Cooperation in the mainstream programmes / article 37-6b example of Limousin (France) ‏ inhabitants inhabitants 43 inhab / km² 43 inhab / km² 39% population is rural 39% population is rural

Reference in the regional OP Reference in the regional OP Budget allocation Budget allocation Types of operation Types of operation Conditions for implementation Conditions for implementation Communication strategy Communication strategy Administrative procedure - Application form - Required justifying documents - Letter of commitment Administrative procedure - Application form - Required justifying documents - Letter of commitment Practical case study Practical case study Agenda

Reference in the ROP Axis 5 Strategic objectives To reduce the negative impact of borders on economic development and EU territorial integration To improve the efficiency of policies and tools dedicated to competitiveness and cohesion To identify innovative solutions to similar problems for which a regional or national approach is not relevant To valorize Limousin’s potential and know- how and to reinforce its positive image

Reference in the ROP Axis 5 Specific objectives To disseminate the added value of previous interregional cooperation experiences To stimulate, facilitate and simplify the access to interregional cooperation To develop transnational partnerships able to apply for targeted European programmes (FP7, CIP, Youth…) To promote interregional cooperation for the benefit of local stakeholders

Strategic orientations of OP ERDF in Limousin Axis 1 = Reinforcing the potential of research, training, innovation & technologies transfers Axis 2 = Developing the competitiveness, entrepreneurship and employment Axis 3 = Reinforcing the capacity of territories to attract and welcome new populations Axis 4 = Valorising the quality of environment and ensuring sustainable development Axis 5 = Facilitating partnerships of international and interregional cooperation

Budget allocation of OP ERDF in Limousin 22 % € €Total 60 % € € Technical assistance 40 % € € Axis 5 25 % € € Axis 4 22 % € € Axis 3 17 % € € Axis 2 27 % € € Axis 1 ERDF funding rate ERDF amount Total Expenditures

Axis 5 Types of operation Networks = exchange and dissemination of informations between partners interested in a project => new knowledge and innovative methods Pilot projects = exchange and transfer of good practices, concentrating on a specific thematic of cooperation => new types of actions Regional frame operation = capitalisation of good practices within a strategic and operational framework => methodology and tools for transfer Intensity of cooperation _ +

Axis 5 Coherence and synergies Pilot projects Regional frame operation Networks Measure 1 1 million € ERDF Measure 2 2 millions € ERDF Measure 3 1 million € ERDF Local initiatives of bilateral cooperation

Axis 5 – Measure 1 “Regional frame operation” Beneficiaries Regional authorities (NUTS II) ‏ Types of actions Elaboration of a « resources center » for the capitalization of regional & transferable good practices Types of expenditures Travelling costs, personnel costs for management and coordination, logistical costs for organizing seminars, trainings and conferences, studies, translation and communication costs Eligibility conditions Thematic coherence with regional strategy focusing on rural development and territorial cohesion Mininum 5 partners involved from 3 member states Funding conditions Maximum public funding rate = 100% Maximum ERDF rate = 75% Minimum ERDF amount = € CAPITALIZATION

Axis 5 – Measure 2 “Pilot projects” Beneficiaries Local authorities, natural parks, associations, research and training institutes, consular chambers, firms Types of actions Transfer of experiences, knowledge & know-how, implementation of tools & services, common actions, methodological support for EU project application Types of expenditures Ingeneering, studies and expertise Travel expenses Material investment within a pilot action and for exceptional circumstances, real estate expenses Eligibility conditions Thematic coherence with regional strategy Mininum 2 partners involved from 2 member states Funding conditions Maximum public funding rate = 100% Maximum ERDF rate = 55% Minimum ERDF amount = € EXPERIMENTATION

Axis 5 – Measure 3 “Networks” Beneficiaries Local authorities, natural parks, associations, research and training institutes, consular chambers, firms Types of actions Participation of Limousin partners involved in existing cooperation networks, support to the creation of new networks (focusing on scientific & technological issues) ‏ Types of expenditures Travelling costs, personnel costs for management and coordination, logistical costs for organizing seminars, trainings and conferences, translation costs, studies Eligibility conditions Thematic coherence with regional strategy Mininum 3 partners involved from 3 member states Funding conditions Maximum public funding rate = 100% Maximum ERDF rate = 50% Minimum ERDF amount = € EXCHANGES

Axis 5 – Cooperation How to promote the projects ? No call procedure in Limousin until now Communication plan targeted to project leaders : A specific leaflet with practical informations Organization of local meetings with all intersted stakeholders A web site

Axis 5 – Cooperation Administrative procedure Decision of the Programming Regional Committee for European Funds Decision of the Limousin Regional Assembly Signature of a Protocol → Commitment of the project leader and financial partners in terms of : Schedule Paying conditions Use of equipments and investments Controls Communication on european funds (logos, project promotion...)‏ Respect of the protocol for the grant and expenditures

Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ? Presentation of the project: -Structure leading the project -Name of the project -Total cost and requested ERDF amount If other regional grant is requested, a specific procedure is required

Contact details of the project leader List of european partners to be involved in the project Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Contact details of all partners in the project Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Detailed presentation of the partners : their field of competences and their expected added value in the project Objective: to valorize the quality of the project through the cohrence of the partnership Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Schedule of the project : The duration of the project will determine the eligibility conditions of expenditures : Eligibility starting after acknowledge receipt of compete application form Application form not acceptable if the project is already achieved Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Demonstrate the coherence or the project with other axis of ERDF OP, and also with INTERREG IVB or IVC thematic priorities Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Demonstrate the relevance of the project (context and tackled challenges) Precise the general objective of the project Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Indicate the specific objectives to be achieved during the project Indicate the concrete outputs expected in the end of the project Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Specify the innovative dimension of the project and other key criteria such as gender issues or sustainable development… Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Indicate the reason why the project requires a transnational dimension, and the specific added value of cooperation Indicate what are expected impacts of the project and how its sustainability will be ensured by the partners on long term perspective Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Specify the action plan with detailed description of tasks and their practical conditions for implementation (who does what?) Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Indicate the conditions of management, coordination, and networking between the partners Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Indicate the governance conditions, and the members of the steering committee Indicate the evaluation conditions : procedure, schedule (mid term, and/or in the end ?) Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Indicate the capitalisation conditions The project has to be transferable in other contexts The more transferable, the higher can be ERDF rate with a maximum of 50% Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Indicate how communication and publicity of the project will be implemented, reminding that these promotion activities are compulsory regarding european regulations. A communication plan is required with clear and precise objectives Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Specify evaluation indicators allowing to quantify the outputs (short term), the results and the impacts (long terms) of the project Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Specify the detailed budget with all types of expenditures (including those which are not eligible) : - Staff costs should not exceed 50% of total budget - A degressive ERDF rate for staff costs over time Estimates are required for justifying the main expenditures especially for investment costs) Expenditures of other partners are asked but only as indicative informations Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Indicate already obtained financial resources with cofinancing statements as justifying documents For other expected cofundings, provide official letters or documents for requesting the financial support to the project. Indicate if the project will produce any takings Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

A letter of commitment to be signed by legal representative of all partners For networks, a protocol or partnership charter has to be signed by all partners Axis 5 - Cooperation How to fulfil the application form ?

Axis 5 - Cooperation Administrative documents required for the application form ERDF funding request form (previously detailed) Commitment Act (signed by the project leader) - agreement with EU rules & control procedures - separate and specific accountancy system - respect of competition rules to be applied Letter of commitment (signed by partners) Estimates justifying the main expenditures Cofinancing statements Mission fact sheet if staff costs required

Axis 5 - Cooperation The letter of commitment General content : “I do confirm that my organization will take part as associated partner in the project (…)” Detailed informations on expected role : “In that prospect, my organization accept to achieve the following tasks (….)” Financial contribution possibly specified (but actually not compulsory) Signature by the legal representative Flexible and adapted for « unilateral » or « mirror » cooperation (in Limousin) but not secure enough for « common » or « joint » cooperation for which a more detailed protocol is preferable