Information Leaflet “Cross-Border Cooperation Programme ENPI

TERRITORIAL COOPERATION 2007-2013 CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION PROGRAMME – ENPI MEDITERRANEAN SEA BASIN The publication might be co-financed by the European Union August 2010 This document provides basic information and it is not exhaustive. Further information about the Programme may be found at the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund website of the Planning Bureau (<a href="/goto?url=http://www.structuralfunds.org.cy" target="_blank">www.structuralfunds.org.cy</a>) under the European Territorial Cooperation Programmes category as well as at the Programme’s website (<a href="/goto?url=http://www.enpicbcmed.eu" target="_blank">www.enpicbcmed.eu</a>). 1Cross-border Cooperation Programme ENPI Mediterranean Sea Basin, 2007- 2013 The European Neighbourhood Policy was established under the framework of the 2004 enlargement of the EU, in order to avoid the creation of new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and neighbouring countries and also to enhance stability, security and prosperity of all parties involved. The actions under the framework of this policy are financed by the Financing Instrument of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Policy. Cyprus participates only in one of the programmes of this policy, the Cross-border Cooperation Programme ENPI Mediterranean Sea Basin together with regions from Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the UK, Israel, Lebanon, Malta and the Palestinian Authority, as indicated below: Eligible countries and territories* Cyprus: the whole country Egypt: Marsa Matruh, Al Iskandanyah, Al Buhayrah, Kafr ash Shaykh, Ad Daqahliyah, Dumyat, Ash Sharquiyah, Al Isma’iliyah, Bur Sa’id, Shamal Sina France: Corse, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Greece: Anatoliki Makedonia - Thraki, Kentriki Makedonia, Thessalia, Ipeiros, Ionia Nisia, Dytiki Ellada, Sterea Ellada, Peloponnisos, Attiki, Voreio Aigaio, Notio Aigaio, Kriti Israel: the whole country Italy: Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Liguria, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Toscana Jordan: Irbid, Al-Balga, Madaba, Al-Karak, Al-Trafila, Al-Aqaba Lebanon: the whole country Malta: the whole country Morocco**: Oriental, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate, Tanger-Tétouan Palestinian Authority: the whole country Portugal: Algarve Spain: Andalucía, Cataluña, Comunidad Valenciana, Murcia, Islas Baleares, Ceuta, Melilla Syria: Latakia, Tartous Tunisia: Médenine, Gabès, Sfax, Mahdia, Monastir, Sousse, Nabeul, Ben Arous, Tunis, Ariana, Bizerte, Béja, Jendouba * Gibraltar, Libya and Algeria have not participated to any of the Programme’s procedures. Turkey has requested to be excluded from the Programme as it is a pre accession country. ** Morocco has postponed its participation to the Programme. The Programme has been approved by the European Commission on 14th August 2008. The general objective of the Programme is to contribute to promoting the sustainable and harmonious cooperation process at the Mediterranean Basin level by dealing with the common challenges and enhancing its endogenous potential. 2 The Total Programme Budget is 189.2 million euros. The European Union’s overall financial contribution to the Programme will be approximately 173.6 million euros of which 156.3 million euros will be dedicated to the financing of projects and the remaining 17.3 million euros will be used as Technical Assistance. The co-financing rate from the EU will be up to 90% while the remaining 10% will be provided by the project partners´ own resources. The following priorities and measures have been established for the achievement of the Programme’s objectives: <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">PRIORITY </li><li style="flex:1">MEASURES </li></ul>1.1. Support to innovation and research in the process of local development of the Mediterranean Sea Basin countries 1.2. Strengthening economic clusters creating synergies 1. Promotion of socio-economic development and enhancement of among potentials of the Mediterranean Sea Basin countries territories 1.3. Strengthening the national strategies of territorial planning by integrating the different levels, and promotion of balanced and sustainable socio-economic development 2.1. Prevention and reduction of risk factors for the environment and enhancement of natural common heritage 2.2. Promotion of renewable energy use and improvement of energy efficiency contributing to addressing, among other challenges, climate change 2. Promotion of environmental sustainability at the basin level 3. Promotion of better conditions 3.1. Support to people flows among territories as a means of and modalities for ensuring the mobility of persons, goods and capitals* cultural, social and economic enrichment 3.2. Improvement of conditions and modalities of circulation of goods and capitals among the territories 4.1. Support to mobility, exchanges, training and professionalism of young people 4.2. Support to the artistic creativity in all its expressions to encourage dialogue among communities 4. Promotion of cultural dialogue and local governance 4.3. Improvement of the governance processes at local level *Tunisia and Egypt consider that issues related to Priority 3 fall under the exclusive competence of their central administrations. As a consequence, the participation of actors coming from the eligible territories of these two countries to the projects related to Priority 3 is not envisaged. 3 Based on article 14 of EC Regulation 1638/2006 and the respective national legislation of the Mediterranean Partner Countries, the following are the potential beneficiaries of the Programme: Public Bodies Local and Regional Authorities Bodies Governed by Public Law Based on Directive 2004/18/EC a ‘body governed by public law’ means any body: (a) established for the specific purpose of meeting needs in the general interest, not having an industrial or commercial character; (b) having legal personality; and (c) financed, for the most part, by the State, regional or local authorities, or other bodies governed by public law; or subject to management supervision by those bodies; or having an administrative, managerial or supervisory board, more than half of whose members are appointed by the State, regional or local authorities, or by other bodies governed by public law. Private Bodies Participation of private companies and of other bodies defined as economic operators1, regardless of their legal status, private or governed by public law, to the call for proposals is subject to the following limitation: the outputs of the project should not generate income during the project duration. Moreover, for EU Member States, according to Commission Regulation (EC) 1998/2006 of 15 December 2006, participation of private companies and other organisations defined as economic operators, regardless of their legal status, private or governed by public law, is subject to the following limitations: project activities must not generate a competitive advantage and the gross amount of public funding granted does not exceed the thresholds set by the de minimis regime. Based on the relevant Regulation, state aid is granted to all companies with some exemptions. The total state aid granted to a specific company cannot exceed the amount of 200.000 euro in any period of 3 financial years. The total stated aid granted to companies in the field of transportation cannot exceed the amount of 100.000 euro in any period of 3 financial years. The critical period is defined based on the financial year of each company. International Organisations International organisations are international public-sector organisations set up by intergovernmental agreements, and specialised agencies set up by such organisations – these organisations may have worldwide or regional scope. Examples of such organisations are the following: International Labour Organisation, Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Health Organisation etc. In the framework of the implementation of projects the following horizontal policies should be respected: 1 Based on article 1(8) of the above mentioned Directive, the terms ‘contractor’, ‘supplier’ and ‘service provider’ mean any natural or legal person or public entity or group of such persons and/or bodies which offer on the market, respectively, the execution of works and/or a work, products or services. The term ‘economic operator’ shall cover equally the concepts of contractor, supplier and service provider. 4 --- Equality of opportunity, non-discrimination, respect for human rights. Environmental sustainability. Communication and visibility. The type and main characteristics of projects co-financed by the Programme are the following: Type 1: Standard projects Type 2: Strategic projects <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Partnership Theme </li><li style="flex:1">It will concern all the </li><li style="flex:1">Projects will be selected based </li></ul>priorities and measures of on the terms of reference that the Programme. Examples will guide Lead Partners to of indicative actions can be found in the Joint Operational Programme and the Guidelines for Applicants. specific priorities, interventions and types of projects to be cofinanced. Partnership • Should involve at least 3 • Should involve at least 4 partners coming from three different countries of which at least one partners coming from four different countries of which one coming from EU Member <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Countries and at least one from </li><li style="flex:1">coming </li><li style="flex:1">from </li><li style="flex:1">EU </li></ul>Member Countries and at least one from Mediterranean Partner Countries. Mediterranean Countries. Partner More details will be determined in the call of proposals and the • At least 50% of the terms of reference. total eligible costs of a project dedicated to activities implemented in <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">shall </li><li style="flex:1">be </li></ul>Mediterranean Partner Countries. • During the selection process a value added will be recognised to projects partners from more than one Mediterranean involving Partner Country. • The participation of partners adjoining regions of Nomenclature of Territorial Units for <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">located </li><li style="flex:1">in </li></ul>5 Statistics System (NUTS II) or equivalent may be allowed according to certain conditions. The amount of resources devoted participation partners <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">to </li><li style="flex:1">the </li></ul>of <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">the </li><li style="flex:1">of </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">adjoining </li><li style="flex:1">regions </li></ul>should not exceed 20% of allocations to the specific project. • Associates, Subcontractors Organisations and being awarded sub-grants are not considered to be project partners. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Duration </li><li style="flex:1">Up to 48 months (the Will be determined in the call of </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">duration </li><li style="flex:1">of </li><li style="flex:1">the proposals and the terms of </li></ul>implementation period reference. of projects will be determined in every call for proposals) Project Total Eligible Minimum: 500,000 euros Will be determined in the call of <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Cost* </li><li style="flex:1">Maximum: 2 m euro </li><li style="flex:1">proposals and the terms of </li></ul>reference. It is noted that for Priority 4 the minimum amount is decreased to 200.000 euros for 50% of the total budget allocated to this Priority. * It is clarified that the above amounts concern the Programme’s and the Partnership’s contributions. However projects with higher budget can be accepted bearing in mind that the maximum Programme contribution will not exceed 1.800.000 euros, i.e. the 90% of the project total eligible cost. The Lead Partner Principle is applicable at project level. This means a Lead Partner is necessary for each project, who bears legal responsibility and liability for the whole partnership vis-à-vis the Joint Managing Authority and is also responsible for the communication, implementation and coordination of actions with the Project Partners. The obligations of the Lead Partner are set in chapter 2.2 of the Guidelines to Applicants. 6Eligible Expenses To be considered eligible for Programme financing, the expenditure of a project must respect the provision of article 14 of the General Conditions to the Standard Grant Contract. Therefore they must meet the following criteria: • they are incurred during the implementation of the project with the exception of costs relating to final reports, expenditure verification and evaluation of the project, whatever the time of actual disbursement by the Lead Partner and/or its partners; • must be indicated in the estimated overall budget of the Project; • must be necessary for the implementation of the Project which is the subject of the grant; • they are identifiable and verifiable, in particular being recorded in the accounting records of the Lead Partner; • must be reasonable, justified and comply with the requirements of sound financial management, in particular regarding economy and efficiency; • must be in accordance with applicable legislation at European and national level, in particular with public procurement rules. Categories of Eligible Expenses Actual gross salaries including social security Staff Cost charges and other remuneration-related costs. Travel and subsistence costs for staff and other persons taking part in the project. The amount of the subsistence costs is set by the European Commission and is found at the following internet address: Travel and subsistence costs <a href="/goto?url=http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/perdiem/index" target="_blank">http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/perdiem/index </a>en.html <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Infrastructures </li><li style="flex:1">Usually concerning small investments. </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Purchase or rental costs for </li><li style="flex:1">For the purposes of the project, and costs of </li></ul>equipment and supplies (new or services, provided they correspond to market rates. used) Cost of consumables A lump sum not exceeding 7% of the total amount of direct eligible costs may be claimed as indirect Administrative Costs costs to cover the administrative overheads incurred by the Lead Partner for the project. The 7flat-rate funding in respect of indirect costs does not need to be supported by accounting documents. Subcontracting expenditure Other costs Costs deriving directly from the requirements of the Grant Contract (for example, information and dissemination activities, evaluations, external audits, translation, etc.) including financial service costs (in particular the cost of bank transfers and financial guarantees). Moreover, a contingency reserve not exceeding 5% of the eligible costs may be included in the budget of the Project. It can only be used with the prior written authorisation of the Joint Managing Authority. Ineligible Expenses ••••••debts and provisions for losses or debts; interest owed; items already financed in another framework; purchases of land or buildings; currency exchange losses; taxes, including VAT, unless the Beneficiary (or the Beneficiary’s partners) cannot reclaim them and the applicable regulations do not forbid coverage of taxes; ••credits to third parties; the costs incurred by the beneficiaries’ associates with the exception of travel and accommodation costs. Stages of Submission/Approval of Proposals • Preparation of Proposals <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">-</li><li style="flex:1">Initial project idea: potential beneficiaries may submit their project idea to a </li></ul>database found in the webpage of the Programme, <a href="/goto?url=http://www.enpicbcmed.eu" target="_blank">www.enpicbcmed.eu</a>, by completing a special form, notifying in this way their idea to potential interested partners. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">-</li><li style="flex:1">Search for partners: further to the database in the Programme’s webpage you </li></ul>may also contact the National Contact Points of each country. 8• Preparation of the Grant Application Form <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">-</li><li style="flex:1">The grant application form should be prepared by all participating partners </li></ul>after studying the relevant documents of the Programme and especially the Guidelines for Applicants that can be found in the webpage of the Programme. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">-</li><li style="flex:1">The application must be prepared in electronic format either in English or </li></ul>French and submitted in a sealed envelope by registered mail, private courier service or by hand-together with all supporting documentation. The application pack and the relevant templates can be found in the Programme’s webpage. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">-</li><li style="flex:1">For further information interested parties may contact the Joint Managing </li></ul>Authority by e-mail or by fax no later than 21 calendar days before the deadline for the submission of the proposals. • Submission of Proposal <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">-</li><li style="flex:1">The deadline for the submission of proposals will be specified in the call for </li></ul>proposals. • Evaluation and Selection of Projects <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">-</li><li style="flex:1">Following the closure of the call for the submission of proposals, application </li></ul>forms will be examined and evaluated by the Project Selection Committee, supported by the Joint Managing Authority and the Joint Technical Secretariat, and with the assistance of external assessors. All proposals will be evaluated based on the eligibility criteria set in the Guidelines for Applicants. --- The Project Selection Committee prepares a list with all the recommended projects and sends it via the Joint Managing Authority to the Joint Monitoring Committee for approval. Applicants will be informed by the Joint Managing Authority in writing of the Joint Monitoring Committee decision concerning their application and the reason for the decision. The Joint Managing Authority signs the Grant Contract with the Lead Partners of approved projects. The procedure of Submission, Evaluation and Selection of Projects lasts approximately between 13-15 months. Based on article 2 of the Special Conditions, approved projects may start being implemented: --the day following that on which the Grant Contract has been fully signed, or the first day of the month following the date on which the first instalment of pre-financing is paid by the Joint Managing Authority, or <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">at a later date. </li><li style="flex:1">-</li></ul>9The certification of expenses will be undertaken by an independent auditor each time an advance is requested to the Joint Managing Authority. It is noted that for the certification of expenses of the Cypriot partners an independent auditor will need to be hired, who will be approved by the Planning Bureau and whose cost will be covered by the project under category “Other costs”. The auditors need to be members of a professional organisation of accountants/auditors. It is noted that, were applicable, the Public Procurement Rules should be followed. General Information about the Programme Institutional Framework Further information about the operational framework, management and implementation of projects is included primarily in the following documents: -- Regulation 1638/2006 laying down general provisions establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. Regulation 951/2007 laying down implementing rules for cross-border cooperation programmes financed under Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down general provisions establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">-</li><li style="flex:1">Regulation No 1998/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the </li></ul>Treaty to de minimis aid. --- Practical Guide to contract procedures for EC external actions (PRAG). Public Procurement Procedures Law 12(Ι)/2006. The Joint Operational Programme, the Guidelines for Applicants, the Grant Application Form and the Grant Contract which can be found in the Programme’s webpage <a href="/goto?url=http://www.enpicbcmed.eu" target="_blank">www.enpicbcmed.eu </a>and also in the webpage of the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund of the Planning Bureau <a href="/goto?url=http://www.structuralfunds.org.cy" target="_blank">www.structuralfunds.org.cy</a>. 10 Joint Monitoring Committee The Joint Monitoring Committee is the decision-making body of the Programme. It consists of a delegation from each country participating in the Programme, the Director of the Joint Managing Authority without voting right, a representative of the European Commission as an observer and without any decision-making power and a representative of each Branch Office, without voting right, with advisory status.

Information Leaflet “Cross-Border Cooperation Programme ENPI

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