Application procedure

From theory to practice

Dieter H. Henzler, Steinbeis-TransfercenterCultural Resources Management, Berlin

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Application procedure

Idea of operation

Important principles for the developmentof an operation idea:

Understand the relevant interregional co-operation strategy and priorities outlined in the- INTERREG Guidelines- Community Initiative Programme INTERREG IIIC - Programme Complement

Strengthen your operation idea (e.g. subjects, activities) to better contribute to the planned measures of interregional co-operation

Involve partners as early as possible

Lead Partner (LP)Decide who will take the lead in preparing and implementing the operation. This will be the Lead Partner of the operation, who shall:

• be responsible for management, implementation and coordination of activities among the involved partners

• submit the Application Form

• sign the Subsidy Contract with the Managing Authority

• undertake full financial and legal responsibility for the entire operation

• request payments on basis of the Subsidy Contract

Partner search Observe the specific eligibility criteria (e.g.

minimum number of partners, required experience, regional partnership)

Make use of partner search facilities on the web - www.interreg3c.net - and partner search forums

Start partner search as early as possible

Remember that the priority in the Programme will be given to projects involving partners from other Zones

Partners from third countries

Participation of third countries funded by Phare, Tacis, MEDA, CARDS and EDF is encouraged in the Programme

ERDF funding for third country partners is possible in certain cases

Other sources of financing might be relevant EU Programmes and national funds

There is no definition of regions with respect to third countries. Partners should be equal in size and competence.

Design of operation pre-application stage Strongly involve your partners in the design

of the operation

Strengthen the partnership and acquire support from the regional partnership (RFOs)

Clarify the roles of Lead Partner and partners with all the requirements, responsibilities and obligations early on (e.g. funding sources, reporting, auditing, project commitments etc.)

Draw up necessary contracts and agreements with partners

information aboutINTERREG IIICin detail

Information

iwww.interreg3c.net

www.interreg3c.net INTERREG Guidelines and Programme

documents

Operation idea and partner search database

Application pack

Information related to the implementation of operations

News

Contact information

General and Zone specific information

Application Pack (on-line)

• Programme Document (CIP)

• Programme Complement

• Programme Manual

• Application Form

• Glossary

• Relevant EU documents for download

Programme Complementone for each Zone but only slight differences

• Description of Measures

• Indicators for Monitoring and Evaluation

- Output indicators

- Result and impact indicators

• Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• Final beneficiaries

• Financing plan

- Rate of assistance

- Preparatory costs

Programme Manualone for all Zones

• Information on the Programme

• Information on activities supported

• Design of operations (e.g. Partnership, Third country participation, funding etc.)

• Application Procedure

• Assessment and Decision Making

• Management of Operation (e.g.administrative, financial, Subsidy contract etc.)

• Monitoring, reporting and control

• Closure of operation

Application Form

• ONE for all Zones

• ONE for all three Types of Operations

• In ENGLISH for East Zone

Application and Open Call

The first call for proposals starts onJune 2003 and will last 3 months until

August 2003

• Simultaneous for all four Zones

• Application Pack will be available on the Programme’s website:

www.interreg3c.net

Application and Open Call

Make use of the information available on the Programme‘s website and contact the Joint Technical Secretariat for advice.

Send the application by mail and E-mail to the JTS of the Zone where the Lead Partner is located

Eligibility assessment

The eligibility check is the first step of a two-step process

The Joint Technical Secretariat shall check if the application meets the technical and programme policy requirements

Eligibility Criteria

•Technical eligibility criteria• Application Form submitted in due time• Application Form properly filled in• Applicant, partners and costs eligible• Accordance to EU and national legislation and

policies

•Programme-related eligibility criteria• per Topic for Co-operation• per Type of Operation→partnership, contents, other requirements

Quality assessment

The quality assessment is the second step of the two-step process

The quality of the application will be evaluated by the Joint Technical Secretariat, representatives of national government bodies or a group of independently selected experts

The result will be three ranking lists (one per each Type of Operation) submitted to the Steering Committee

Quality Criteria

•Selection criteria

• Coherence / consistency of proposal

• Quality of approach and management

• Quality of partnership

• Quality of results

• Sustainability and durability of project results

Steering Committee

The decision on funding will be made by the Steering Committee of the Zone where the Lead Partner is located

The Steering Committee may also set certain conditions to the operations (e.g. adjustment of financial plan or activity etc.). These conditions will have to be fulfilled prior funding is granted.

Contracting

The Lead Partner of an approved operation will conclude a Subsidy Contract with the Managing Authority.

According to the Lead Partner principle, the Managing Authority draws up the subsidy contract only with the Lead Partner, who bears full financial and administrative responsibility of implementing the operation, including for all partners.

Lead Partner Seminar

Lead Partner seminars will give advice how to best handle the responsibilites of Lead Partners towards the Managing Authority and the Joint Technical Secretariat.

Topics may include e.g. requirements for administrative and financial management systems, reporting, auditing and control, communication etc.

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Application procedure

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Implementation

•Administrative management•Financial management•Independent auditor‘s verifications•Reporting and monitoring

More information on implementation procedures will be provided in the Application Pack

www.interreg3c.net

Thank you for your attention !