Cooperation in the mainstream programmes / article 37-6b example of Limousin (France) ‏

1. Cooperation in the mainstream programmes / article 37-6bexample of Limousin (France)‏ • 731 000 inhabitants • 43 inhab / km² • 39% population is rural

2. Agenda • Reference in the regional OP • Budget allocation • Types of operation • Conditions for implementation • Communication strategy • Administrative procedure- Application form - Required justifying documents - Letter of commitment • Practical case study

3. Reference in the ROP Axis 5Strategic objectives • To reduce the negative impact of borders on economic development and EU territorial integration • To improve theefficiency of policies and tools dedicated to competitiveness and cohesion • To identifyinnovative solutions to similar problems for which a regional or national approach is not relevant • To valorize Limousin’s potential and know-how and to reinforce its positive image

4. Reference in the ROP Axis 5Specific objectives • To disseminate the added value of previous interregional cooperation experiences • To stimulate, facilitate and simplify the access to interregional cooperation • To develop transnational partnerships able to apply for targeted European programmes (FP7, CIP, Youth…) • To promote interregional cooperation for the benefit of local stakeholders

5. Strategic orientations of OP ERDF in Limousin • Axis 1 = Reinforcing the potential of research, training, innovation & technologies transfers • Axis 2 = Developing the competitiveness, entrepreneurship and employment • Axis 3 = Reinforcing the capacity of territories to attract and welcome new populations • Axis 4 = Valorising the quality of environment and ensuring sustainable development • Axis 5 = Facilitating partnerships of international and interregional cooperation

6. Total Expenditures ERDFamount ERDFfunding rate Axis 1 111 711 111 € 30 300 000 € 27 % Axis 2 201 259 820 € 35 000 000 € 17 % Axis 3 172 500 000 € 38 000 000 € 22 % Axis 4 65 400 000 € 16 340 000 € 25 % Axis 5 10 000 000 € 4 000 000 € 40 % Technical assistance 6 031 892 € 3 619 135 € 60 % Total 566 902 823 € 127 259 135 € 22 % Budget allocationof OP ERDF in Limousin

7. Axis 5Types of operation • Networks = exchange and dissemination of informations between partners interested in a project => new knowledge and innovative methods • Pilot projects = exchange and transfer of good practices, concentrating on a specific thematic of cooperation => new types of actions • Regional frame operation = capitalisation of good practices within a strategic and operational framework => methodology and tools for transfer _ + Intensity of cooperation

8. Axis 5Coherence and synergies Measure 1 1 million € ERDF Regional frame operation Measure 22 millions € ERDF Pilot projects Measure 31 million € ERDF Networks Local initiatives of bilateral cooperation

9. Axis 5 – Measure 1“Regional frame operation” • BeneficiariesRegional authorities (NUTS II)‏ • Types of actionsElaboration of a « resources center » for the capitalization of regional & transferable good practices • Types of expendituresTravelling costs, personnel costs for management and coordination, logistical costs for organizing seminars, trainings and conferences, studies, translation and communication costs • Eligibility conditionsThematic coherence with regional strategy focusing on rural development and territorial cohesionMininum 5 partners involved from 3 member states • Funding conditionsMaximum public funding rate = 100%Maximum ERDF rate = 75%Minimum ERDF amount = 500 000 € CAPITALIZATION

10. Axis 5 – Measure 2“Pilot projects” • BeneficiariesLocal authorities, natural parks, associations, research and training institutes, consular chambers, firms • Types of actionsTransfer of experiences, knowledge & know-how, implementation of tools & services, common actions, methodological support for EU project application • Types of expendituresIngeneering, studies and expertiseTravel expenses Material investment within a pilot action and for exceptional circumstances, real estate expenses • Eligibility conditionsThematic coherence with regional strategyMininum 2 partners involved from 2 member states • Funding conditionsMaximum public funding rate = 100%Maximum ERDF rate = 55%Minimum ERDF amount = 10 000 € EXPERIMENTATION

11. Axis 5 – Measure 3“Networks” • BeneficiariesLocal authorities, natural parks, associations, research and training institutes, consular chambers, firms • Types of actionsParticipation of Limousin partners involved in existing cooperation networks, support to the creation of new networks (focusing on scientific & technological issues)‏ • Types of expendituresTravelling costs, personnel costs for management and coordination, logistical costs for organizing seminars, trainings and conferences, translation costs, studies • Eligibility conditionsThematic coherence with regional strategyMininum 3 partners involved from 3 member states • Funding conditionsMaximum public funding rate = 100%MaximumERDF rate = 50%Minimum ERDF amount = 5 000 € EXCHANGES

12. Axis 5 – CooperationHow to promote the projects ? • No call procedure in Limousin until now • Communication plan targeted to project leaders : • A specific leaflet with practical informations • Organization of local meetings with all intersted stakeholders • A web site www.europeenlimousin.fr

13. Axis 5 – CooperationAdministrative procedure • Decision of the Programming Regional Committee for European Funds • Decision of the Limousin Regional Assembly • Signature of a Protocol → Commitment of the project leader and financial partners in terms of : • Schedule • Paying conditions • Use of equipments and investments • Controls • Communication on european funds (logos, project promotion...)‏ • Respect of the protocol for the grant and expenditures

14. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Presentation of the project: -Structure leading the project -Name of the project -Total cost and requested ERDF amount If other regional grant is requested, a specific procedure is required

15. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Contact details of the project leader List of european partners to be involved in the project

16. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Contact details ofall partners in the project

17. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Detailed presentation of the partners : their field of competences and their expected added value in the project Objective: to valorize the quality of the project through the cohrence of the partnership

18. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? • Schedule of the project : • The duration of the project will determine the eligibility conditions of expenditures : • Eligibility starting after acknowledge receipt of compete application form • Application form not acceptable if the project is already achieved

19. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Demonstrate the coherence or the project with other axis of ERDF OP, and also with INTERREG IVB or IVC thematic priorities

20. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Demonstrate the relevance of the project (context and tackled challenges) Precise the general objective of the project

21. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Indicate thespecific objectives to be achieved during the project Indicate the concrete outputs expected in the end of the project

22. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Specify the innovative dimension of the project and other key criteria such as gender issues or sustainable development…

23. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Indicate the reason why the project requires a transnational dimension, and the specific added value of cooperation Indicate what are expected impacts of the project and how its sustainability will be ensured by the partners on long term perspective

24. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Specify the action plan with detailed description of tasks and their practical conditions for implementation (who does what?)

25. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Indicate the conditions of management, coordination, and networking between the partners

26. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Indicate the governance conditions, and the members of the steering committee Indicate the evaluation conditions :procedure, schedule (mid term, and/or in the end ?)

27. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Indicate the capitalisation conditionsThe project has to be transferable in other contexts The more transferable, the higher can be ERDF rate with a maximum of 50%

28. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Indicate how communication and publicity of the project will be implemented, reminding that these promotion activities are compulsory regarding european regulations. A communication plan is required with clear and precise objectives

29. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Specify evaluation indicators allowing to quantify the outputs (short term), the results and the impacts (long terms) of the project

30. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Specify the detailed budget with all types of expenditures (including those which are not eligible) :- Staff costs should not exceed 50% of total budget- A degressive ERDF rate for staff costs over time Expenditures of other partners are asked but only as indicative informations Estimates are required for justifying the main expenditures especially for investment costs)

31. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Indicate if the project will produce any takings Indicate already obtained financial resources with cofinancing statements as justifying documents For other expected cofundings, provide official letters or documents for requesting the financial support to the project.

32. Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? A letter of commitment to be signed by legal representative of all partners For networks, a protocol or partnership charter has to be signed by all partners

33. Axis 5 - Cooperation Administrative documents required for the application form • ERDF funding request form (previously detailed) • Commitment Act (signed by the project leader)- agreement with EU rules & control procedures- separate and specific accountancy system- respect of competition rules to be applied • Letter of commitment (signed by partners) • Estimates justifying the main expenditures • Cofinancing statements • Mission fact sheet if staff costs required

34. Axis 5 - Cooperation The letter of commitment • General content : “I do confirm that my organization will take part as associated partner in the project (…)” • Detailed informations on expected role :“In that prospect, my organization accept to achieve the following tasks (….)” • Financial contribution possibly specified (but actually not compulsory) • Signature by the legal representative Flexible and adapted for « unilateral » or « mirror » cooperation (in Limousin)but not secure enough for « common » or « joint » cooperation for which a more detailed protocol is preferable