Practical Information and Guidance to Applicants Green Industry Innovation Programme Romania July 2014 Practical Information and Guidance to Applicants Green Industry Innovation Programme Romania July 2014 Ms. Daniela Chifan, Programme Officer Innovation Norway Bucharest Office

Agenda 1. Programme information channel 2. Roles and responsibilities 3. How to find a partner? 4. Essential reading and important issues 8. Project assessment and methodology 6. How to apply? 7. The Project Contract

Information channel One general «landing» page: Information about the programme area green industry innovation, bilateral relations and other common issues Select the specific page for Green Industry Innovation Romania (flag RO) All relevant information and programme documents

Roles and responsibilities Innovation Norway – fund manager – overall responsible towards the donor (Norwegian M.F.Affairs) The National Focal Point – no formal responsibility (consultation/advice/coordination) Project Promoter (applicant) - fully responsible towards Innovation Norway Project Partners - responsible to fullfil their tasks towards Project Promoter (Partnership Agreement)

How to find a partner? Main portal for private sector: Enterprise Europe Network: Other relevant web-sites: Green Business Norway (association for NO companies with green clean technologies): NHO (Norwegian Confederation of Enterprises): ARENA – a Norwegian national programme for regional business clusters: Travel support is available to search for donor project partners (see section 3 - 2nd Call - Travel Support from programme website)

Essential reading and important issues Essential reading 2nd Call text for Project proposals Rules and Procedures Standard Terms and Conditions State Aid Regulations – Reg. (EU) 651/2014 Assessment criteria and methodology Procurement Guidelines

Essential reading and important issues Eligibility criteria- applicants and partners - legal entity in Romania/Norway - in operation for at least one full fiscal year - clean criminal and tax records - signed Partnership Agreement – applicant and partner(s) - main activity closely related to the area for which the application is made

Essential reading and important issues Eligibility criteria - for project - contribute to the expected programme outcome - no overlapping or double funding - grant maximum and minimum amounts and co-financing rates are complied with - the project implementation period - no longer than the deadline for cost eligibility: 30 April compliance with EU and Romanian legislation

Essential reading and important issues Eligibility criteria – expenditures - In line with the state aid provisions - Depend on type of project and activities - From approval of project until 30 April Normally only purchase of new equipment eligible - Normally 10% of project costs can be buildings/land

Essential reading and important issues Applicant’s co-financing Cash - internal resources or bank loan Disbursement of grants Advance payment: 10-20% of approved grant based on reasoned request Reimbursement of accrued expenses Interim Reporting/payment claims Currency: Euro

Public Procurement Regulations EU and Romanian legislation on public procurement shall be complied with at any level in the project implementation If grant = 50% or more - conduct procurement as contracting authority (OUG 34/2006) Smaller procurement according to Order MFE 1120/2013 or good economic practices set in Procurement Guidelines (see Rules and Procedures – section 6.2) Essential reading and important issues

Assessment procedure Organised by Innovation Norway Common methodology for Individual Project Scheme and Small Grant Scheme Internal and external experts Consult with National Focal Point Criteria: administrative, eligbility and tehnical and financial

Assessment procedure 20 technical and financial assessment criteria, including: - technical and financial capacity - financial reports (certified accounts) - maturity of projects - risk analysis and mitigation plans - project profitability - business plan - innovation level - intellectual Property Rights status - market potential - competitiveness

For general criteria: Scoring 1-6 points Scoring profile - each criteria is weightening differently and may be a critical success factor that could jeopardise the whole project Reasoned opinions from National Focal Point (mainly, in order to avoid overlapping) Final decision by Innovation Norway Assessment procedure

Individual Project Scheme and Small Grants Scheme - via application portal electronic application form available at: Fund for Bilateral Relations – travel support - via How to apply?

Fund for Bilateral Relations Travel Support Facility - prior approval before travel (Innovation Norway) - reimbursement principle - How to apply?

Individual Project Scheme and Small Grant Scheme Electronic application form available at the website: All mandatory attachments and supporting documents to be submitted in electronic versions ONLY

Documents that are part of application form - Project implementation plan - Detailed activity budget - Letter of commitment - Procurement plan - Publicity plan - Partnership agreement, if applicable - Disbursement plan - CVs of the project team

Other mandatory documents - Registration certificates - self declarations re. criminal and tax records and undertaking in difficulty - Certified accounts - Business plan

The Project Contract Project Contract Standard Terms and Conditions Detailed activity budget Project Implementation Plan Disbursement Plan

Green Industry Innovation Programme Romania Multumesc! Questions to: