1. Belarus Denmark Estonia Finland Germany Latvia Lithuania Norway Poland Russia Sweden Major drawbacks in the submitted project proposals Wiktor Szydarowski Programme Development Manager Joint Secretariat Karlskrona

2. Major deficiencies in applications Irrelevant project rationale: too general - global problems in focus, described situation unfeasible to be improved with the project outcomes; Selection of partners: random, not in line with the project idea, monosectoral, low involvement of local and regional authorities as the end users (‘will be invited for project events’ status); Project scale: local issues solvable with local actions, not evident purpose for transnational actions; Methodology: unconvincing and not explaining how the objectives will be achieved (activities leading to expected results)

3. Major deficiencies in applications Activities: not demand-driven (expertise of the partners shaping the scope of the project) and inward-orientated, narrow scope of activities, poor and technical description; Project benefits: inward-orientated project benefits with low value for money; Investments: – local nature investments, no evident transnational investments;

4. Philosophy for BSR INTERREG III B projects identified development problems already tested or newly developed transnational methodology to solve the problems concepts – strategies – programmes – models - plans – site analyses pilot implementation of the solutions investment stage exchange of experience, best practice examples added value, vertical co- operation, cross-sectorality political commitment to the results spatial planning & regional development aspects benchmarking innovative and sustainable solutions

5. How to avoid deficiencies? Project rationale built on problems in the day-to-day operation of the institutions (what may be changed through a transnational co-operation?) Convincing case studies, especially in Priority 3 (the case of establishing new institutions should be built on arguing why existing structures are insufficient and ineffective) Consistency of the partnership (what is the reason of acting together?), cross-sectorality, outward-orientation (to disseminate and make the results adaptable for the external world), balanced responsibilities Realism in setting expected achievements (how far can we go together in the partnership?)

6. Transnational added value and durability of the planned activities (pilot actions to secure durability and not leave the project suspended halfway through); Critical role of local and regional authorities (commitment and not just a vague interest in the project aims); Investments – result of joint transnational planning process or pilot/demonstration value How to avoid deficiencies?

7. The message to applicants BSR INTERREG III B Neighbourhood Programme provides transnational solutions to planning and development process ! Submit the project only when you feel ready ! Do not start the preparatory work only upon launching of the call !

8. Belarus Denmark Estonia Finland Germany Latvia Lithuania Norway Poland Russia Sweden Thank You!