1. Rahandusministeerium Project Preparation Fund for Structural Funds Peter Gornischeff Ministry of Finance of Estonia

2. Rahandusministeerium Why? The goal is to ensure the preparation of a sufficient number of good projects for the SFs measures prior to accession. For the same purpose, the project preparation and management skills have to be developed among the final beneficiaries.

3. Rahandusministeerium To whom? Must be NGOs, local governments or from the private sector and must be eligible beneficiaries (target groups, final beneficiaries) or Intermediate Bodies under the SF measures provided in the program complement of the SPD 2003-2006. Must be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the project, not acting as an intermediary*.

4. Rahandusministeerium Preparation of which kind of projects? Project preparation support under this facility will be made available for preparation of the projects that are eligible for support under the SF measures presented in the program complement of the Estonian SPD 2003-2006 or are eligible for Phare ESC financing.

5. Rahandusministeerium For which kind of activities? Project preparation and engineering; Preparation of feasibility studies; Market studies; Surveys; Environmental impact assessments; Cost-benefit analyses for investment components as well as preparation of technical designs and bills of quantity; Studies, research programmes, strategies, planning, analysis, audits; Provision of expertise.

6. Rahandusministeerium How much? For how long? The total amount of the Fund is 750 000 EUR. Minimum size of the grant – 3000 euro Maximum size of the grant – 100 000 euro The programm will last until November 2004 or until the Fund will be absorbed. The maximum duration of a project may not exceed 12 months. In exceptional circumstances the duration may be up to 18 months.

7. Rahandusministeerium Support in what form? Financial support in the form of grant. The applicants must co-finance the project as follows: NGOs 10% of the total project cost; Local governments and public isnstitutions 25% of the total project cost; Private sector 50% of the total project cost.

8. Rahandusministeerium How the applications will be evaluated? Applications must be sent to the Ministry of Finance  Projects will be evaluated by the assessors  The Evaluation Committee makes the decision

9. Rahandusministeerium What will be evaluated? Project content; Implementation methodology; Sustainability; Budget and cost-benefit; Experience and readiness for the implementation.

10. Rahandusministeerium How the projects will be implemented? Will be implemented according to the PHARE decentralized ex-post procedures.

11. Rahandusministeerium Who will help? The Foreign Financing Department within the Ministry of Finance will help the applicants in drafting the applications. Contact: Kristjan Maasalu Foreign Financing Department Tel. (0) 611 3441 Fax. (0) 611 3041 struktuurifondid@fin.ee struktuurifondid@fin.ee