FAQ


Background

Finance Questions

Content Questions: Project Ideas

Content Questions: Project Development

Content Questions: Pre-Assessment

Content Questions: Application

Content Questions: Implementation and Reporting

Content Questions: Project Closure

Content Questions: Future Perspectives

Communications


Background

Q- How does the North Sea Region Programme link to the European Policy Framework?

Q- What is a transnational cooperation programme?

Q- Who are the responsible Committees of the Programme?

Q- What are the main aims of the North Sea Region Programme?

Q- Which thematic fields does the Programme work with?

Q- Which geographical area does the Programme cover?

Q- How much funding does the Programme have?

Q- Is there an official language for the Programme?


Finance Questions

Q- Where can I get information about funds available for my project idea?

Q- Auto decommitment and spending targets - Is it true that a project risks losing part of the grant if the annual spending targets as set out in table 13.2 of the application and repeated in the contract are not met?

Q- Eligibility period - Within which period of time are costs eligible?

Q- The contract - What is the legal form of relationship between the approved project and the Secretariat?

Q- The contract - What do we do if we have not received the contract shortly after we have been notified that the project was approved?

Q- 1st level control - What is the role of the 1st level controller?

Q- 1st level control - Who can be designated as a 1st level controller?

Q- 1st level control - How can I get my controller designated?

Q- The Lead Beneficiary`s responsibility - What is the role of the Lead Beneficiary within the project?

Q- Evidence of expenditure - How do I provide evidence of incurred expenditure?

Q- Evidence of expenditure - Do we have to send bills, time sheets and invoices to the Secretariat?

Q- Staff costs and overhead - Are staff costs eligible?

Q- Travel and accommodation - Are study tours eligible?

Q- Travel and accommodation - Are costs for travel by car eligible?

Q- General costs/Overhead costs - How are general costs/overhead costs calculated?

Q- Income - How does income generated in the project affect the ERDF grant?

Q- Irrecoverable VAT - To what extent is irrecoverable VAT eligible?

Q- Ineligible expenditure - Could this expenditure not just be omitted in the reports?

Q- Subcontractors located in- and outside the eligible area - Can project activities be subcontracted to a contractor outside the eligible area?

Q- Currency - What currency is used in financial matters?

Q- Funding and Norwegian money - Are there any special requirements concerning Norwegian project partners?

Q- External experts / consultants working as project manager - Is it possible to appoint an external expert or a consultant as project manager?


Content Questions: Project Ideas

Q- Does my project idea fit the Programme?

Q- How can I get involved in a project as either beneficiary or lead beneficiary?

Q- How can a project idea be published on the Programme website?


Content Questions: Project Development

Q- What is meant by transnational co-operation?

Q- How can an investment be transnational?

Q- What should the outcome of a North Sea Region Programme project be?

Q- Who can participate in a project?


Content Questions: Pre-Assessment

Q- What is pre-assessment and why should a project proposal perform pre-assessment?

Q- Is there a particular format to be used for pre-assessment?

Q- When can I submit my project idea for pre-assessment and when can I expect feedback?

Q- Is it possible to do pre-assessment for the same project proposal several times?


Content Questions: Application

Q- How are projects selected?

Q- Do I need to carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for my project?

Q- Which criteria does my project have to meet in order to be approved?

Q- What kinds of attributes is the Programme looking for in projects?

In line with the selection criteria, the Programme is looking for projects with certain attributes:

  • Projects should create long lasting results and an impact for the North Sea Region. This can be demonstrated by anticipating results that have will be used beyond the project life time, that function as a catalyst and that are part of a long term strategy. The description of relevant follow-up activities and continuous cooperation will demonstrate the potential impact of a project. For further information: Info Sheet No 1.
  • Projects should follow an overall transnational approach. This can be demonstrated by describing the need for cooperation with other countries, the common problem that cannot be solved by one country alone, the joint working and implementation methods, and the solution anticipated that provides benefit for all partners and ideally for other parts of the North Sea Region. For further information: Info Sheet No 2.
  • Projects should contribute to the Lisbon and Gothenburg agendas. This can be demonstrated by linking the project results to the aims of the agendas, i.e. by describing how the project will promote knowledge and innovation and contribute to sustainable development, recognizing the interdependency of economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. For further information: Info Sheet No 3.
  • Projects should be oriented towards implementation. This can be demonstrated through action-based activities that exceed the concept-level. For example, it will not be sufficient to establish a concept or strategy as a final project output. Instead projects should carry out activities that make use of the concept and implement the strategy developed.
  • Projects should contribute to a positive innovation orientated culture in the North Sea Region. This can be demonstrated by explaining the innovative elements of project activities and outcomes and the way the project contributes to the transition to a knowledge-based economy. For further information: Info Sheet No 4.
  • Projects should link to European policies. This can be demonstrated by describing how the project activities and results contribute to policies or initiatives on European but also national level. Depending on the topic of the project this could be documents such as the White Paper for Transport 2010, the EU Maritime Policy or National Reference Frameworks.
  • Projects should capitalise on former and other projects. This can be demonstrated by demonstrating that the project does not intent to duplicate any work that has been or is currently being carried out. To find out what has been achieved, please refer to the final results of the IIIB Programme. To investigate on which projects are currently implemented, check the project section. A way of demonstrating the added value is to be aware of the similarities, highlighting the complementarities. Direct cooperation between projects may support the knowledge transfer sought for.

 


Q- How do I submit a project proposal for funding?

Q- How many partners should my project have?

Q- How can I establish relevant indicators for my project?


Content Questions: Implementation and Reporting

Q- What happens if a partner drops out of an approved project?

Q- When is the deadline for reporting?

Q- What am I expected to report on – content wise?

Q- What is the procedure concerning appendices?

Q- What happens if I as a Lead Beneficiary am not able to submit a report on time?

Q- What happens if an activity needs to be changed in a running project?

Q- Can a project carry out activities outside the eligible area?

Q- How do I register changes to my project using the online changes system?

Q- What happens if I need to extend the project ‘completion’ date?


Content Questions: Project Closure

Q- What happens once my project is finished?


Content Questions: Future Perspectives

Q- What happens to the project after its closure?

Q- How can my project achieve a long term legacy?


Communications

Q- What is the role of communications in the overall structure of the project?

Q- Why not wait with communications and publicity until the project is underway?

Q- Why do projects need a Communication Plan?

Q- What are the relevant target groups for the promotion of the project and how can they be addressed?

Q- Why is it necessary to include a budget in the Communication Plan? How much should be spent on communications?

Q- Do projects running under the Programme need to have their own website?

Q- What are the formal requirements of the European Commission and the Programme concerning communications and publicity?

Q- Is there a general Programme tagline, which should be used on the publicity materials?

Q- Where can I find the Programme logo, tagline and ERDF reference? Which versions and formats of the Programme logo are available?

Q- Are there any rules on how to use the Programme logo and the ERDF reference?

Q- What are the benefits of using the project section on the Programme website for the promotion of project activities and results?

Q- How can the editable parts of your project presentation on the Programme website be accessed?

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