASK is fully developed, these systems must remain operational 24/7. By analogy with SIS II, structural maintenance is necessary: non-compliance constitutes a breach of the European obligation, and non-implementation entails a major security risk with regard to terrorism and organised crime.
Objectives & actions
- Structural maintenance of EES, ETIAS and BORDERTASK to guarantee 24/7 availability.
- Recruitment of 11 ICT profiles to ensure this maintenance.
Project code: BMVI-028-059
Project duration: 01/04/2022 - 31/12/2024
Budget: 3.550.645,25 EUR (2.662.983,94 EUR via BMVI & 887.661,31 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
The mandatory integration of the European Entry/Exit System (EES), initially foreseen by 21/06/2021, was postponed several times due to delays by the contractor eu-LISA. The EES must ensure faster processing of visa-required travellers at the border and an automatic check of the length of stay. Third-country nationals (TCNs) must from now on be registered and verified both alphanumerically and biometrically (photo and fingerprints), without passport stamps.
Objectives & actions
- Adaptation and extension of the BORDERTASK application for the mandatory EES data processing.
- Development of a mobile application for field checks based on a photo and, in case of doubt, fingerprints, and provided with a right of consultation for law enforcement.
- Execution of the necessary ICT developments in accordance with EU Regulation 2017/2226, with the deployment of 11 ICT profiles.
Project code: BMVI-120-001
Project duration: 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2027
Budget: 2.136.200,00 EUR (1.602.150,00 EUR via BMVI & 534.050,00 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
This project provides for the continuity and long-term maintenance of the essential border control systems (EES, ETIAS and BORDERTASK) for the period 2025-2027. Continuous updates and adaptive maintenance are required to keep pace with the phased European roll-out by eu-LISA and changing legislation.
Objectives & actions
- Ensuring the continuous 24/7 operation and stability of BORDERTASK, EES and ETIAS at all Belgian border control posts.
- Recruitment of 13 ICT profiles for structural maintenance, bug fixing and support services.
- Implementation of the necessary system upgrades in accordance with the latest European specifications.
Project code: AMIF-124-001
Project duration: 01/01/2025 - 30/06/2026
Budget: 2.394.706,67 EUR (1.796.030,00 EUR via AMIF & 598.676,67 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
RAAVIS QUATER optimises the DB REPAT system and related applications (RAAVIS, iNetwork), aimed at more efficient repatriation processes and cooperation between the services involved, on the basis of the to-be analysis of June 2021.
Objectives & actions
- Automation of the allocation of escorts with digital calendar management, and digitisation of the UAM form (MENA) for better cooperation between Justice, DVZ and the Integrated Police (GPI).
- Extension of RAAVIS functionalities (access for DVZ staff during joint actions) and further development of the data export via DEFBASE.
- Extension of external links with DVZ/OE and Justice (electronic assignments), Frontex and Amadeus (flight and reservation management) and Belgian Travel (flight data).
Project code: AMIF-048-073
Project duration: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024
Budget: 2.394.706,67 EUR (1.796.030,00 EUR via AMIF & 598.676,67 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
RAAVIS/iRAAVIS is the application for entering data on irregular stay, at the border and on the territory; the reports are sent via electronic messages (EDI) to DVZ/OE through the message broker of the FPS Home Affairs. The old Delphi applications, which fall outside the scope of i-Police, must be rewritten to .NET C# for maintenance reasons under Windows 10.
Objectives & actions
- Rewriting of RAAVIS into a .NET C# client-server application with mobile field entry, migration to a central database, and replacement of the document manager.
- UAM (MENA) project: faster transfer of information to the Guardianship Service at Justice for apprehended unaccompanied foreign minors.
- Integration of the legacy Removals DB of the LPA BRUNAT into RAAVIS, and implementation of the SIS Recast requirements for the notification of orders to leave the territory (OLT).
Project code: BMVI-031-065
Project duration: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024
Budget: 1.226.610,00 EUR (919.957,50 EUR via BMVI & 306.652,50 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
New European SIS regulations introduce new types of alerts (including inquiry checks, preventive alerts for children and vulnerable persons, alerts for orders to leave the territory, mandatory entry bans), access for FRONTEX, EUROJUST and EUROPOL, and the possibility of adding facial images and DNA to alerts. The implementation was delayed due to problems with the Smals contracts.
Objectives & actions
- Functional and technical adaptations to the National Copy SIS (N.SIS) and to national police applications (ANG, KIK, etc.), with automation of person-related alerts and new expiry dates.
- Deployment of seven external ICT profiles for half a year to continue the developments started under ISF Borders.
Project code: BMVI-121-001
Project duration: 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2027
Budget: 2.233.221,16 EUR (1.562.999,99 EUR via BMVI & 670.221,17 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
The second-generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) connects a central system (C.SIS II) with a national system (N.SIS II) per Member State, via an encrypted communication infrastructure, and is used by border guards, customs, visa authorities and law enforcement. In accordance with Regulation (EC) 1987/2006, the system must operate 24/7.
Objectives & actions
- Ensuring the permanent operation of N.SIS II through adaptive maintenance.
- Providing trained and qualified ICT staff for this 24/7 operation.
Project code: BMVI-030-061
Project duration: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024
Budget: 2.084.000,00 EUR (1.563.000,00 EUR via BMVI & 521.000,01 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
The SIS II system must function continuously and without errors. The SIS II TER project provided a qualified core team of ICT specialists for the daily management, 24/7 on-call duty and adaptive maintenance of the N.SIS II infrastructure.
Objectives & actions
- Organisation of a permanent 24/7 stand-by service for the N.SIS II in order to meet European obligations.
- Support for the communication interfaces between N.SIS and C.SIS and support at mainframe level.
- Carrying out mandatory system tests upon the accession of new Schengen Member States.
Project code: BMVI-139-001
Project duration: 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2028
Budget: 1.314.420,33 EUR (1.182.978,30 EUR via BMVI & 131.442,03 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
The project integrates and optimises ETIAS, EES and the SIRENE system for the Belgian context, in connection with BORDERTASK. Repeated delays in the European launch of ETIAS and EES made the original budget insufficient for the full implementation, hence the need for additional resources for the remaining development and integration work, with priority for the most critical elements.
Objectives & actions
- Completion of the link between ETIAS and EES and BORDERTASK and integration of SIRENE, including on the e-gates, in staffed and unstaffed control environments.
- Replacement of outdated desktop equipment required for the operation of the new systems.
- Strengthening of the operational capacity of the national ETIAS unit (Crisis Centre) and of the processing of SIRENE security alerts.
Project code: BMVI-129-001
Project duration: 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2027
Budget: 530.847,98 EUR (398.135,99 EUR via BMVI & 132.711,99 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
Article 8 of the Schengen Borders Code requires a thorough check of identity, nationality and document authenticity at the border, including by means of biometric passport readers and digital fingerprint scanners. Such devices were previously purchased with support from ISF Borders for what were then 123 control lanes, and are urgently due for replacement because of intensive use.
Objectives & actions
- Targeted replacement of outdated and defective control equipment at the border crossing points.
- Guaranteeing correct, efficient and EU-compliant border controls for the Federal Police.
Project code: AMIF-043-072
Project duration: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024
Budget: 266.666,67 EUR (200.000,00 EUR via AMIF & 66.666,67 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
An audit by the General Inspectorate (AIG) of the removal process resulted in recommendations in six domains: policy and strategy, structure and organisation, information and communication, leadership/culture/deontology, human resources and material resources. The previous AMIF project Improvement Programme RAPAT already realised many of these recommendations, validated by the AIG, but a number of long-term points require further follow-up, including the continuity of an expert within the directorate.
Objectives & actions
- Recruitment of a temporary policy advisor as a liaison between the directorate and the staff of the removals service.
- Methodological and administrative support in developing a uniform removal process for all LPA units (first phase: Gosselies).
- Acting as SPOC for FRONTEX requests and processes, managing the staff who book escorts, and follow-up of the policy plan and the vision paper.
Project code: AMIF-045-071
Project duration: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2025
Budget: 671.960,00 EUR (503.970,00 EUR via AMIF & 167.990,00 EUR via national budget)
Status: Completed
Context & objectives
In the period 2022-2027, eleven Federal Police vehicles used for carrying out removal operations must be replaced, in accordance with the recommendations of the competent commissions. This project provides for the purchase of five of these vehicles: three in 2023 and two in 2024, of the same type and with the same equipment as the vehicles previously purchased with the Return Fund.
Objectives & actions
- Purchase of three vehicles in 2023 and two vehicles in 2024.
- Vehicles of the same type and with the same equipment as the purchases made via the Return Fund.
Project code: AMIF-132-002
Project duration: 01/01/2026 - 31/12/2027
Budget: 299.999,99 EUR (224.999,99 EUR via AMIF & 75.000,00 EUR via national budget)
Status: Ongoing
Context & objectives
Follow-up phase of the replacement of the vehicle fleet for removal operations (eleven vehicles in total over the period 2022-2027), in accordance with the recommendations of the competent commissions.
Objectives & actions
- Purchase of four vehicles, planned in 2026 and 2027.