European Union European Regional Development Fund

1. European Union European Regional Development Fund Preparatory projects as tool for project development4th February 2009 – Sundsvall, SwedenMaxi Nachtigall

2. General purpose of preparatory projects • Producing a well-balanced, high quality main project application with an appropriate partnership constellation • Facilitate the development of joint project plans on themes that correspond to the objectives of the programme • Committing partners to specific contributions • Reducing risks connected to main projects In general, it is to ensure that a project is meeting all the NPP core concepts of transnationality and added value.

3. General background information • Continuous call • Application can be submitted at any time • Expenditure will become eligible from the date of submission Minimum requirements • Project idea • At least 2 contributing partners from 2 countries • Public match funding in place, confirmed through match funding commitments

4. Current status of preparatory projects in the NPP 2007-2013 programme • Approximately 49% of the funding has been committed to date • 247 942 Euro or 50% of the initial allocation of 500 000 Euro to preparatory projects has been committed to 18 projects • The average project commitment is 12 086 Euro • 11 343 Euro for Priority 1 • 14 129 Euro for Priority 2 • Priority 1 commitment level is 68,8%% or 124 768 Euro • Priority 2 commitment level is 31,2% or 56 515 Euro • There is 252 058 Euro remaining from the initial allocation to preparatory project or the equivalent of funding

5. Preparatory projects as project development support tools • Addressing programme identified gaps after the 3rd call decisions • Kept in focus for accepting new preparatory project applications • During spring 2009 preparatory project call to also include themes where the programme still do not have any ongoing main projects • Continued focused call on 6 months preparatory projects • Approval only preparatory projects dealing with identified gaps and not yet sufficiently addressed themes in the program • Special spring 2009 call for up to 1 year preparatory projects • Designed to ensure that a meeting with NPP secretariat will be conducted and that preparation can continue until next expected end date, early March 2010. • Programme Secretariat’s tools to work pro-actively promoting the identified gaps • Attracting project idea holders to apply for identified project gaps/ attract potential project idea holders

6. Identified themes/ gaps In Priority 1 Objective ” To facilitate development through the use of advanced information and communication technologies and transportation in the programme area” the four themes i) increased use of ICT to overcome distance iii) developing innovative product and service solutions for developing and maintaining transport infrastructure with regard to roads, railways, airports and ports under harsh climatic conditions iv) development of transport schemes that benefit rural communities, such as new maritime routes v) maritime safety in relation to remote areas with arctic, harsh conditions. In Priority 2 Objective: To improve sustainable development in peripheral regions by strengthening urban-rural relations and enhancing regional heritage i) urban-rural partnerships for new service solutions

7. 6 months preparatory project 30 000 EUR total budget 18 000 EUR from NPP, 60 % grant rate Conditions: public match funding in place, confirmed through match funding commitment forms project plan indicating potential tangible interesting products and services. offering participation in a main project development workshop in November 2009; facilitated by Programme Secretariat Continued focused call for preparatory projects: 19th January 2009 until 30th June 2009

8. 1 year preparatory projects as a new tool • Increase the success rate of preparatory projects • Increasing the quality of their main project application in 2010 • Initiative started on 19th January 2009 • Submission of preparatory project application no later than 30th June 2009 • Secretariat is only allowed to approve preparatory projects addressing focused themes • End date for approved preparatory project,no later than 1st March 2010

9. 1 year preparatory project • 37 500 EUR total budget • 22 500 EUR from NPP, 60 % grant rate • Conditions: • public match funding in place, confirmed through match funding commitment forms • project plan • indicating potential tangible interesting products and services. • participate in a main project development workshop in November 2009; facilitated by Programme Secretariat

10. Next steps • Further develop your project idea • Visit NPP website www.northernperiphery.eu and note two different application forms for 6 months and 1 year preparatory project • Get in contact with your Regional Contact Point • Submit application in an original blue ink signed and electronic version to Northern Periphery Programme Secretariat Strandgade 91, 4. sal DK-1401 Copenhagen K, DENMARK secretariat@northernperiphery.eu A new review of the focused call for preparatory projects will be made in connection to the Programme Monitoring Committee in June 2009 on Faroe Islands Check NPP website for regular updates of the application package or application requirements

11. Contact Details – Programme Secretariat • Northern Periphery Programme Secretariat Strandgade 91, 4. sal DK-1401 Copenhagen K, DENMARKFax: +45 3283 3775 • NiclasForsling– Head of Secretariat • Tel. +45 3283 3786, niclas.forsling@northernperiphery.eu • Christopher Parker – Programme Manger for Project Development Support • Tel. +45 3283 3782, christopher.parker@northernperiphery.eu • Kirsti Mijnhijmer – Programme Manager for Information & Communication • Tel. +45 3283 3784, kirsti.mijnhijmer@northernperiphery.eu • Maxi Nachtigall– Project Officer • Tel. +45 3283 3785, maxi.nachtigall@northernperiphery.eu

12. For further information, please visit: www.northernperiphery.eu Thank you for listening!