EEA FINANCIAL MECHANISM THE NORWEGIAN FINANCIAL MECHANISM

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1 EEA FINANCIAL MECHANISM THE NORWEGIAN FINANCIAL MECHANISM New partnerships for cohesion

2 THE EEA ENLAGREMENT The EEA EFTA states have a history of cohesion funding: - The Financial Mechanism The Financial Instrument The Financial Mechanisms June 2005 Brussels 2

3 ALLOCATIONS Poland Czech 10 pct Slovakia Slovenia Malta Hungary Poland 47 pct Lithuania Latvia Cyprus Hungary 11 pct Spain Greece Estonia Czech Republic Portugal 13 June 2005 Brussels 3

4 BREAK-DOWN OF ALLOCATIONS (country-by-country in millions) Poland Hungary Czech Rep Slovakia Lithuania Latvia Spain Greece Estonia Portugal Slovenia Cyprus Malta TOTAL 1, June 2005 Brussels 4

5 PRIORITIES Protection of the environment Sustainable development European cultural heritage Human resources development Health and childcare Research Additions under the Norwegian FM Implementation of Schengen acquis Regional policy Cross-border activities Technical assistance for implementation of EU acquis 13 June 2005 Brussels 5

6 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Each Beneficiary State signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for both the EEA and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (the EEA FM MoU only for Spain, Portugal, Greece) The MoUs contain: -a framework agreement - Annex A: managerial set-up - Annex B: further specifications within priority areas - Annex C: further specifications of forms of grant support, for example NGO funds 13 June 2005 Brussels 6

7 Almost all 13 beneficiary states have signed both MoUs STATE OF PLAY Beneficiary states that have signed their MoUs are preparing to take the step from preparatory to implementation stage The first steps will be to launch their first open calls for proposals, and to set up special funds such as Seed Money funds, NGO funds and funds for technical assistance From signing ceremony of MoU between the EEA-EFTA states and the Czech Rep From signing ceremony of MoU between the EEA-EFTA states and Poland 13 June 2005 Brussels 7

8 STATE OF PLAY The Czech Republic was the first beneficiary state with an open call on 18 May this year, announcing a total 10.7 million available for Individual Projects Slovenia became the 2nd beneficiary state to announce an open call on 31 May, with a call worth a total 14.1 million for Individual Projects spread over four deadlines spread out over the commitment period The other beneficiary states that have signed their MoUs plan to follow suit with open calls either before the summer recess or early autumn. 13 June 2005 Brussels 8

9 ORGANISATION Coordination between the two mechanisms for end recipents the mechanisms should reprecent one system as far as possible - one Focal Point -one FMO - one application form The Financial Mechanism Committee (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) make decisions for the EEA Financial Mechanism; the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs make decisions for the Norwegian Financial Mechanism The FMO one-stop shop for all 13 June 2005 Brussels 9

10 APPLICATION PROCEDURE Applicant Applicant Applicant National Focal Point FMO Screening by the EC NMFA FMC 13 June 2005 Brussels 10

11 PROJECT CYCLE Applicants send applications to Focal Point Focal Point reviews the applications If the review is positive, the application is forwarded to the FMO An appraisal of the complete application is carried out by an independent agent After the appraisal, the EU Commission screens the applications The FMO gives the FMC/Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs a reasoned recommendation The FMC/Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends the Focal Point a grant offer letter or a reasoned refusal Signing of grant agreement 13 June 2005 Brussels 11

12 TYPES OF PROJECT ASSISTANCE Promoters/intermediaries select the appropriate type of project assistance: Individual Projects normally 250,000 or more Programmes or groups of projects Or apply for specific types of grant assistance: Block grants such as NGO funds Seed money to support the development of promising ideas 13 June 2005 Brussels 12

13 POTENTIAL END-RECIPIENTS Applicants must be registered as legal entities in the relevant beneficiary state Eligible applicants: public and private entities, NGOs e.g. national/regional/local authorities, education/research institutions, environmental bodies, voluntary organisations, public-private partnerships etc Applicants may form partnerships/consortiums with outside actors from across the EEA 13 June 2005 Brussels 13

14 CO-FINANCING Contributions from one mechanism may in general not exceed 60% of project costs Contributions for projects co-financed by government budget allocations may go up to 85% European Community ceilings for co-financing are not to be exceeded in any case 13 June 2005 Brussels 14

15 DISBURSEMENTS Disbursements are normally made as reimbursements of already incurred costs except: Up to 10% advance payments for individual projects and programmes Partial advance payments for block grants and seed money Disbursements will be made as quarterly reimbursments of already incurred costs 13 June 2005 Brussels 15

16 WEB SITES FMO