1. Eurostat grants 2015 (point 10 of the agenda)
Eurostat – Unit E2
Arturo de la Fuente
Joint meeting Working Groups on Environmental Accounts & Environmental Expenditure Statistics
Luxembourg, 10 March 2015

2. 2015 grants environmental accounts
Estimated Eurostat budget: euros
Maximum co-financing 70% of the action
Timing:
Call for proposals: to be launched in the next weeks
Deadline for application: announced in the call
Target for Eurostat to award grants: late spring
Target to sign contracts: summer

3. Scope grants
Very similar technical specifications as in previous years
Priorities unchanged:
Develop methods to implement the 3 new modules
Also applications for major improvements beyond the legal requirements to the three old modules
Also applications in other new areas, especially the new development areas mentioned in the ESEA 2014 (ReMEA, environmental transfers, water accounts and forest accounts)
Examples:
Set up and adapt the national infrastructure for the 3 new modules
Set up procedures and solutions for earlier delivery than legally required
Create longer time-series

4. Differences with last year (1/2)
Less strict start and duration of the action
(To smooth peaks of administrative work related to grants)
Start action between 1 November 2015 and 1 March 2016
Estimated action duration not longer than 12 months
Acceptable a maximum duration of up to 24 months if justified
Revised award criteria and award points
The same award criteria for all Eurostat grants across domains
Neater distinction between "technical report" and "methodological report"

5. Differences with last year (2/2)
Starting this year, beneficiaries must calculate direct personnel costs as unit costs
Using a method  approved by the Commission (Decision C(2014)6332)
Your colleagues in financial matters should know already about it
In case of doubt please contact Eurostat

6. Other observations
Important that new applications are clearly distinct from similar past actions
To ensure there is no double Eurostat financing of the same action
Avoid unnecessary amendments of applications and contract
Amendments to contracts create sizeable administrative workload
Important to contact Eurostat as soon as possible if there are issues during the execution of the action

7. Thanks!