INTERREG IVB Programme North-West Europe INFO DAYS 1st call for proposals All you need to know to prepare your application NWE Secretariat, Lille 1
Content 1. Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe 2. Features of the 1st call 3. Project selection procedure 4. How to apply the content of the Application Form Project design Project Partnership Eligibility and Selection Criteria Project Management Structure Eligibility of Project Expenditures 5. Project Implementation 6. Key references for project development 2
1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe 3
1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe The added value of transnational cooperation Find transnational solutions to problems that go beyond borders Find efficient and innovative solutions for common problems using knowledge from other countries and regions Participation in transnational exchange networks Reinforce the image, opportunity and European expertise of your region Build a common culture of cooperation and territorial development Take advantage of the significant budget for projects covering a large and coherent geographic zone 4
1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe NWE eligible area Only difference with IIIB: All of Switzerland is now participating 5
1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe Aim of the Programme The North West Europe Programme aims to capitalise on the cooperation between key actors to address territorial issues across the NWE area. This is in order to contribute to the NWE s economic competitiveness while equally promoting regionally balanced and sustainable development Cross cutting themes To strengthen the economic competitiveness (Lisbon agenda) To increase the environmental sustainability (Gothenburg agenda) To achieve a stronger territorial balance (EU Cohesion Policy) 6
1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe Thematic Priorities for IVB NWE Priority 1: Developing the NWE knowledge-based economy by capitalising on our capacity for innovation Priority 2: Sustainable management of natural resources and of natural and technological risks Priority 3: Improving connectivity in NWE by promoting intelligent and sustainable transport and ICT solutions Priority 4: Promoting strong and prosperous communities at transnational level 7
1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe NWE Budget Total ERDF funding available: EUR 355 million Maximum grant rate: 50% at partner and project level (Priorities 1-4) Total budget: EUR 696 million + ERDF funds are allocated per Priority 8
1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe Budget per Priority 100 90 80 70 EUR millions 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Priority 1 - Innovation Priority 2 - Environment Priority 3 - Transport & ICT Priority 4 - Prosperous Communities Priority 5 - Technical Assistance 9
1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe What is new in IVB? Lisbon and Gothenburg focus (= whole EU regional policy) NWE projects are expected to be more operational, demonstrate tangible results to the common benefit of all partners, beyond a mere exchange of experience : no study projects! Demonstration that the partnership clearly capitalises on existing results (earlier EU funded projects etc) : no repetition/ duplication! New approach on Strategic initiatives 10
1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe Higher quality requirements Transnationality! Tangible and innovative results Impact: long-term perspective, laying the ground for further investments Types of projects: action projects, small-scale investments Integrated approach: vertical, horizontal and geographical cooperation Consistent bidding partnership 11
2 Features of the 1st call 12
2 Features of the 1st Call Expected 1st callers No fixed budget, ceiling or similar Expected 1st Callers per priority: Number of expected projects 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 PR 1 PR 2 PR 3 PR 4 13
2 Features of the 1st Call Dates Call opens: 17th September 2007 Call closes: 15th October 2007, 7pm 1st Programme Steering Committee Meeting: 13-14 December 14
3 Project selection procedure 15
3 Project selection procedure Project Selection Procedure Two calls for proposals per year Properly filled-in application form (1 st call: Word and Excel documents) Official annexes (Partnership Agreement and Letters of Support) Assessment report prepared by the Secretariat Principle: project development and assessment in separate hands Eligibility of projects Final decision made by the Programme Steering Committee Selection of projects to be approved Decision on conditions or major modifications 16
3 Project selection procedure Eligibility Criteria (i) 1 Lead Partner is an organisation within the eligible area. 2 Lead Partner is a public or a public-similar organisation. 3 The project is transnational: projects involve co-operating partners from at least two different countries (one of which from the NWE area). 4 Each partner is contributing to project funding. 5 Each partner will be active in the development and implementation of the joint action plan. 6 The scope of the project renders it ineligible under cross-border programmes as mapped by the European Commission. 7 The project addresses at least one of the objectives within the priorities defined in the Operational Programme. 8 The project tackles the territorial challenges of NWE. 17
3 Project selection procedure Eligibility Criteria (ii) 9 The following types of projects will be supported: action projects, small-scale investments, and feasibility or supporting studies where these can be linked to concrete actions. Study projects without concrete actions will not be supported. 10 The project does not receive any other Community grant and there is no double-financing of expenditure with other Community or national schemes and with other programming periods. 11 The solvency of the project Lead Partner is demonstrated or covered by a bank guarantee. The solvency of public bodies is assumed. 12 The Lead Partner confirmed that the mutual financial and legal responsibilities of the project partners have been defined in a Partnership Agreement. 13 All sections of the application form have been properly and accurately filled in, signed and submitted on time. 14 The project will be completed by 30 September 2015. 18
3 Project selection procedure Eligibility Criteria (iii) 15 The willingness for project partners to engage in the partnership has been fully demonstrated by a complete set of Letters of Support 16 The project does not contravene EU legislation (in particular the rules applying to the eligibility of expenditure of Structural Fund support, to competition policy, to State aid, to environmental impact assessment and to equal opportunities). 19
3 Project selection procedure Selection Criteria (i) I Capacity, quality and intensity of cooperation Sel.1: the project involves a high level of transnational cooperation II General approach Sel.2: the project adopts an innovative approach to tackle the territorial challenges of NWE Sel.3: the project will promote cross-sector integration III Overall quality: competitiveness, sustainability and cohesion Sel.4: the project strengthens the economic competitiveness of NWE in response to the Lisbon agenda for growth and jobs; it capitalises on different regional potentials for development Sel.5: the project increases the environmental sustainability of NWE in response to the Gothenburg agenda for more sustainable development Sel.6:The project achieves a stronger territorial balance of NWE by reducing regional disparities reflecting the aim of the EU Cohesion Policy 20
3 Project selection procedure Selection Criteria (ii) IV Durability and leverage effect Sel.7: The project takes into account earlier EU-funded programmes. It represents a significant added-value compared to already approved projects Sel.8: The bidding partnership is consistent, i.e. it brings together the relevant partners with the capacity to deliver and make use of project results Sel.9: The project provides good prospect for long-lasting activity and leverage for extra investment V Management and communication strategy Sel.10: The project has an effective communication strategy. The results and experience acquired by the project will be transferable and clearly communicated Sel.11: The project financial and management structure is sound and presents good prospect for a quick start and efficient running VI Value for money Sel.12:The individual elements of the project budget breakdown are reasonable compared to their market price Sel.13:The project budget represents good value for money as it is proportionate to the expected outputs and results 21
4 How to apply the content of the Application Form Project design Applicationform Project Partnership Project Management Structure Eligibility of Project Expenditure 22
4 How to apply the content of the Application Form The Application Form 1 IN SHORT Basic information on your project 2 THE BIGGER PICTURE In what way are you contributing to the Programmes Objectives? 3 WHY, WHAT and HOW? WHAT you would like to achieve and HOW are you going to achieve it? 4 WHO? WHO is going to contribute to your project? 5 WHICH BUDGET? The finances of your project 6 WHO needs to know WHAT? How you are going to promote your project to your audiences? 7 FORMALITIES Confirmation, certification and signature 23
4 How to apply the content of the Application Form The Application Form Consisting of a WORD and EXCEL document To be submitted along: (at least) a draft partnerschip agreement Letter of Support per project partner How to fill in? Word document contains guidance, further information in the project handbook Please keep it SHORT and SIMPLE The application form has to be filled in English The project summary has to be translated in all languages of the project partners 24
4 How to apply the content of the Application Form Project Design Good content of a project proposal a in-depth project description (very detailed for work packages + investments) describe the objectives and particular relevance to NWE contextualise the existing problem and show how will help address it all partners involved in the whole project throughout all stages identify and describe participants and their role describe project activities in concrete terms (clear, well-structured work packages) describe the expected concrete results and the deliverables foreseen, with quantified impacts and outputs limit investments pilots are essentially to test transnational strategy credible project budget + detailed financial plan broken down by partner 25
4 How to apply the content of the Application Form Project Structure PROGRAMME PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES Project mangement and communication PROJECT AIM Strategy and methodology Project objective 1 Project objective 2 Project objective X Work package 1 Work package 2 Work package X Action 1.1 Action 1.2... Output 1.1 Output 1.2... Action 2.1... Output 2.1... Action X.1... Output X.1... 26
4 How to apply the content of the Application Form Project Partnership (i) What is a IVB NWE Project partner? Active in implementation Contributes to match funding Partners can be public and / or private bodies National, regional and local authorities Transnational bodies and partnerships Universities, research & development agencies Non-profit organisations Private organisations if they act as "non-profit" in the context of the project 27
4 How to apply the content of the Application Form Project Partnership (ii) Lead Partner or Partner Partnership Agreement liabilities and obligations Sub-partners: official list of sub-partners to be provided with application form Partners outside the NWE area Average IIIB partnership 9 partners Timeframe: 3 4 years Total Eligible costs: EUR 6 million (EUR 3 million ERDF) 28
4 How to apply the content of the Application Form Project Management Structure (i) Sound financial and management structure A great project idea with a bad structure = bad project Poor coordination between partners = delayed or partial implementation of the Action Plan Difficulties to collect invoices = delayed ERDF payment Weak audit trail = danger of recouping ERDF 29
4 How to apply the content of the Application Form Project Management Structure (ii) Basis: Partnership agreement (signed by all project partners) Lead Partner Principle Overall responsibility for project implementation Responsibility for Project Management Signing of Subsidy Contract; Transfer of received ERDF grant to other project partners; Supervise the First Level Control of the entire project expenditure Contact with JTS Submission of Activity Reports, Payment Claims, Control Reports, project modifications 30
4 How to apply the content of the Application Form Eligibility of Expenditure (i) Reference Documents Commission Regulation (EC) 1080/2006: ERDF Regulation Project Handbook) Project Audit Guidelines (not yet available) Expenditure actually paid out is the basis for assessing eligibility under the INTERREG IVB NWE Programme. This means expenditure directly linked to the approved budget and supported by receipted invoices or documents of equivalent probative value. 31
4 How to apply the content of the Application Form Eligibility of Expenditure (ii) Eligible costs one year prior to the closure of the call for proposals starting from 01/01/2007 ultimate end date: 30 September 2015 same budget lines as for IIIB + Audit + Revenue Preparation cost (TEC 100,000) 32
5 Project implementation 33
5 Project Implementation Cash Flow Paying Authority Programme Bank Account JTS Assesses the Activity Report and the Payment Claim received Prepares the payment request to the Paying Authority Payment Claim Flow Money Flow Payment Claim Project Partner Project Lead Partner Submits an Activity Report and a Payment Claim every 6 months Reimburses the other project partners according to their expenditure Project Partner 34
5 Project Implementation Controls First level control (audit of payment claim) will be stricter than in the current IIIB Programme and will apply at partner level: requirements of the new Regulation (Article 16 of reg. No 1080/2006) system to be defined at Member State level more information in the coming months (audit guidelines ) Possible complementary audits: Member State controls at the Secretariat s request (check of 1st level control) Member State sample checks (Second Level Control) European Commission checks 35
6 Further Reading Key references for project development Operational Programme INTERREG IVB NWE Project Handbook Secretariat + Contact Points Structural Funds Regulations Council Regulation 1083/2006: General Regulation Council and Parliament Regulation 1080/2006: ERDF Regulation Commission Regulation 1828/2006: Implementing Regulation www.nweurope.org 36
GOOD LUCK & Fingers crossed! 37