6 of immigration liaison officers in third countries, and Cyprus are using BMVI resources to run the and measures to increase capacity to render assis- hotspots on the Greek islands and in Pournara, tance to persons in distress at sea and to support even though these centres have been consistently search and rescue (SAR) operations in the context documented as having challenging conditions. of border surveillance at sea. The analysis further shows that the European Commission has so far (2) Use of technology for large-scale IT systems channelled additional 219 million euros to national and databases. 36.30% of national programmes programmes via Specific Actions (7% of national funds are dedicated to developing and expanding programmes funds) to support the purchase of databases and information systems, as well as technical equipment needed by Frontex, and the enhancing their interoperability. This investment development of large-scale IT systems and the is crucial for operationalizing systems that form interoperability of those systems. These actions the architecture of large-scale EU border-crossing are 100% covered by the Union budget. databases, including Eurodac, Entry-Exit Systems, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), and the Schengen Information Chapter 2 System. of expenditures, using a classification system (3) Assistance and protection. Only 0.04% developed by ECRE and PIUM for the purpose of of the funding in Member States’ programmes comparing different types of border management is allocated to initiatives designed to increase measures across Member States’ programmes. support and assistance to people with vulnerabil- These categories and the funding allocated to each ities and people wishing to apply for international are as follows: protection. Among these, only Croatia and Finland The second chapter analyses six categories have earmarked funds for such priorities, while (1) Infrastructure and equipment. 35.66% details about these measures are sparsely of national programmes funds is dedicated to documented. strengthening infrastructure and equipment. While the European Commission has ruled out the pos- (4) Strategy and human capacity. 24.59% is sibility of using BMVI funding for walls and fences, allocated to strengthening internal strategic and Member States can use it to finance the renovation human resources for the border management and establishment of buildings and permanent capacity of Member States. This includes the surveillance infrastructures, including in countries development of risk analysis capabilities, inter- with track records of pushbacks or unlawful agency cooperation at both national and Union detention at borders. The funding is also being level, and operating support, such as training for used to increase border controls with new technol- personnel. ogies and the deployment of artificial intelligence measures. Other activities include the acquisition of police dogs, as well as vehicles for the transportation of people apprehended at borders. Greece