Partners and cross-border cooperation

Why a partnership? Address common challenges jointly (e.g. cross-border pollution) Jointly develop opportunities (e.g. cross-border tourism) Share experience and good practice on issues of common interest (e.g. regional development)

What sort of partnership? Minimum obligatory requirements: one or several partners from EU Member States (BG, GR, RO) and one or several partners from Partner Countries (AM, GE, MD, UA) and/or Turkey. Recommendations: At least 4 partners from at least 4 different countries; No. of partners – 4 to 8 partners. Rewarded partnerships: Additional 5 points for having at least 3 partners from 3 of the following countries: Armenia, Georgia, R. Moldova, Ukraine and Turkey.

Responsibilities Responsibilities 1/3 Beneficiary:  Applicant;  Signs a Partnership Agreement with each partner - laying down arrangements for their relations - as a prior condition for concluding the Grant Contract with JMA;  Signs the Grant Contract with JMA;  Ensures coordination of the implementation of the Action;  Transfers the ENPI contribution to project partners;  Claims the reimbursement of expenses from JMA and transfer these reimbursements to the partners;  Ensures that the expenditure presented by project partners has been paid for the purpose of implementing the operation and corresponds to the activities agreed between the partners;  Ensures the sound financial management of the whole project; it shall contract auditors or use the designated controllers for the verification of expenditure in accordance with programme procedures (PRAG);  Organizes the recovery of amounts unduly spent;  Provides the JMA with all data relevant for monitoring indicators;  Records and store project documents.

Responsibilities Responsibilities 2/3 Participation of Turkish partner(s) Turkish partners shall appoint an IPA Financial Lead Beneficiary (IPA FLB) among themselves IPA FLB shall cooperate closely with the ENPI Beneficiary for a successful implementation of the joint project and with the aim of ensuring single operational reporting of the project ENPI Grant Contract ENPI Beneficiary JMA IPA FLB CFCU in Turkey IPA Grant Contract

IPA Lead Beneficiary ENPI Beneficiary ENPI Partner 1 IPA partner 1 ENPI Partner 2 JMA IPA partner 1 CFCU JMC EC Delegation

Responsibilities Responsibilities 3/3 Partners:  Sign a Partnership Agreement with the Applicant as a prior condition for concluding the Grant Contract with JMA;  Ensure the implementation of the project activities under their responsibility;  Cooperate with the partners in the implementation of the project, reporting and monitoring;  Provide financial and progress reports to the auditors/controllers for the verification of expenditure per each of the reporting periods and ensure full cooperation and assistance for the timely and accurate performance of verification;  Assume responsibility in the event of any irregularity in the expenditure they have declared and repay the Beneficiary the amounts unduly received.

Beneficiary capacity Beneficiary should have: Appropriate project management experience and track record Sufficient financial capacity Appropriate human resources Able to ensure that results are sustained and project records are kept

Capacity of partners Partners should be able to: Receive and and properly use funds Finance activities Implement the required activities Provide required reports and keep required documentation

Finding a partner? Make use of existing networks (NGO networks, association of cities, international organisations etc.) Use programme, RCBI and other partner search tools - website and database Ask National Info Points, JMA, check other sources Contact your own network first and ask them for new contacts/potential partners

Tools for building partnerships "Partner Search" tool on –Search for partners in all participating countries –Register to be included in the database –by country, by Priority and by Measure "Finding Partners" tools on RCBI’s website on –Find partners in the Partner Countries –Find Partners in EU Member States and Turkey –Register to be included in the Partner Countries database Submitting project ideas on –only those project ideas explicitly mentioned as “to be published” will be posted in order to facilitate partnerships

What sort of partners? Those working on similar themes/subjects Partners who will ensure added value and that are necessary for the implementation of the project A tip: Think outside your usual field of operations e.g. include a media partner if you need to raise awareness

Involving partners? Ensure joint interest: commitment depends on how well project fits in with the organisations goals and strategy Ensure good communication and common understanding on project development Identify precisely the expected results Be pro-active: who else should be involved in the project for the project success?

Contacting partners First contact is vital, prepare yourself Explain common benefits Agree steps for follow up

Useful information Programme’s website Joint Managing Authority National Info Points contact details: