INTERREG IVB Programme 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-France 13 Septembre 2007 NWE Secretariat, Lille Interreg IVB North West Europe

Interreg IVB North West Europe
Content Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe Features of the 1st call Project selection procedure How to apply – the content of the Application Form Project design Project Partnership Eligibility and Selection Criteria Project Management Structure Eligibility of Project Expenditures Project Implementation Key references for project development The status of territorial cooperation has changed and it is now raised to the level of an entirely seperate objectiove, which gives it a greater visibility and greater legal basis Cross-border cooperation embraces a geographical area larger than the previous INTERREG, mainly as far as maritime cooperation is concerned. NUTS 3 level regions are eligible, along all the land-based internal borders and some external borders, along maritime borders separetd by a max distance of 150km. Budget is 5.6 billion € = 74% Interreg IVB North West Europe

The added value of transnational cooperation
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 Improvement of social and economic cohesion. A key goal of the Union. Market liberalisation and integration strengthen the trends towards more regional disparities in Europe. Not all regions equally share the benefits of integration. The European Commission has since long acknowledged that the level of regional inequalities in the EU and the adverse impacts of the SEM and EMU on these regional disparities raise the question of the unity and cohesion of the European Union. Adverse effects can be compensated by an efficient EU structural policy in the regions. INTERREG is a small part of the wider Cohesion policy of the EU in the regions. Interdependence of regions (economic, functional…) increased by EU integration process. The growing globalisation of business activity, the Euro and the Single European Market are creating an entirely new economic and political environment. Increasingly, development activity in one place not only impacts on its neighbouring areas but also is felt on distant regions as well as across the European territory as a whole - European countries and regions are becoming closely interdependent both economically and in terms of physical infrastructure. EXAMPLES: The hinterlands of Antwerp and Rotterdam extend well beyond Belgium and the Netherlands; Better access for Ireland to the continent depends largely on measures to be taken on British soil; Water must be retained upstream of the Rhine basin to reduce risks of flooding in downstream regions; Short sea shipping can contribute to limiting the concentration of traffic on the most saturated land routes; Large cities must combine their efforts instead of devoting themselves to sterile competition in their urban marketing strategies at world level; Great transnational sections of our cultural heritage (the Roman, Gothic and Celtic heritages, industrial archaeology, art nouveau, and so on) ought to be made the most of in a coordinated way; Our green infrastructure and our countryside cannot acquire coherence without action at transnational level. Trans-national dimension of certain issues (environment, infrastructure)  requires trans-national or cross-border responses. A Common Market without internal borders, but institutional / cultural barriers remain… Most of the tangible obstacles along national borders have been removed - yet many subtle national frontiers still exist: at the borders differently structured and administered states and administrative units collide, which have different legal, administrative, economic, social and cultural systems. As a result, administrative, economic, social and political difficulties exist for cross-border spatial planning and cross-border cooperation between citizens.  Need to create a shared planning culture + a culture of co-operation Maximise the economic potential of the Single Economic Market by ensuring that infrastructure gaps, missing links and inconsistencies in spatial development patterns are minimised Increasing territorial impact of EU sectoral policies: need for co-ordination of spatial impacts of policies to ensure territorial cohesion. There is little coordination of the spatial impact of Community policies as a whole, and not always co-ordination between member-states and EU actions. The argument is that coordinating Community and member-states policies around a spatial strategy would have benefits in increasing their efficiency and effectiveness. Interreg IVB North West Europe

Only difference with IIIB:
1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe NWE eligible area Only difference with IIIB: All of Switzerland is now participating The total ERDF support for the new INTERREG III initiative: 4,875 million euro for the period (1999 prices). Strand B: 27% of INTERREG budget b€. INTERREG IIIB clearly differs from INTERREG IIIA in that: it concerns transnational (and not simply cross-border) co-operation over broader geographical areas covering more than three States (at least two of them being EU Member States). in terms of its objectives, it involves the territory more deeply and focuses specifically on questions of regional and spatial planning. Thinking in terms of transnational co-operation in Structural Fund programmes is a relatively new approach. Cross-border co-operation, i.e. between areas bordering a common national frontier, was a well-established tradition at that time and had been extensively supported by the first two INTERREG Community Initiatives. But the geographic scale was totally different, and this co-operation between neighbouring areas was quite a different story. Many regions and other potential partners of transnational co-operation programmes had little or no experience of international contacts in Perhaps they had taken part in some international conferences, where simultaneous interpretation is usually provided and interesting contacts can be made during a pleasant meal offered by the conference organiser, preferably in an exotic location. Far more demanding was the sort of exercise proposed by the INTERREG IIC Initiative. Eligible areas All EU regions are eligible under strand B. The geographical groupings are based on the areas already covered by existing INTERREG II C programmes and Article 10 pilot actions concerning transnational cooperation, adjusted to take account of experience to date. For instance, the Alpine Space will be enlarged to include France and Switzerland. Three new programmes should concern the cooperation of ultra-peripheral regions with the surrounding areas. 13 programmes (including 3 programmes for ultra-peripheral regions): Alpine Area Archimed (Greece, Sicily, Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia) Atlantic Area Baltic Sea region CADSES (Centre, Adriatic and Danube) Northern Periphery North Sea Region South West Europe North West Europe Western Mediterranean Most remote regions: Açores, Madeira, Canarias (Canary Islands) Most remote regions: Caribbean Most remote regions: Reunion Interreg IVB North West Europe

1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe 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) The total ERDF support for the new INTERREG III initiative: 4,875 million euro for the period (1999 prices). Strand B: 27% of INTERREG budget b€. INTERREG IIIB clearly differs from INTERREG IIIA in that: it concerns transnational (and not simply cross-border) co-operation over broader geographical areas covering more than three States (at least two of them being EU Member States). in terms of its objectives, it involves the territory more deeply and focuses specifically on questions of regional and spatial planning. Thinking in terms of transnational co-operation in Structural Fund programmes is a relatively new approach. Cross-border co-operation, i.e. between areas bordering a common national frontier, was a well-established tradition at that time and had been extensively supported by the first two INTERREG Community Initiatives. But the geographic scale was totally different, and this co-operation between neighbouring areas was quite a different story. Many regions and other potential partners of transnational co-operation programmes had little or no experience of international contacts in Perhaps they had taken part in some international conferences, where simultaneous interpretation is usually provided and interesting contacts can be made during a pleasant meal offered by the conference organiser, preferably in an exotic location. Far more demanding was the sort of exercise proposed by the INTERREG IIC Initiative. Eligible areas All EU regions are eligible under strand B. The geographical groupings are based on the areas already covered by existing INTERREG II C programmes and Article 10 pilot actions concerning transnational cooperation, adjusted to take account of experience to date. For instance, the Alpine Space will be enlarged to include France and Switzerland. Three new programmes should concern the cooperation of ultra-peripheral regions with the surrounding areas. 13 programmes (including 3 programmes for ultra-peripheral regions): Alpine Area Archimed (Greece, Sicily, Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia) Atlantic Area Baltic Sea region CADSES (Centre, Adriatic and Danube) Northern Periphery North Sea Region South West Europe North West Europe Western Mediterranean Most remote regions: Açores, Madeira, Canarias (Canary Islands) Most remote regions: Caribbean Most remote regions: Reunion Interreg IVB North West Europe

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) The total ERDF support for the new INTERREG III initiative: 4,875 million euro for the period (1999 prices). Strand B: 27% of INTERREG budget b€. INTERREG IIIB clearly differs from INTERREG IIIA in that: it concerns transnational (and not simply cross-border) co-operation over broader geographical areas covering more than three States (at least two of them being EU Member States). in terms of its objectives, it involves the territory more deeply and focuses specifically on questions of regional and spatial planning. Thinking in terms of transnational co-operation in Structural Fund programmes is a relatively new approach. Cross-border co-operation, i.e. between areas bordering a common national frontier, was a well-established tradition at that time and had been extensively supported by the first two INTERREG Community Initiatives. But the geographic scale was totally different, and this co-operation between neighbouring areas was quite a different story. Many regions and other potential partners of transnational co-operation programmes had little or no experience of international contacts in Perhaps they had taken part in some international conferences, where simultaneous interpretation is usually provided and interesting contacts can be made during a pleasant meal offered by the conference organiser, preferably in an exotic location. Far more demanding was the sort of exercise proposed by the INTERREG IIC Initiative. Eligible areas All EU regions are eligible under strand B. The geographical groupings are based on the areas already covered by existing INTERREG II C programmes and Article 10 pilot actions concerning transnational cooperation, adjusted to take account of experience to date. For instance, the Alpine Space will be enlarged to include France and Switzerland. Three new programmes should concern the cooperation of ultra-peripheral regions with the surrounding areas. 13 programmes (including 3 programmes for ultra-peripheral regions): Alpine Area Archimed (Greece, Sicily, Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia) Atlantic Area Baltic Sea region CADSES (Centre, Adriatic and Danube) Northern Periphery North Sea Region South West Europe North West Europe Western Mediterranean Most remote regions: Açores, Madeira, Canarias (Canary Islands) Most remote regions: Caribbean Most remote regions: Reunion Interreg IVB North West Europe

Thematic Priorities for IVB NWE
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 Strand B: transnational cooperation. Interreg IVB North West Europe

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 NWMA-NWE: What is new? Programmes will have a general character: there will be no sectoral programmes such as for drought or flooding. Integration of the Interreg IIC IRMA programme (fight against flooding in the Rhine Valley) Partners from 3 countries minimum  Partners from 2 countries minimum. NWE projects are expected to be more operational and to demonstrate tangible results to the common benefit of their transnational partnerships. Not only mere exchange of experience. Whilst the NWMA principally addressed circles of specialist planners, academics and policy makers, the NWE expects to involve a much wider public. This might include transport departments, environmentalists and entrepreneurs. Direct investment for enterprises is envisaged for instance, which is a major innovation of the Programme. Over 700 registered partners (Rotterdam project fair) compared to 200 (Maastricht project fair in 1998). Interreg IVB North West Europe

1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe Budget per Priority NWMA-NWE: What is new? Programmes will have a general character: there will be no sectoral programmes such as for drought or flooding. Integration of the Interreg IIC IRMA programme (fight against flooding in the Rhine Valley) Partners from 3 countries minimum  Partners from 2 countries minimum. NWE projects are expected to be more operational and to demonstrate tangible results to the common benefit of their transnational partnerships. Not only mere exchange of experience. Whilst the NWMA principally addressed circles of specialist planners, academics and policy makers, the NWE expects to involve a much wider public. This might include transport departments, environmentalists and entrepreneurs. Direct investment for enterprises is envisaged for instance, which is a major innovation of the Programme. Over 700 registered partners (Rotterdam project fair) compared to 200 (Maastricht project fair in 1998). Interreg IVB North West Europe

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 NWMA-NWE: What is new? Programmes will have a general character: there will be no sectoral programmes such as for drought or flooding. Integration of the Interreg IIC IRMA programme (fight against flooding in the Rhine Valley) Partners from 3 countries minimum  Partners from 2 countries minimum. NWE projects are expected to be more operational and to demonstrate tangible results to the common benefit of their transnational partnerships. Not only mere exchange of experience. Whilst the NWMA principally addressed circles of specialist planners, academics and policy makers, the NWE expects to involve a much wider public. This might include transport departments, environmentalists and entrepreneurs. Direct investment for enterprises is envisaged for instance, which is a major innovation of the Programme. Over 700 registered partners (Rotterdam project fair) compared to 200 (Maastricht project fair in 1998). Interreg IVB North West Europe

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 Interreg IVB North West Europe

1 Introduction to INTERREG IVB North West Europe How to get started? 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 Applications may come from any transnational partnership or group with expertise and experience of relevance to spatial development. All public and private actors are considered as potential beneficiaries (national, regional or local administrations and other public bodies, research bodies, universities, socio-economic actors/ organisations, etc) and can apply for funding, if they are located in the eligible area. Specific rule applying to private partners: de minimis + other rules to be clarified. Project teams appoint a lead partner (a public body or similar; or private if solvency covered by a bank garantee), which is responsible for the application process as well as project implementation. For each application the Secretariat consults the national authorities involved to ensure that the project is fully co-funded and does not conflict with national policy. PC will contain detailed project selection criteria. The Applicants Pack includes the CIP, the Complement, various relevant EU-regulations, the application form and the applicant’s guidance Interreg IVB North West Europe

2 Features of the 1st call The status of territorial cooperation has changed and it is now raised to the level of an entirely seperate objectiove, which gives it a greater visibility and greater legal basis Cross-border cooperation embraces a geographical area larger than the previous INTERREG, mainly as far as maritime cooperation is concerned. NUTS 3 level regions are eligible, along all the land-based internal borders and some external borders, along maritime borders separetd by a max distance of 150km. Budget is 5.6 billion € = 74% Interreg IVB North West Europe

2 Features of the 1st Call Expected 1st callers No fixed budget Expected 1st Callers per priority: Interreg IVB North West Europe

2 Features of the 1st Call Dates Call opens: 17th September 2007 Call closes: 15th October 2007, 7pm 1st Programme Steering Committee Meeting: December Interreg IVB North West Europe

Project selection procedure
3 Project selection procedure The status of territorial cooperation has changed and it is now raised to the level of an entirely seperate objectiove, which gives it a greater visibility and greater legal basis Cross-border cooperation embraces a geographical area larger than the previous INTERREG, mainly as far as maritime cooperation is concerned. NUTS 3 level regions are eligible, along all the land-based internal borders and some external borders, along maritime borders separetd by a max distance of 150km. Budget is 5.6 billion € = 74% Interreg IVB North West Europe

3 Project selection procedure 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 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 Interreg IVB North West Europe

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. The joint selection of operations (projects) and the coordinated monitoring of their implementation shall be carried out by one Steering Committee (or, if necessary, several, each for the operations organised for each sub-programme). This committee shall be constituted on the same principles of co-operation and partnership as the Monitoring Committee. A representative of the Commission may attend as an observer. If the competent authorities so wish, a single committee can act as both Monitoring and Steering Committee. Eligibility criteria: must be fulfilled in order to guarantee project eligibility. Project selection criteria influence project selection. Projects must comply with the general Interreg III objectives and with the specific priorities and measures established for each programme. Priority to quality projects Projects will be assessed through a qualitative ranking system. Decisions made by the Steering Committee will reflect the assessment: better projects will be launched immediately, whereas partners of less good projects will be invited to present an improved version. Consistency of the appraisal Projects will be appraised in relative terms: their respective merits will be fully taken into account, not only within a same round, but also throughout the whole selection period. The standard for applying each criterion will be held as constant as possible. In-depth discussion prior to any difficult decision The method of assessment will never be applied in a mechanical way. All assessment reports submitted to the Committee will be examined critically, on the basis of a thorough exchange of arguments, especially for applications whose quality may appear controversial. Transparent decision-making process Applicants will be given full explanation of the decision made on their project by the Steering Committee. Especially if improvements are requested, or if the project is declared ineligible, shortcomings that led to this conclusion will be clearly stated. Balanced geographic coverage A reasonably balanced geographic coverage of projects to be carried out on the co-operation area will be secured, essentially by applying the so-called ‘Lead Applicant principle’ (cf. Section VI.2, p.52 of the Operational Programme). A sound funding package. Due attention will be paid to the eligibility of expenditure, especially as regards additionality. The Steering Committee will avoid releasing a too considerable part of the total ERDF funding before the last selection meeting. All expenditure will be monitored by the Secretariat. Interreg IVB North West Europe

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. The joint selection of operations (projects) and the coordinated monitoring of their implementation shall be carried out by one Steering Committee (or, if necessary, several, each for the operations organised for each sub-programme). This committee shall be constituted on the same principles of co-operation and partnership as the Monitoring Committee. A representative of the Commission may attend as an observer. If the competent authorities so wish, a single committee can act as both Monitoring and Steering Committee. Eligibility criteria: must be fulfilled in order to guarantee project eligibility. Project selection criteria influence project selection. Projects must comply with the general Interreg III objectives and with the specific priorities and measures established for each programme. Priority to quality projects Projects will be assessed through a qualitative ranking system. Decisions made by the Steering Committee will reflect the assessment: better projects will be launched immediately, whereas partners of less good projects will be invited to present an improved version. Consistency of the appraisal Projects will be appraised in relative terms: their respective merits will be fully taken into account, not only within a same round, but also throughout the whole selection period. The standard for applying each criterion will be held as constant as possible. In-depth discussion prior to any difficult decision The method of assessment will never be applied in a mechanical way. All assessment reports submitted to the Committee will be examined critically, on the basis of a thorough exchange of arguments, especially for applications whose quality may appear controversial. Transparent decision-making process Applicants will be given full explanation of the decision made on their project by the Steering Committee. Especially if improvements are requested, or if the project is declared ineligible, shortcomings that led to this conclusion will be clearly stated. Balanced geographic coverage A reasonably balanced geographic coverage of projects to be carried out on the co-operation area will be secured, essentially by applying the so-called ‘Lead Applicant principle’ (cf. Section VI.2, p.52 of the Operational Programme). A sound funding package. Due attention will be paid to the eligibility of expenditure, especially as regards additionality. The Steering Committee will avoid releasing a too considerable part of the total ERDF funding before the last selection meeting. All expenditure will be monitored by the Secretariat. Interreg IVB North West Europe

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). The joint selection of operations (projects) and the coordinated monitoring of their implementation shall be carried out by one Steering Committee (or, if necessary, several, each for the operations organised for each sub-programme). This committee shall be constituted on the same principles of co-operation and partnership as the Monitoring Committee. A representative of the Commission may attend as an observer. If the competent authorities so wish, a single committee can act as both Monitoring and Steering Committee. Eligibility criteria: must be fulfilled in order to guarantee project eligibility. Project selection criteria influence project selection. Projects must comply with the general Interreg III objectives and with the specific priorities and measures established for each programme. Priority to quality projects Projects will be assessed through a qualitative ranking system. Decisions made by the Steering Committee will reflect the assessment: better projects will be launched immediately, whereas partners of less good projects will be invited to present an improved version. Consistency of the appraisal Projects will be appraised in relative terms: their respective merits will be fully taken into account, not only within a same round, but also throughout the whole selection period. The standard for applying each criterion will be held as constant as possible. In-depth discussion prior to any difficult decision The method of assessment will never be applied in a mechanical way. All assessment reports submitted to the Committee will be examined critically, on the basis of a thorough exchange of arguments, especially for applications whose quality may appear controversial. Transparent decision-making process Applicants will be given full explanation of the decision made on their project by the Steering Committee. Especially if improvements are requested, or if the project is declared ineligible, shortcomings that led to this conclusion will be clearly stated. Balanced geographic coverage A reasonably balanced geographic coverage of projects to be carried out on the co-operation area will be secured, essentially by applying the so-called ‘Lead Applicant principle’ (cf. Section VI.2, p.52 of the Operational Programme). A sound funding package. Due attention will be paid to the eligibility of expenditure, especially as regards additionality. The Steering Committee will avoid releasing a too considerable part of the total ERDF funding before the last selection meeting. All expenditure will be monitored by the Secretariat. Interreg IVB North West Europe

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 The joint selection of operations (projects) and the coordinated monitoring of their implementation shall be carried out by one Steering Committee (or, if necessary, several, each for the operations organised for each sub-programme). This committee shall be constituted on the same principles of co-operation and partnership as the Monitoring Committee. A representative of the Commission may attend as an observer. If the competent authorities so wish, a single committee can act as both Monitoring and Steering Committee. Eligibility criteria: must be fulfilled in order to guarantee project eligibility. Project selection criteria influence project selection. Projects must comply with the general Interreg III objectives and with the specific priorities and measures established for each programme. Priority to quality projects Projects will be assessed through a qualitative ranking system. Decisions made by the Steering Committee will reflect the assessment: better projects will be launched immediately, whereas partners of less good projects will be invited to present an improved version. Consistency of the appraisal Projects will be appraised in relative terms: their respective merits will be fully taken into account, not only within a same round, but also throughout the whole selection period. The standard for applying each criterion will be held as constant as possible. In-depth discussion prior to any difficult decision The method of assessment will never be applied in a mechanical way. All assessment reports submitted to the Committee will be examined critically, on the basis of a thorough exchange of arguments, especially for applications whose quality may appear controversial. Transparent decision-making process Applicants will be given full explanation of the decision made on their project by the Steering Committee. Especially if improvements are requested, or if the project is declared ineligible, shortcomings that led to this conclusion will be clearly stated. Balanced geographic coverage A reasonably balanced geographic coverage of projects to be carried out on the co-operation area will be secured, essentially by applying the so-called ‘Lead Applicant principle’ (cf. Section VI.2, p.52 of the Operational Programme). A sound funding package. Due attention will be paid to the eligibility of expenditure, especially as regards additionality. The Steering Committee will avoid releasing a too considerable part of the total ERDF funding before the last selection meeting. All expenditure will be monitored by the Secretariat. Interreg IVB North West Europe

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 The joint selection of operations (projects) and the coordinated monitoring of their implementation shall be carried out by one Steering Committee (or, if necessary, several, each for the operations organised for each sub-programme). This committee shall be constituted on the same principles of co-operation and partnership as the Monitoring Committee. A representative of the Commission may attend as an observer. If the competent authorities so wish, a single committee can act as both Monitoring and Steering Committee. Eligibility criteria: must be fulfilled in order to guarantee project eligibility. Project selection criteria influence project selection. Projects must comply with the general Interreg III objectives and with the specific priorities and measures established for each programme. Priority to quality projects Projects will be assessed through a qualitative ranking system. Decisions made by the Steering Committee will reflect the assessment: better projects will be launched immediately, whereas partners of less good projects will be invited to present an improved version. Consistency of the appraisal Projects will be appraised in relative terms: their respective merits will be fully taken into account, not only within a same round, but also throughout the whole selection period. The standard for applying each criterion will be held as constant as possible. In-depth discussion prior to any difficult decision The method of assessment will never be applied in a mechanical way. All assessment reports submitted to the Committee will be examined critically, on the basis of a thorough exchange of arguments, especially for applications whose quality may appear controversial. Transparent decision-making process Applicants will be given full explanation of the decision made on their project by the Steering Committee. Especially if improvements are requested, or if the project is declared ineligible, shortcomings that led to this conclusion will be clearly stated. Balanced geographic coverage A reasonably balanced geographic coverage of projects to be carried out on the co-operation area will be secured, essentially by applying the so-called ‘Lead Applicant principle’ (cf. Section VI.2, p.52 of the Operational Programme). A sound funding package. Due attention will be paid to the eligibility of expenditure, especially as regards additionality. The Steering Committee will avoid releasing a too considerable part of the total ERDF funding before the last selection meeting. All expenditure will be monitored by the Secretariat. Interreg IVB North West Europe

4 How to apply – the content of the Application Form Project design Project Partnership Project Management Structure Eligibility of Project Expenditure The status of territorial cooperation has changed and it is now raised to the level of an entirely seperate objectiove, which gives it a greater visibility and greater legal basis Cross-border cooperation embraces a geographical area larger than the previous INTERREG, mainly as far as maritime cooperation is concerned. NUTS 3 level regions are eligible, along all the land-based internal borders and some external borders, along maritime borders separetd by a max distance of 150km. Budget is 5.6 billion € = 74% Interreg IVB North West Europe

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 Preparation and implementation of a successful INTERREG IIIB project application: no simple matter. It entails overcoming a great number of difficulties, including the setting-up of an international partnership (partners from at least three different countries in the NWMA case), the definition of a credible action plan and project budget, the negotiation of a project convention to secure efficient co-operation mechanisms and the solvency of partners, etc. Not to mention the difficulties arising from the wide variety of national cultures, languages and administrative practices in the NWMA. After a couple of years, all those involved in NWMA co-operation have realised that, all well considered, the technical preparation of a project – though already a hard nut to crack – is nothing more than the tip of the cross-cultural communication iceberg. A critical ingredient of a successful transnational co-operation, often overlooked at the outset, is the will to promote a patient, mutual understanding between different cultures. Although it is by no means easy, the undertaking is really stimulating and fulfilling. No disguise of local projects in trans-national co-operation: need to address common problems / trans-national issues. It is essential that each project proposal provides a good project description and contains elements such as description of the objectives, identification and description of participants and their role, description of the project activities, of the expected results and of the deliverables foreseen, a detailed financial plan broken down by partner, among others. Each project will in principle have a lead applicant (or partner) who will submit the project, in the name of the partnership. Each lead partner will be responsible for project execution and will be "legally" responsible (liable) for the entire implementation of the project. Role of the Secretariat in the project development process Interreg IVB North West Europe

The Application Form 4 How to apply – the content of 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? WHY, WHAT and HOW? WHAT you would like to achieve and HOW are you going to achieve it? WHO? WHO is going to contribute to your project? WHICH BUDGET? The finances of your project WHO needs to know WHAT? How you are going to promote your project to your audiences? FORMALITIES – Confirmation, certification and signature Interreg IVB North West Europe

The Application Form 4 How to apply – the content of the Application Form 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 ) needs to be translated into each of the partners’ languages. Interreg IVB North West Europe

The Application Form 4 How to apply – the content of the Application Form 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”. Interreg IVB North West Europe

The Application Form 4 How to apply – the content of the Application Form 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. Interreg IVB North West Europe

The Application Form 4 How to apply – the content of the Application Form 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. Interreg IVB North West Europe

The Application Form 4 How to apply – the content of the Application Form 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. 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). FORMALITIES – Confirmation, certification and signature Interreg IVB North West Europe

Project Structure 4 How to apply – the content of the Application Form
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 ... Action 2.1 ... Action X.1 ... Preparation and implementation of a successful INTERREG IIIB project application: no simple matter. It entails overcoming a great number of difficulties, including the setting-up of an international partnership (partners from at least three different countries in the NWMA case), the definition of a credible action plan and project budget, the negotiation of a project convention to secure efficient co-operation mechanisms and the solvency of partners, etc. Not to mention the difficulties arising from the wide variety of national cultures, languages and administrative practices in the NWMA. After a couple of years, all those involved in NWMA co-operation have realised that, all well considered, the technical preparation of a project – though already a hard nut to crack – is nothing more than the tip of the cross-cultural communication iceberg. A critical ingredient of a successful transnational co-operation, often overlooked at the outset, is the will to promote a patient, mutual understanding between different cultures. Although it is by no means easy, the undertaking is really stimulating and fulfilling. No disguise of local projects in trans-national co-operation: need to address common problems / trans-national issues. It is essential that each project proposal provides a good project description and contains elements such as description of the objectives, identification and description of participants and their role, description of the project activities, of the expected results and of the deliverables foreseen, a detailed financial plan broken down by partner, among others. Each project will in principle have a lead applicant (or partner) who will submit the project, in the name of the partnership. Each lead partner will be responsible for project execution and will be "legally" responsible (liable) for the entire implementation of the project. Role of the Secretariat in the project development process Output 1.1 Output 1.2 ... Output 2.1 ... Output X.1 ... Interreg IVB North West Europe

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 Preparation and implementation of a successful INTERREG IIIB project application: no simple matter. It entails overcoming a great number of difficulties, including the setting-up of an international partnership (partners from at least three different countries in the NWMA case), the definition of a credible action plan and project budget, the negotiation of a project convention to secure efficient co-operation mechanisms and the solvency of partners, etc. Not to mention the difficulties arising from the wide variety of national cultures, languages and administrative practices in the NWMA. After a couple of years, all those involved in NWMA co-operation have realised that, all well considered, the technical preparation of a project – though already a hard nut to crack – is nothing more than the tip of the cross-cultural communication iceberg. A critical ingredient of a successful transnational co-operation, often overlooked at the outset, is the will to promote a patient, mutual understanding between different cultures. Although it is by no means easy, the undertaking is really stimulating and fulfilling. No disguise of local projects in trans-national co-operation: need to address common problems / trans-national issues. It is essential that each project proposal provides a good project description and contains elements such as description of the objectives, identification and description of participants and their role, description of the project activities, of the expected results and of the deliverables foreseen, a detailed financial plan broken down by partner, among others. Each project will in principle have a lead applicant (or partner) who will submit the project, in the name of the partnership. Each lead partner will be responsible for project execution and will be "legally" responsible (liable) for the entire implementation of the project. Role of the Secretariat in the project development process Interreg IVB North West Europe

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) Preparation and implementation of a successful INTERREG IIIB project application: no simple matter. It entails overcoming a great number of difficulties, including the setting-up of an international partnership (partners from at least three different countries in the NWMA case), the definition of a credible action plan and project budget, the negotiation of a project convention to secure efficient co-operation mechanisms and the solvency of partners, etc. Not to mention the difficulties arising from the wide variety of national cultures, languages and administrative practices in the NWMA. After a couple of years, all those involved in NWMA co-operation have realised that, all well considered, the technical preparation of a project – though already a hard nut to crack – is nothing more than the tip of the cross-cultural communication iceberg. A critical ingredient of a successful transnational co-operation, often overlooked at the outset, is the will to promote a patient, mutual understanding between different cultures. Although it is by no means easy, the undertaking is really stimulating and fulfilling. No disguise of local projects in trans-national co-operation: need to address common problems / trans-national issues. It is essential that each project proposal provides a good project description and contains elements such as description of the objectives, identification and description of participants and their role, description of the project activities, of the expected results and of the deliverables foreseen, a detailed financial plan broken down by partner, among others. Each project will in principle have a lead applicant (or partner) who will submit the project, in the name of the partnership. Each lead partner will be responsible for project execution and will be "legally" responsible (liable) for the entire implementation of the project. Role of the Secretariat in the project development process Interreg IVB North West Europe

4 How to apply – the content of the Application Form 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 Preparation and implementation of a successful INTERREG IIIB project application: no simple matter. It entails overcoming a great number of difficulties, including the setting-up of an international partnership (partners from at least three different countries in the NWMA case), the definition of a credible action plan and project budget, the negotiation of a project convention to secure efficient co-operation mechanisms and the solvency of partners, etc. Not to mention the difficulties arising from the wide variety of national cultures, languages and administrative practices in the NWMA. After a couple of years, all those involved in NWMA co-operation have realised that, all well considered, the technical preparation of a project – though already a hard nut to crack – is nothing more than the tip of the cross-cultural communication iceberg. A critical ingredient of a successful transnational co-operation, often overlooked at the outset, is the will to promote a patient, mutual understanding between different cultures. Although it is by no means easy, the undertaking is really stimulating and fulfilling. No disguise of local projects in trans-national co-operation: need to address common problems / trans-national issues. It is essential that each project proposal provides a good project description and contains elements such as description of the objectives, identification and description of participants and their role, description of the project activities, of the expected results and of the deliverables foreseen, a detailed financial plan broken down by partner, among others. Each project will in principle have a lead applicant (or partner) who will submit the project, in the name of the partnership. Each lead partner will be responsible for project execution and will be "legally" responsible (liable) for the entire implementation of the project. Role of the Secretariat in the project development process Interreg IVB North West Europe

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 Interreg IVB North West Europe

Basis: Partnership agreement Lead Partner Principle
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 Contact with JTS Submission of Activity Reports, Payment Claims, Control Reports, project modifications 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 Overall responsibility for project implementation Interreg IVB North West Europe

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. Interreg IVB North West Europe

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) Interreg IVB North West Europe

5 Project implementation
The status of territorial cooperation has changed and it is now raised to the level of an entirely seperate objectiove, which gives it a greater visibility and greater legal basis Cross-border cooperation embraces a geographical area larger than the previous INTERREG, mainly as far as maritime cooperation is concerned. NUTS 3 level regions are eligible, along all the land-based internal borders and some external borders, along maritime borders separetd by a max distance of 150km. Budget is 5.6 billion € = 74% Interreg IVB North West Europe

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 Interreg IVB North West Europe

5 Project Implementation Cash Flow Payment Claim Flow Money Flow JTS Assesses the Activity Report and the Payment Claim received Prepares the payment request to the Paying Authority Paying Authority Programme Bank Account 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 Interreg IVB North West Europe

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 Interreg IVB North West Europe

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 Interreg IVB North West Europe

GOOD LUCK & Fingers crossed! Interreg IVB North West Europe

INTERREG IVB Programme North-West Europe

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