Denmark is the only EU country that does not benefit from the EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) due to the opt-out from EU Justice and Home Affairs (Under the Edinburgh Agreement of 1992, Denmark holds opt-outs from EU's policies related to citizenship, justice, politicing, secure, defence, as well as the adoption of the euro since 1992 security and defence, citizenship, police and justice, and the adoption of the euro.). Non-profit organisations and local authorities receive financing through the national budget and national ministries’ funds, as well as through other EU funds such as the European Social Fund (ESF).

The Danish state spent between 6.3 and 6.7 billion DKR (approximately €840 to €895 million) on integration each year in 2017, 2018 and 2019. However, the finance ministry often refers to asylum and integration as a single category, thus increasing the total to the range of 8.7 to 11.4 billion DKR per year (or €1.16 to €1.53 billion). Most of the integration budget is spent on tasks carried out by municipalities, companies, as well as some larger NGOs through contracts awarded after public tenders.

In addition, private foundations offer funding opportunities for service providers and other stakeholders to carry out projects aiming at better integration, often with focus on vulnerable children and youth.

The funds listed below are available to migrant integration initiatives in Denmark. Non-profit organisations and local authorities can apply for financing through several EU funds. In addition, national and private funds are made available for service providers and other stakeholders to carry out projects aiming at better integration of the migrant population.

The information below will be updated once the 2021-2027 national programmes under the EU funds become available. Read more about integration governance in Denmark.

EU funds for integration

European Social Fund (ESF) in Denmark

The national managing authority for the European Social Fund (ESF) in Denmark is the Danish Ministry of Business and Growth (Erhvervsstyrelsen). The ESF allocates a total of nearly €400 million for the 2014-2020 period, more than half of which comes from EU funds.

Other EU funds for integration available in Denmark

ERASMUS+, the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe

National managing authority: Ministry of Higher Education and Science

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting regional imbalances

National managing authority: Danish Business Authority - Regional Development Unit, Danish Ministry of Business and Growth (Erhvervsstyrelsen)

Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), offering material assistance to the most vulnerable or in need

National managing authority: National Social Board (Socialstyrelsen)

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), supporting the development of rural economies and communities

National managing authority: Danish Agricultural Agency

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)

National managing authority: Danish Fisheries Agency; the EMFF  supports coastal communities in diversifying their economies and finances projects that create jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts

Other funds

Other public funding in Denmark

Funding for integration is available from the Ministry of Immigration and Integration.

Private funding in Denmark

• Egmont Fonden
• Lauritzen Fonden
• A. P. Møller Fonden
• Veluxfonden
• Tryg Fonden
• Bikuben Fonden
• Rockwool Foundation
• Skandia – idéer for Livet
• Tuborgfondet
• Nordea-Fonden
• OAK Foundation
• Novo Nordisk Foundation