Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Public Administration 2014

Nordic-Baltic co-operation The Nordic-Baltic co- operation is a multilateral co-operation between eight countries (NB8): the Nordic countries, within the framework of the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM), Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Nordic-Baltic mobility Programmes 2014: NB mobility programme for public administration NB mobility programme for business and industry (tbc) NB mobility programme for culture NordPlus Programme

Financing of the programmes The programmes are financed by the Nordic and Baltic countries on an equal footing. The annual budget of approximately 15 million DKK (corresponding to 2 mln EUR) has been allocated to the programmes.

Objectives of the Mobility Programme for Public Administration to promote and strengthen cooperation, exchange of knowledge and networks between public administration structures on all administrative levels in NB8 countries to facilitate the harmonisation of more efficient working methods of the public sector the overall goal is to increase the global competitive power of the region

Purposes of the programme promotion of knowledge transfer for mutual benefit within different sector areas promotion of network cooperation in politically prioritised areas promotion of experience exchange on best practices in respect of public administration and facilitation of harmonisation of standards promotion of cross-sectoral cooperation promotion of ministerial cooperation and capacity building within local and regional authorities facilitation of joint Nordic-Baltic utilisation of different EU funds and project financing

Applicants The programme is open for applications by individuals or groups (2-8 persons) of Nordic and Baltic civil servants and other staff with similar functions employed in public administration, authorities and institutions at all administrative levels (state, county, regional or local level, unions of local governments) and from different sectors.

Roadmap

Host organisations Applicants should identify and contact host organisations to be visited under the programme. A letter of confirmation/invitation from the potential host organisations is required in the application.

Participation of 3 countries (NB/BN 1+2) Nordic/Baltic mobility to at least two countries: Nordic applicants should visit partners in min. two Baltic countries, and Baltic applicants should visit partners in min. two Nordic countries (inter-Nordic or inter-Baltic mobility is not eligible for funding) Network mobility to one country for at least three parties: Nordic applicants should invite partners from min. two Baltic countries, and Baltic applicants should invite partners from min. two Nordic countries to the network events

Eligible forms of activity study visits internships network activities, such as seminars and workshops with the aim to strengthen cooperation within the priority areas of the programme

Duration of activities the range of duration of stay in the country of destination is generally min. 3 and max. 10 working days per country in special cases, e.g. internships and on the job- training, a maximum of 20 working days per country is possible programme activities split into two occasions must take place within a period of 6 months

Financial framework A total of approximately EUR annually has been earmarked for the programme. Co-financing the programme covers max. 65% (from 2014) of the total eligible costs of the mobility activity confirmation letter regarding min. 35% (from 2014) co-financing is required in the application co-financing of 40% will be required from 2015

travel expenses (economy class) travel insurance accommodation and per diems (max. 110 EUR per person per day from the programme grant) Eligible costs

Non-eligible costs: support for participation in conferences or seminars not initiated by the network support for participation in regular Nordic-Baltic meetings at ministerial or senior official level infrastructure and office rent (this is assumed to be covered nationally or by the home institutions of the participating partners) interpretation and translation costs in-kind contributions, such as salary other costs which are not in harmony with the objectives of the programme

Applications Applications to the programme should be submitted via the electronic application and reporting system: Documents enclosed to the application a letter of recommendation from the employer a confirmation regarding co-financing letters of confirmation/invitations from the host organisations

Decisions on grants The programme does not allow earmarking of funds, neither in relation to country of origin nor in relation to sector. Decisions on grants are taken by the Directors of the NCMs’ Offices in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania: based on the quality of applications and the budget frames of the programme following the criteria for support (see Guidelines) following the indicators of success (see Guidelines) cross-sectoral activities are given priority in the selection process group applications are prioritised over mobility activities for individuals

Payment procedures 85% of grant (calculated on the basis of 65 % of the total eligible costs for the activity) is paid as advance payment the remaining part is paid after a report on the project has been submitted

Reporting requirements a report is to be presented via the electronic application and reporting system to the NCM’s Office in Estonia no later than 30 days after completion of the mobility activity/ end of the projectwww.nb8grants.org copies of receipts and/or tickets (scanned) should be added to the report; originals of receipts and/or tickets should be kept by the applying organization for 5 years

Next application deadline 30 March 2014 Programme Guidelines and information: Applications and reporting:

Mid Term evaluation 2011 The mid-term evaluation of the mobility programme has positively characterized the programme as a smart player in contributing to the Nordic – Baltic development of public administrations: “The smartness stems from its bottom-up approach, its openness and flexibility as well as from its capacity to act as a catalyst for the ordinary civil servants’ endeavours to enrich their everyday work by looking abroad, towards the Baltic Sea region as a whole…”

Statistics applications, 64 grants EUR

Statistics applications, 68 grants EUR Participating countries 2012 in total numbers (applicants and partners)

Statistics 2012 Type of activity 2012 in total numbers

Statistics 2012 Individual participants in all projects by sex (419 persons in total)

Statistics 2012 Granted applications by sector of activity

Statistics applications, 75 grants, incl 61 group study visits, 11 individual study visits, 3 network projects Total sum of grants: EUR

Management Body of the Programme Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia Madis Kanarbik Programme Coordinator norden.ee norden.ee Tel:

Thank you!