1. 4th Monitoring Committee
SPECIAL CALL FOR STRATEGIC PROJECT PROPOSALS “GREECE – ALBANIA” IPA CROSS-BORDER PROGRAMME
4th Monitoring Committee
Saranda 6th of December 2012

2. What is a Strategic Project
What is a Strategic Project? The term ‘strategic projects’ was introduced by the Commission in 2002, following the Interreg III approval. Requests for ‘strategic projects’ and stronger involvement of the national level, came when most of the programmes were already operational. Consequently, several territorial cooperation programmes have introduced the concept of “strategic projects” as objects of special calls. Strategic projects focus on potential impact in sectors identified by the competent Joint Monitoring Committee. They should be fully compliant with the main political initiatives and contribute and participate to the achievement of the long-term policy goals set in the framework of each Programme.

3. Comparing Strategic to ‘Common’ Project
Comparing Strategic to ‘Common’ Project. Compared to “good” projects financed, strategic programmes should have the additional ambition to result in significant change or improvement on the whole or large parts of the cross-border cooperation (CBC) area. Two key elements that characterise strategic projects are : (a) the themes, (b) partnerships:

4. The theme of a strategic project should be: - relevant to most of the Programme’s area - involve high political commitment in coherence with national and Eu policies - strongly linked with other policy instruments (such as other Programmes or initiatives) The partnership of a strategic project should engage the partners as the key actors and those authorities or agencies that : - have a clear mandate to tackle the issues at stake - can make the necessary decisions - have the capacity and right to change what needs to be changed

5. In relation to their significance, strategic projects are expected: - to be more complex - have longer duration - require a higher budget,

6. Dimensions of Strategic Projects To facilitate the development and assessment of a project we recognize three dimensions: - Policy/Programme dimension - Geographical dimension - Action dimension With respect to each dimension, strategic projects should have certain characteristics as follows:

7. Policy/Programme dimension - Be Coherent with the Programme strategy and with European, national and regional policies. Geographical dimension - Have real impact on the cooperation area - Bring tangible and visible output and results - Be sustainable Action dimension - Build strong partnerships - Capitalise on experiences - Be innovative - Be “holistic”/ interdisciplinary - Communicate

8. Strategic projects require: - a more top-down approach for preparation expressed as a special political request, - a consultation period and of course more time to prepare.

9. February The M.A. awarded a contract to a Specialized Expert Advisor to support the maturing of the Strategic Projects and to support the potential final beneficiaries during the public consultation.
The M.A. send to Albania’s Ministry of Integration a proposal of the methodology for the preparation of the Special Call for Strategic Projects.
Agreement of Albania’s Ministry of Integration to the proposed methodology
The M.A. send a letter and a questionnaire about strategic projects to the Regions and Decentralized Authorities in Greece
Undertaken Activities for the preparation of the Special Call for the Strategic Project Proposals:

10. Undertaken Activities for the preparation of the Special Call for the Strategic Project Proposals:
The M.A. reviewed, categorized and validated the proposals of the Greek institutions
Common meeting at Thessaloniki among M.A. and representatives of the West Macedonia Region.
Common meeting at Kastoria among the M.A. and the representatives of the Regions of West Macedonia and Epirus. Discussion of specific ideas (tourism & entrepreneurship)
Common meeting at Ioannina among the M.A. and the representatives of the three GR regions to discuss proposals

11. Undertaken Activities for the preparation of the Special Call for the Strategic Project Proposals:
Common meeting at Ioannina among the Expert Advisor and the representatives of the three GR regions to discuss proposals. Presentation of Epirus’ proposal on tourism
A Draft of a Special Calla for the Strategic Project Proposals was delivered to M.A. by the Expert Advisor

12. The Albanian Operating Structure, after consultation with the line ministries and all stakeholders, conclude to the following proposals on strategic themes:
Improvement of the border infrastructure in Greece – Albania borders
Rehabilitation of the Kapshtica Border Crossing Point (improvement of infrastructure)
Foster sustainable tourism in the program area, including improvement of environmental impact
The purpose is to improve the living conditions of the local population in the eligible area, through tourism oriented interventions.
Enhance SME competitiveness and innovation on both sides of the borders
The purpose is to improve the business climate for enterprises and SME-s by further reducing administrative barriers

13. Indicative Themes for Strategic Project Proposals:
BUDGET
The total budget available for the Special Call would stand up to ,00 €
Priorities
Strategic Themes
Budget
1. Enhancement of cross-border economic development
Promotion and development of the environmental and natural and cultural resources.
1. Infrastructure for Cross-border accessibility
2. Fostering of tourism, preferably with the synergy of energy efficiency
,00 €
,00 €
The EU Co-Financing rate for Greece is 75% and for Albania is 85 %

14. D. Eligibility of expenditure
Indicative Terms of References of the Special Call for the Strategic Project Proposals:
B. Project size
Minimum: ,00 €
Maximum: Up to the top of the priority budget.
C. Duration
Projects should be concluded in a period of maximum two years (2) after the signing of the Subsidy Contract.
D. Eligibility of expenditure
The starting date for eligible expenditure is 1/1/2007. The closing date of the eligibility period of the expenditure stated in the approved proposals is two years after the signing of the subsidy contract. Under no circumstances the final date of eligibility of expenditure can exceed the 31st of December 2016.

15. E. Eligible Partnerships
Indicative Terms of References of the Special Call for the Strategic Project Proposals:
E. Eligible Partnerships
Project proposals must include at least one partner from each country participating in the Operational Programme , cooperating in at least two of the following ways:
joint development,
joint implementation,
joint staffing,
joint financing.
The Lead Partners for Greece and Albania should be Ministries, Central Level Bodies Governed by Public Law (only for Albania), or the Regional Authorities.

16. national, regional or local public authorities
Indicative Terms of References of the Special Call for the Strategic Project Proposals:
F. Eligible Partners
national, regional or local public authorities
bodies governed by public law, or according to the national legislations, having legal personality, and which fulfil at least one of the following conditions:
- be financed, for the most part, by national, regional or local authorities, or other bodies governed by public law or
be subject to management supervision by those bodies or
- have an administrative, managerial or supervisory board, where more than half of its members are appointed by the national, regional or local authorities, or by other bodies governed by public law;

17. Indicative Terms of References of the Special Call for the Strategic Project Proposals:
c. private organizations: non-profit organizations, founded according to private law, are eligible under the following conditions as a whole,
- they don’t have a commercial or industrial character or activities
- they do not distribute profits to the stakeholders, according to their constitutional framework
- they operate for at least 1 year before the launch of the specific call for proposals. This rule is applicable for the branches as well.

18. Indicative Terms of References of the Special Call for the Strategic Project Proposals:
G. Eligible Area
Eligible NUTS III or equivalent regions
Country GREECE
Prefecture/District
Prefecture of Ioannina
Prefecture of Thesprotia
Prefecture of Florina
Prefecture of Kastoria
Prefecture of Kerkira
 Moreover, the following NUTS III region has been included in the eligible area of the Programme as adjacent area and therefore funding for operations in this area can be admitted up to 20% of the amount of the EU Contribution to the Programme.
Eligible adjacent areas
Prefecture of Grevena

19. Indicative Terms of References of the Special Call for the Strategic Project Proposals:
F. Eligible Area
Eligible NUTS III or equivalent regions
Country ALBANIA
Prefecture/District
District of Gjirokaster
District of Korçë
District of Vlorë

20. Thank you for your attention
Alexandros G. Samaras –
Coordinator of M.A.’s Working Group for the generation of Strategic Projects
Head of Administrative and Informatics Unit
Tel