How to Prepare a Good Proposal?

Transcription

1 How to Prepare a Good Proposal? Danmark, 11. juni 2015 Bent Jepsen, NEEMO-ELLE

2 Facts of LIFE 1) There is significant competition for LIFE funds 2

3 Submission Trend (Total) CLIMA proposals are included in ENV and INF strands

4 Success Rate

5 Facts of LIFE 2) You can't get a grant if you don't submit an application. 5

6 Dates Call for Proposals launch: 1 June 2015 Deadline for submission by applicants of traditional projects: 15 September climate action sub-programme 1 October 2015 environment & resource efficiency 7 October 2015 nature & biodiversity, environmental governance & information 30 October 2015 preparatory projects Earliest project start date: 15 June 2016 for climate subprogramme, 1 July (Env&Resource efficiency, GIE, 7 July NAT projects) 6

7 Facts of LIFE 3) It takes time and money to prepare an application 7

8 Facts of LIFE 4) Proposals that fail are poorly prepared or simply not as good as the others - funding is limited 8

9 Information Sources LIFE Regulation priority areas MAWP (Multi-annual work-programme) project topics Application Packages Guides for evaluation of LIFE project proposals LIFE Web site It contains everything you need 9

10 Who Can Apply? Beneficiaries could be: Public bodies Private companies Non-profit entities, including NGOs Coordinating beneficiary must be based in the EU, associated beneficiaries can be located in non-eu countries (territories to which the European Treaty applies) 10

11 EU Contribution For most projects, maximum EU contribution is 60% of total eligible costs ( period) For nature projects that focus on priority habitats/species of the Birds and Habitats Directives and that allocate at least 50% of costs to concrete conservation actions up to 75% Capacity building projects 100% NGO Operating Grants 100% 11

12 Components of the 2015 LIFE Call "Traditional" Projects: LIFE Nature and Biodiversity (NAT) LIFE Environment and Resource Efficiency (ENV) LIFE Environmental Governance and Information (GIE) LIFE Climate Change Mitigation (CCM) LIFE Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) LIFE Climate Governance and Information (GIC)

13 Types of Projects Preparatory Projects Integrated Projects Technical Assistance Projects Capacity Building Projects (Separate: NGO Operating Grants; Financial Instruments)

14 Distinct Approaches Best Practice applies appropriate, cost-effective, state-of-the-art techniques and methods for the conservation of species/habitats. Testing and evaluating of best practice techniques should NOT be part of the project as they are already state of the art. Monitoring, however, is obligatory. 14

15 Distinct Approaches Demonstration puts into practice, tests, evaluates and disseminates actions, methods or approaches that are to new or unfamiliar in the project s specific context and that could be applied elsewhere in similar circumstances. Monitoring, evaluating and dissemination are integral parts of the demonstration approach. 15

16 Application Package (per project type, per priority area) Guidelines for Applicants (and forms) Evaluation Guidelines Model Grant Agreement and Common Provisions Comparative Document (is LIFE the right instrument? Which strand?): vs. Horizon 2020 (vs. structural funds)? NAT vs. BIO vs. ENV vs. CCA vs. CCM // GIE vs. GIC? 16

17 Priority areas: The Union Biodiversity Strategy 2020 Birds and Habitats Directives LIFE NAT Projects Projects that support the management of NATURA 2000 network Development, implementation, monitoring, assessment, evaluation of EU nature and biodiversity policy and legislation Multi-annual work-programme defines project topics (not mandatory, but projects that clearly fit under these topics get points during evaluation 10 for NAT, Env&Resource Efficiency, GIE) Handbook on financing NATURA 2000 Part I (May 2014 version): k.pdf Part II: analysis of measures eligible for financing: 000financingHandbook_part2.pdf 17

18 Five priority sectors: LIFE ENV Projects Water, including marine environment Waste Resource efficiency, including soil and forest, green and circular economy Environment and health Air quality Annex III of the LIFE Regulation describes thematic priorities within these five sectors Projects topics are defined in the MAWP projects that clearly and fully fit under the topics get extra points during the evaluation 18

19 LIFE GIE Projects (Environmental Governance and Information) Specific objectives of GIE projects are: Awareness raising on environmental issues Communication and information dissemination, sharing of successful environmental practices, training, developing cooperation among stakeholders Contribution to better implementation of EU environmental legislation Promoting better environmental governance Annex III of the LIFE Regulation describes priorities for GIE projects Projects topics are defined in the MAWP projects that clearly and fully fit under the topics get extra points during the evaluation 10 for GIE projects 19

20 LIFE Climate Change Mitigation (CCM) Policy priorities for 2015: Energy intensive industries Replacement of ozone-depleting substances Land use, land use change and forestry (=2014 policy priority)

21 CCM Priority 1: Energy Intensive Industries Significant investments in industrial innovation and demonstration plants are required to reach EU's 2030 climate and energy framework targets, therefore LIFE will support in particular: Energy intensive industries, especially exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage Development and demonstration of innovative/ cost-effective technologies to reduce emission intensity of manufacturing & process industries Design, demonstration and implementation of breakthrough solutions in industrial manufacture or processes with longterm impact new raw-materials that allow a reduction in specific GHG emission

22 CCM Priority 2: Replacement of ozone-depleting substances EU aims to replace ODS by climate-friendly alternatives by e.g. phasing-down of sales of HFCs (80% by 2030) and use of other fluorinated gases ( times more climate-warming properties than CO2). LIFE will support e.g.: innovation/demonstration projects showing the use of low Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternatives in e.g. air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, heatpumps, electric switchgears, production processes in electronic industry, metered dose inhalers/ "asthma sprays" new blowing agents for insulation foam new non-halon fire-fighting systems (for ships and aircraft) alternatives for laboratory and analytical use of ODS

23 CCM Priority 3: Land use, land use change and forestry (1) Key challenge: collecting carbon data from land use/ soils/ forests; developing rules that are practicable at EU/ global scale. LIFE will support: in the land use sector, e.g. landscape and land management strategies/ practices which limit emissions Creation of local, (cross-)regional concepts for enhancing and maintaining carbon storage potential of soils Greenhouse gas monitoring and accounting of land use, e.g. improve monitoring and accounting of carbon stocks, effects of loss of grasslands or peatlands Contribution to LULUCF accounting rules

24 CCM Priority 3: Land use, land use change and forestry (2) Sustainable use of solid biomass, e.g. new approaches for production, consumption of biomass, in a sustainable way transformation into long term carbon stores Agriculture, e.g. implementation of low carbon farming practices with a transformational impact, or which increase carbon storage/ levels of organic soil matter analysis and development of improvements for existing climate measures under the CAP, e.g. with regards to the potential carbon sequestration and carbon storage potentials

25 LIFE Climate Change Adaptation Policy Priorities for 2015 Policy priorities remain the same as in the 2014 call Vulnerable areas indicated in the EU Adaptation Strategy: cross-border floods management, cross-border coastal management urban environment mountain and island areas drought-prone areas (water, desertification, fire risks) Green infrastructure and ecosystem-based approaches Vulnerability assessments and adaptation strategies, including those with a cross-border nature Encourage proposals on urban adaptation 25

26 LIFE Climate Change Adaptation the Urban Environment Developing and implementing local adaptation strategies in the framework of "Mayors Adapt" Developing and deploying innovative adaptation technologies in urban areas, including in the water, energy and construction sectors Promoting and developing green infrastructure in cities Projects contributing at the same time to climate mitigation and adaptation and nature conservation and biodiversity objectives in urban areas 26

27 LIFE Climate Governance and Information (1) Climate governance and capacity-building are strongly encouraged, not pure awareness raising activities. LIFE projects should e.g.: build national 2030 climate and energy strategies and design effective investment programmes through e.g. exchange of good practice enhance monitoring and reporting, e.g. a solid system for tracking progress (EU ETS impacts etc.) 27

28 LIFE Climate Governance and Information (2) focus on training for industry on the implementation of new climate legislation ("train the trainers") build coordination platforms on climate policy monitoring, assessment, ex-post evaluation (for adaptation incl. adaptation indicators, risk communication and management) focus on the exchange of best practice and awareness raising on climate change vulnerabilities and adaptation options 28

29 Which Subprogramme? Environment Projects falling under one of the project topics Climate mitigation or adaptation is a byproduct but not the central objective Clear link to the specific objectives for the three environmental priority areas Climate Climate mitigation or adaptation is the main goal Clear link to the specific objectives for the three climate action priority areas

30 Be AWARE READ the application guidelines Be SURE that LIFE is the appropriate funding programme for you: LIFE is not a structural fund: do not see it as an operational business financing tool Be AWARE of all the exceptions that may apply to you Ensure financial coherence; Watch COST EFFECTIVENESS FOCUS - Do NOT include actions not related to the objective of your proposal Remember: If your project doesn't fit a priority project topic, you will receive fewer points! The SELECTION procedure of LIFE is very tough, thorough and detailed. 30

31 Project Budget Only costs incurred for actions implemented during project life-time can be eligible! Personnel 2% rule for public bodies Daily rate based on gross salary + contributions according to the national legislation (social security, pension, etc.) Travel costs according to internal rules of project beneficiaries External assistance not more than 35% of the total budget Durable goods 100% for NAT projects, for the rest, only depreciation costs can be financed by the Union support (up to 25% for infrastructure, up to 50% for equipment), has to bear LIFE logo Prototypes 100% if developed specifically for LIFE project, cannot be used for commercial purposes at least 5 years after the project end Public tender mandatory for contracts above 130,000 Public entities must comply with national legislation Good value for money has to be demonstrated even if public tender is not necessary 31

32 2% rule - example Example of budget: Personnel Non-additional 105 Additional staff 20 External Assistance 50 Equipment 25 LIFE contribution = up to 60% but Minimum own contribution from public beneficiaries = % = 107,10 Maximum LIFE contribution = 92,90 32

33 Thank you for your attention!