1interreg ivb north west europe interreg ivb programme north-west europe info days 1st call for...

1Interreg IVB North West Europe

INTERREG IVB Programme North-West Europe

INFO DAYS 1st call for proposals

All you need to know to prepare your application

Paris, Conseil régional Ile-de-France13 Septembre 2007

NWE Secretariat, Lille


Content

1. Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe2. Features of the 1st call3. 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


The added value of transnational cooperation

1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe

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


NWE eligible area

Only difference with IIIB:

All of Switzerland is now

participating



Some key figures

844,239 square km 21% of EU25 area 179 million people 39,5% of EU25 population 307 inhabitants/km2 EU25 average 118 inhabitants/km2 75% of population live in urbanised areas with more than 500 inhabitants/km2 23% of cooperation area is sparsely populated (180,000 km2)



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)



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



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



Budget per Priority

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Priority 1 -Innovation

Priority 2 -Environment

Priority 3 -Transport & ICT

Priority 4 -ProsperousCommunities

Priority 5 -Technical

Assistance

EU

R m

illio

ns



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

What is new in IVB?



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

Higher quality requirements



Check if the priorities of the Programme match your own Network transnationally through the Contact Points, seminars and

the Secretariat Register Project Idea on website Arrange meeting with the Secretariat to discuss the project (specific

advice given on content, finances and management) Calls for Proposals: Twice a year

How to get started?



2

Features of the 1st call


No fixed budget Expected 1st Callers per priority:

Expected 1st callers

2 Features of the 1st Call

Number of expected projects

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

PR 1 PR 2 PR 3 PR 4


Call opens: 17th September 2007

Call closes: 15th October 2007, 7pm

1st Programme Steering Committee Meeting: 13-14 December

Dates

2 Features of the 1st Call


3

Project selection procedure


Two calls for proposals per year Properly filled-in application form (1st call: Word and Excel documents) Official annexes (Partnership Agreement and Letters of Support)

Assessment report prepared by the SecretariatPrinciple: project development and assessment in separate handsEligibility of projects

Final decision made by the Programme Steering Committee Selection of projects to be approved Decision on conditions or major modifications

Project Selection Procedure

3 Project selection procedure


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.

Eligibility Criteria (i)



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.

Eligibility Criteria (ii)



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).

Eligibility Criteria (iii)



I Capacity, quality and intensity of cooperationSel.1: the project involves a high level of transnational cooperation

II General approachSel.2: the project adopts an innovative approach to tackle the territorial challenges of NWESel.3: the project will promote cross-sector integration

III Overall quality: competitiveness, sustainability and cohesionSel.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 developmentSel.5: the project increases the environmental sustainability of NWE in response to the Gothenburg

agenda for more sustainable developmentSel.6:The project achieves a stronger territorial balance of NWE by reducing regional disparities

reflecting the aim of the EU Cohesion Policy

Selection Criteria (i)



IV Durability and leverage effectSel.7: The project takes into account earlier EU-funded programmes. It represents a significant

added-value compared to already approved projectsSel.8: The bidding partnership is consistent, i.e. it brings together the relevant partners with the

capacity to deliver and make use of project resultsSel.9: The project provides good prospect for long-lasting activity and leverage for extra investment

V Management and communication strategySel.10: The project has an effective communication strategy. The results and experience acquired

by the project will be transferable and clearly communicatedSel.11: The project financial and management structure is sound and presents good prospect for a

quick start and efficient running

VI Value for moneySel.12:The individual elements of the project budget breakdown are reasonable compared to their

market priceSel.13:The project budget represents good value for money as it is proportionate to the expected

outputs and results

Selection Criteria (ii)



4

How to apply – the content of the Application Form Project design Project Partnership Project Management Structure Eligibility of Project Expenditure


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

4 How to apply – the content of the Application Form

Project Design


The Application Form

1 IN SHORT – Basic information on your project2 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 project6 WHO needs to know WHAT? How you are going to promote your

project to your audiences?7 FORMALITIES – Confirmation, certification and signature




The Keep it Short and Simple principle. Remember that not everybody has an expertise in the field you are dealing with. Explain your project as simply and precisely as possible.

The Application Form has to be filled in in English. Only the project summary (section 1.6-1.8) needs to be translated into each of the partners’ languages.




1 IN SHORT – Basic information on your project This section should provide basic information on your project. Once a project is approved, this

section will be published in our online project database.

2 THE BIGGER PICTURE – In what way you are contributing to the Programmes’ Objectives? Within INTERREG IVB NWE, a project’s approval will not only depend on the merits of its own application; it will also need to prove that it complies with the Programme’s aims and, more specifically with the Priority Objective(s) as outlined in the Operational Programme. This section is devoted to exploring your project’s possible contribution to the “Bigger Picture”.




3 WHY, WHAT and HOW? WHAT you would like to achieve and HOW are you going to achieve it? This section deals with the “core” of your project. You are asked to describe:

WHY there is a need for your project (section 3.1) WHAT you would like to achieve with your project (section 3.2), i.e. which are your aims and

objectives HOW (section 3.3) you are going to reach your objectives, and By WHICH MEANS you are going to reach your objectives (section 3.4). Please cluster all

your activities within work packages (max.6). WP should cluster different actions and related outputs, according to a common objective.




4 WHO? WHO is going to contribute to your project?

In this section, you are asked to describe your project partnership in detail. In order to reflect a fully functioning partnership, please ensure that a Partnership Agreement is negotiated between project partners and tailored to the project’s needs. At least a draft copy of the Partnership Agreement must be submitted with this application form as annex 1 (see CHECKLIST). The final Partnership Agreement will have to be signed and sent to the JTS before the first payment claim. Please find further information on project partnerships in Guidance Note 3.




5 WHICH BUDGET? The finances of your project In this section you are asked to describe your project budget in detail. To ease the handling

with financial figures, an Excel file is provided.

6 WHO needs to know WHAT? How are you going to promote your project to your audiences? The Communication Strategy must be prepared and budgeted for well before the Project is approved. Target audiences are the people who care or should care about the project’s outcomes, they need to be contacted and engaged progressively all along the Project lifecycle to ensure that they are not overwhelmed with information when the Project delivers tangible results, and can contribute to the success of the project either directly or indirectly.

All the project partners must agree on who to engage (target audiences), why to engage them (objectives) and how to engage their support (messages + actions).

7 FORMALITIES – Confirmation, certification and signature



Project Structure

PROGRAMME PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES

PROJECT AIM

Project objective 1 Project objective 2

Work package 1 Work package 2

• Action 1.1

• Action 1.2

• ...

• Action 2.1

• ...

• Output 1.1

• Output 1.2

• ...

• Output 2.1

• ...

Strategy and methodology

Project mangement and communication

Project objective X

Work package X

• Action X.1

• ...

• Output X.1

• ...



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



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)



Project Partnership (iii)

Partners from outside the eligible area and within the EU territory

possible according to the new EU regulations

must be crucial to the Programme and must have a positive effect on the NWE area

the Member State of this partner will need to sign an agreement with the Programme Managing Authority

Partners from outside the EU:

no problem for Swiss partners (part of the eligible area); however they are not entitled to receive ERDF; but Swiss federal funding is available

in theory, possible; but in practice difficult



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



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

Project Management Structure (ii)



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.



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)



5

Project implementation


Reporting

Activity Report and Payment Claim submitted to the Secretariat

Implementation of the approved Action Plan by the partners

Twice a year

Required documents for each claim: Completed Audited Payment Claim and Activity Report

Completed expenditure verification sheets

Supporting Documents for Activity Report

5 Project Implementation


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

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 Project Partner

Payment Claim Flow

Money Flow

Cash Flow



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



Key references for project development

6 Further Reading

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


GOOD LUCK &Fingers crossed!

1interreg ivb north west europe interreg ivb programme north-west europe info days 1st call for...

Documents

north west europe programme

ivb nwe priority

project development

nwe area

lille slide

project implementation

project level priorities

nwe secretariat