FAQ

• Is there any advanced payment from the programme to the partners foreseen after the approval of the project?
• Is there any allocation per Priority Axes?
• Besides the quality of the project, which other criteria would it be important during the selection process?
• Is the 20% rule applicable for the 1st call?

Is there any advanced payment from the programme to the partners foreseen after the approval of the project?

ERDF funds do not allow advance payments. ERDF funds are distributed only as reimbursement of eligible expenses that have been incurred for the project implementation and validated afterward according to the national control system of each partner. Therefore, it is strongly advised to carefully assess the financial capacity of partners, due to the length of time between the expense, its validation and the reimbursement. However, partners requesting IPA funds can request advance payments.

Is there any allocation per Priority Axes?

Yes, to get an overview about the indicative breakdown by Priority Axes within the current funding period, please take a look at the Operational Programme, Chapter 6.2.

Besides the quality of the project, which other criteria would it be important during the selection process?

The assessment of a project is carried out by analysing the quality of the transnational partnership and the quality of the content, including also the coherence of the budget of a project. In this respect, it?s not important the number of partners (besides the minimum eligibility criterion) but its relevance in pursuing the project?s objectives. Partners must be able to ensure an institutional and technical capacity and the requested contribution has to be coherent to the project activities and number of partners. It?s very important to establish efficient and transparent project coordination with clear and detailed internal/external communication and dissemination activities. The transnational dimension of the project content is extremely important. Results/outputs must be concrete and transferable.

Is the 20% rule applicable for the 1st call?

European entities/institutions located outside the programme area are not eligible, as the 20% ERDF flexibility rule is not applicable for the 1st call. However, these entities/institutions can be subcontracted following the public procurement rules of the partner?s country who implements the subcontracting.