How to Prepare a Good Proposal?
Estonia
16 June 2016
Kaia Treier, NEEMO EEIG-ELLE
Facts of LIFE
1. There is significant competition for LIFE funds
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CLIMA proposals are included in ‘ENV’ and ‘INF’ strands
Submission Trend 2007 – 2014 (Total)
Success Rate – roughly
around 10% but depends
very much on the country
Facts of LIFE
2. You can't get a grant if you don't submit an application
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Dates
Call for Proposals launch: 19 May 2016
Deadline for submission by applicants of traditional projects:
7 September 2016 - climate action sub-programme
12 September 2016 – environment & resource efficiency
15 September 2016 – nature & biodiversity, environmental governance & information
Earliest project start date: 15 June 2017 for climate sub-programme, 1 July (Env&Resource efficiency,GIE, NAT projects) 55
Facts of LIFE
3. It takes time and money to prepare an application
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Information Sources
LIFE Regulation – priority areas
MAWP (Multiannual work programme) –project topics
Application Packages
Guides for evaluation of LIFE projectproposals
LIFE Web site
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LIFE multiannual work programme (MAWP) for 2014-2017
Stronger emphasis on: Long term sustainability of the project Replicability and transferability EU added value
New requirement – Impact indicators
Long Term Sustainability
Sustainability of project resultsshould be built in the proposal
Potential to use project resultsbeyond the project life time
Particularly important for awardcriterion 1 Technical coherence andquality
Replicability and Transferability
Go beyond dissemination of projectresults and sharing of knowledge
Include activities and approachesintegrated in project actions which aimto facilitate the replication and/ortransfer of the project results beyondthe project, including in other sectors,regions or countries
EU Added Value
Each project should demonstrate
EU Added Value in terms of:
Coverage
Replicability
Transferability or
Transnational scope (if necessary for achieving project results)
Impact Indicators
LIFE Programme 2014-2020 puts anemphasis on impact indicators – tomeasure impact of each individual project
Each project has to report on keyindicators during and after the projectend
Social and economic indicatorsmandatory for ALL projects!
Application Package (per project type, per priority area)
Guidelines for Applicants (and forms)
Evaluation Guidelines
Model Grant Agreement and General Conditions
Comparative Document (is LIFE the right instrument? Which strand?):
vs. Horizon 2020 (vs. structural funds)?
NAT vs. BIO vs. ENV vs. CCA vs. CCM // GIE vs. GIC?
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Project Budget (1)
Only costs incurred for actions implemented during project life-time can be eligible!
Personnel – 2% rule for public bodies
Daily rate – based on gross salary + contributions according to the national legislation (social security, pension, etc.)
Travel costs – according to internal rules of project beneficiaries
External assistance – not more than 35% of the total budget
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Project Budget (2)
Durable goods – 100% for NAT projects, for the rest, only depreciation costs can be financed by the Union support (up to 25% for infrastructure, up to 50% for equipment), has to bear LIFE logo
Prototypes – 100% if developed specifically for LIFE project, cannot be used for commercial purposes at least 5 years after the project end
Public tender – mandatory for contracts above 130,000 €
Public entities must comply with national legislation
Good value for money
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Be AWARE (1)
READ the application guidelines
Be SURE that LIFE is the appropriate funding programme for you:
LIFE is not a structural fund: do not see it as an operational business financing tool
Be AWARE of all the exceptions that may apply to you
Ensure financial coherence; Watch COST EFFECTIVENESS
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Be AWARE (2)
FOCUS - Do NOT include actions not related to the objective of your proposal
Remember: If your project doesn't fit a priority project topic, you will receive fewer points!
The SELECTION procedure of LIFE is very tough, thorough and detailed.
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Thank you for your attention!
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/index.htm