Expressions of Interest Workshop

1. Expressions of Interest Workshop Michelle Targett ERDF Priority Axis 2 Manager ERDF TEAM

2. Objectives • To provide applicants with an understanding of the Expression of Interest process • To provide applicants with an understanding of the ERDF Expression of Interest Form • To provide applicants with an understanding of the Assessment Framework • Highlight key areas of best practice

3. Question 1What will your project deliver and how? • Higher weighted question (Maximum of 30 marks) • A clear description of the project activities • A clear description of the projects outputs and outcomes • Explanation of how the project activities deliver added value • Confirmation that the proposed activity won’t duplicate existing activity • An explanation of why your organisation is best placed to deliver this project

4. Question 2Strategic fit • Higher weighted question (Maximum of 6 marks) • Demonstrate how your proposed activity will link with relevant national, regional and sub-regional strategies (including the District Local Investment Plan) • Strategies must not be more than 3 years old.

5. QUESTION 3Track Record • Provide details of the type of projects you’ve delivered in the last 3 years • Shows comparisons between contracted and actual • Outputs • Finance • Has your organisation managed an ERDF funded project previously? • Where no previous experience have you provided a clear description of the research, scoping and / or piloting that you’ve undertaken

6. QUESTION 4 Delivery Capability • To what extent will the partners enhance the delivery of the project? • Describe main role and responsibilities of each partner • Describe how each partner will add value • Where there are no partners, describe how the project has the ability to deliver without partners.

7. QUESTION 5Performance Indicators • Higher weighted question (Maximum of 6 marks) • Are you using the correct programme outputs? • Be realistic with your forecasts • Does your project provide value for money? • Have you explained how the outputs have been calculated?

8. QUESTION 6Project Costs • Do the costs add up? • Are the costs relevant to the activity? • Does your project provide value for money? • Have you kept within the ERDF allowable cost heading restrictions? • Are all the costs (including your match funding) eligible for ERDF support? • All expenditure, outputs and a final evaluation will need to be completed by 30 June 2015 • Does the ERDF requested and percentage agree?

9. QUESTION 7Match Funding • All match funding must be ‘clean’ • Written confirmation will be required at full application • Contributions in kind are ineligible for ERDF, except for the donation of a building or land, where a clear valuation can be made • Does the match funding add up?

10. Scoring Criteria • Important to read the Assessment Framework in conjunction of completing the EOI • Four different scores available • 3 – Full Description • 2 – Partial Description • 1 – Some Description • 0 – No Description • Projects must score a minimum of 30 points (50%) to pass the threshold to invited to Full Application

11. First Stage Basic Eligibility Checks • Is the EOI fully complete and signed? • Is the applicant organisation eligible to apply? • Is the location of activity within the eligible area ? • Do the proposed start and end timescales align with the bidding guidance • Do the activities clearly align with Local Investment Plan eligible activity? • Do the activities fall into the ineligible or restricted categories listed in the ERDF PA2 guidance? • Are the activities proposed more suitable for ESF funding? • Does the activity fall within one of the PA2 Lisbon codes?

12. Expression of Interest Process • District Launch – Friday 27th May and Information Event – Wednesday 8th June • EOI’s to be submitted to District by set timetable – 4pm Friday 24th June • EOI to undergo initial eligibility check – early July • EOI’s to be assessed by the ERDF Team/Districts – mid July • Board meetings to prioritise and endorse EOIs – late July • CBC to invite full applications from successful applicants and notify unsuccessful application – end July • Projects to return applications to Districts by set timetable – early Sept (tbc) • Applications sent to ERDF Team for assessment and appraisal – mid Oct • Project approved and contracted – earliest start date 1 January 2012

13. Further Information Links ERDF (Applying for funding) www.eastmidlandserdf.org.uk State Aid www.berr.gov.uk ERDF TEAM – Priority Axis 2 Michelle Targett ERDF Contract Manager  michelletargett@emd.org.uk • 0115 947 1768 Kevin Hall ERDF Contract Officer  kevinhall@emd.org.uk • 0115 947 1733 Martin Holland ERDF Contract Officer • martinholland@emd.org.uk • 0115 988 8403 Adrian Matthews ERDF Contract Officer • adrianmatthews@emd.org.uk • 0115 947 1785

14. Questions?