1. Preparatory projects and funding opportunities 21 st April 2010 – Portrush, Northern Ireland Teresa Lennon and Michael O’Brien European Union European Regional Development Fund

2. General purpose of preparatory projects Producing a well-balanced, high quality main project application with an appropriate partnership constellation Facilitate the development of joint project plans on themes that correspond to the objectives of the programme Committing partners to specific contributions Reducing risks connected to main projects In general, it is to ensure that a project is meeting all the NPP core concepts of transnationality and added value.

3. General background information Continuous call Application can be submitted at any time Expenditure will become eligible from the date of submission Minimum requirements Project idea At least 2 contributing partners from 2 countries Public match funding in place, confirmed through match funding commitments

4. Current status of preparatory projects in the NPP 2007-2013 programme The NPP 2007 – 2013 Programme Monitoring Committee delegated authority to the Programme secretariat to approve preparatory projects and make funding decisions. The Programme Secretariat has assessed 54 and approved 24 preparatory projects Committed funds preparatory projects: € 401 255 (Remaining €98 745) A call for preparatory projects from 3 rd of February 2010 addressing project themes identified in gaps in the programme.

5. Preparatory projects as project development support tools Addressing programme identified gaps Kept in focus for accepting new preparatory project applications Continued call for 6 months preparatory projects Approval only preparatory projects dealing with identified gaps and not yet sufficiently addressed themes in the program Programme Secretariat’s tools to work pro-actively promoting the identified gaps Attracting project idea holders to apply for identified project gaps/ attract potential project idea holders

6. 6 months preparatory project 30 000 EUR total budget 18 000 EUR from NPP, 60% grant rate Conditions: i. public match funding in place, confirmed through match funding commitment forms ii. project plan iii. indicating potential tangible interesting products and services. iv. offering participation in a main project development workshop in November 2009; facilitated by Programme Secretariat

7. Next Main project Call The economic crisis and its current impacts indicate that applications to the Fifth call should focus on Priority 1, in the Objective 1. However, the PMC has identified the following programme gaps that need to be addressed: exchange of best practise and establishment of cooperation networks between R&D institution and SMEs to increase the capacity for innovation, facilitate the design of innovation systems and strengthen competitiveness urban-rural partnerships for new service solutions

8. Next Main project Call In addition, the PMC specially welcomes proposals to the following six themes that could be more strongly addressed: cooperation and exchange of best practice between SMEs on how to address and reach markets with existing and new products increased use of ICT to overcome distance developing innovative product and service solutions for developing and maintaining transport infrastructure with regard to roads, railways, airports and ports under harsh climatic conditions development of transport schemes that benefit rural communities, such as new maritime routes private, public and voluntary sectors cooperation and networks to develop new and innovative service solutions for remote and peripheral regions promotion of natural and cultural heritage that supports the development of sustainable industries

9. Next Main project Call Please note that the Sixth Call for Applications will be launched 3rd of September 2010 and closes on 14 th of October 2010. The PMC views the Sixth Call as a potentially focused call with few and potentially more elaborated themes. More information about the exact nature of the Sixth Call will be published in June 2010 to inform applicants in good time about what will be expected from them.

10. Next steps Further develop your project idea Visit NPP website www.northernperiphery.eu application forms for preparatory projectwww.northernperiphery.eu Get in contact with your Regional Contact Point Submit application in an original blue ink signed and electronic version to Northern Periphery Programme Secretariat Strandgade 91, 4. sal DK-1401 Copenhagen K, DENMARK secretariat@northernperiphery.eu Check NPP website for regular updates

11. Contact Details – Programme Secretariat Northern Periphery Programme Secretariat Strandgade 91, 4. sal DK-1401 Copenhagen K, DENMARK Fax: +45 3283 3775 Niclas Forsling – Head of Secretariat Tel. +45 3283 3786, niclas.forsling@northernperiphery.eu Christopher Parker – Programme Manger for Project Development Support Tel. +45 3283 3782, christopher.parker@northernperiphery.eu Kirsti Mijnhijmer – Programme Manager for Information & Communication Tel. +45 3283 3784, kirsti.mijnhijmer@northernperiphery.eu Rachel Burn – Project Officer Tel. +45 3283 3785, rachel.burn@northernperiphery.eu

12. For further information, please visit: www.northernperiphery.eu Thank you for listening!