ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME 2010 FOR GRANTS

of Joint Managing Authority of Estonia-Latvia-Russia Cross Border Cooperation Programme within European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument 2007-2013

1. Basic act and Financing source

Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 laying down general provisions establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument;

Decision of the European Commission No C(2008) 8332 of 17 December 2008 adopting the Estonia-Latvia-Russia Cross Border Cooperation Programme within European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument 2007-2013 (hereinafter – Programme);

Financing Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the European Community on Financing and implementing the Cross Border Cooperation Programme signed on 18 November 2009.

Financed by European Community funding (budget line No 19 08 02 01 and 19 08 02 02).

2. Objectives of the Programme, priorities for year 2010 and expected results

The strategic objective of the Programme is to promote joint development activities for the improvement of the region’s competitiveness by utilising its potential and beneficial location in the cross roads between the European Union and the Russian federation.

The specific objective of the Programme is to make the wider border area an attractive place for both its inhabitants and businesses through activities aimed at improving the living standards and investment climate.

The Programme will be developed on the basis of the following three priorities and ralated measures:

Priority I: Socio-economic development

Measure 1.1 Fostering of socio-economic development and encouraging business and entrepreneurship;

Measure 1.2 Transport, logistics and communication solutions;

Measure 1.3 Tourism development.

Priority II: Common challenges

Measure 2.1 Joint actions aimed at protection of environment and natural resources;

Measure 2.2 Preservation and promotion of cultural and historical heritage and support of local traditional skills;

Measure 2.3 Improvement of energy efficiency and promotion of renewable energy sources.

Priority III:  Promotion of people to people cooperation 

Measure 3.1 Development of local initiative, increasing administrative capacities of local and regional authorities.

Measure 3.2 Cooperation in spheres of culture, sport, education, social and health;

 

Each measure will be implemented through different types of cross border joint actions such as among others research and innovation activities, promotion of networks, exchange and transfer of know-how, training, awareness raising campaigns, etc. (Further details can be found in the Programme and Guidelines for Grant Applicants).

3. Eligibility conditions

Applicants must be located (have their legal address) in the Programme area as defined in the Programme.

The Programme funding up to a limit of 20% may be used for financing the expenditure incurred by the partners from adjoining areas in the Republic of Estonia or the Republic of Latvia.

If it is necessary for implementation of the action and for the benefit of the Programme territory, in duly justified cases up to 10 % of the action's total budget can be spent for implementation of the action soft activities outside the Programme area.

Different types of actors can participate in the Programme: national, regional and local public authorities, associations of these, public equivalent bodies and associations formed by these, NGOs and other non-profit making bodies, educational organizations as well as certain types of small or medium sized enterprises who can participate only within Priority 1 (hereinafter – SME). More detailed definition of eligible partners can be found in the Programme and Guidelines for Grant Applicants.  

Partnerships should include a minimum of two partners of which  at least one from the Republic of Estonia or Republic of Latvia and one from Russian Federation.

4. Selection and award criteria

The evaluation will be carried out in accordance with:

The Programme;

The Guidelines for Grant Applicants approved by the Joint Monitoring Committee;

Regulation No 1638/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 laying down general provisions establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument;

Commission Regulation No 951/2007 of 9 August 2007 laying down implementing rules for cross-border cooperation programmes financed under Regulation No 1638/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down general provisions establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument;

The procedures set out in the Practical Guide to Contract procedures for EC external actions.

5. Maximum rate of Community financing

The financing rate of ENPI funds (the Programme funds) for Priority I to Priority III shall be up to 90% of total eligible expenditure of the action. In case of small and medium size enterprises, the financing rate of ENPI funds (the Programme funds) may be up to 50% of total eligible costs of respective SME.

6. Schedule of calls for proposals

Expected time for the launch of 1st Call for Proposals is end of May - beginning of June. Expected time for the launching of the 2nd Call for Proposals is the end of 2010, however it depends on results of the 1st Call for Proposals.

The Call for Proposals with exact date for the launch will be published on the Programme’s website: www.estlatrus.eu.

7. Indicative amount of calls for proposals

The overall amount made available from the Programme under 1st Call for Proposals is EUR 23 648 491 and the overall indicative amount made available from the Programme for the 2nd Call for Proposals will be agreed by Joint Monitoring Committee based on results of the 1st Call for Proposals.