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LIFE Operating grants for NGOs Framework Partnership Agreements for funding in 2018 and 2019

LIFE Operating grants for NGOs Framework Partnership Agreements for funding in 2018 and 2019 Information session - 20 April 2017 – Brussels WELCOME. Didier Gambier, Acting Director. Astrid Geiger, Head of Sector. Since 1992.

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LIFE Operating grants for NGOs Framework Partnership Agreements for funding in 2018 and 2019

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  1. LIFE Operating grants for NGOs • Framework Partnership Agreements for funding in 2018 and 2019 • Information session - 20 April 2017 – Brussels • WELCOME

  2. Didier Gambier, ActingDirector

  3. Astrid Geiger, Head of Sector

  4. Since 1992 • Contribute to the implementation, update and development of the EU environmental and climate policy and legislation 3.5 billion euros - 2014-2020

  5. Types of projects Next Call: 28 April • Traditional Projects: • Pilot, demonstration and best practice projects • information, awareness, and dissemination projects • Integrated Projects • implementing action plans of MS • Capacity Building Projects • helping Member States improving LIFE participation • NGO Operating Grants • Financial Instruments

  6. The LIFE Regulation aims at promoting better environmental and climate governance as a specific objective of the priority areas of Governance & Information on The environment (GIE) and on The climate (GIC) by supporting a broad range of NGOs / networks of non-profit-making entities LIFE Regulation, Preamble and Articles 12(d) and 16(d) NGO operatinggrants – why?

  7. Twofoldrole of the NGOs:1) Bottom-up • Shaping EU policies: • Alert policy makers about new issues to be addressed • Participate in consultative groups or expert panels • Information input to policy formulation • Channelling members' views to the EU

  8. Twofoldrole of the NGOs:2) Top-down • Supporting implementation of EU Climate & Environmental policy • Feedback to Commission on problems of implementation • Alarms or intervention in case of break of legislation/regulation in the Member States • Campaigns, exchange of best practice, awareness raising and citizen participation

  9. Key objectives: to protect, conserve and enhance the Union’s natural capital to turn the Union into a resource-efficient, green, and competitive low-carbon economy to safeguard the Union's citizens from environment-related pressures and risks to health and wellbeing Horizontal priority objectives: to make the Union's cities more sustainable to help the Union address international environmental and climate challenges more effectively 7th EAP: environmental/climate goals

  10. Four so called "enablers" will help Europe deliver on these goals: better implementation of legislation better information by improving the knowledge base more and wiser investment for environment and climate policy full integration of environmental requirements and considerations into other policies 7th EAP: enablers

  11. Eva Paparatti, Project Advisor

  12. indicative budget: 18m€ for 2 years 59 applications received Total requested EU contribution: € 33,779,246 Applications were of very high quality Previous FPA Call (2015)

  13. 32 NGOs were selected to be totally or partially funded in 2016 and 2017 Total budget: € 21,310,000 for 2 years Previous FPA Call - results

  14. 1st step: biannual framework partnership agreements: Focus on biannual strategy Including an outline of activities already known or based on experience from previous years Ifpossible, pleasedistinguishbetweenthe 2 years Financial details will be requested at SGA stage. Finances only matter for: financial viability budget cut-off percentage of EU funding requested compared to total eligible costs (in case of proposals with equal score) No revisions for the FPA Call 2017 – FPA

  15. 2nd step: specific grant agreements – call and contract for each financial year (2018 and 2019) Detailed work plan Detailed budget Limited award criteria Revision phase Call 2017 - SGA

  16. From FPA to SGA Budget cut off

  17. From SGA call to SGA signatures Revision Failing/not submitted

  18. * Indicative dates

  19. FPA Call 2017 - Budget • Indicative budget for this call – (2*)9 million € • ~ 30 NGOs arefundedeveryyear • Average grant in previous years: 345.000€ EU funding • Maximum EU funding: 60% of total eligible costs (average 50%) • 700.000 € EU funding maximum per grant and … • … less than the amount awarded with your previous application if you receive an NGO operating grant from the call launched in 2016 for financial year 2017

  20. Evaluation • Pre-assessment by external evaluators (independent evaluations) • Final assessment by an Evaluation Committee (EASME, DG Environment and DG Climate Action). • Recommendationestablished in consensus.

  21. Admissibility and exclusion criteria – read the call! • Most important: • Don't miss the deadline: 15 June 2017 – hard copy and an electronic version (CDrom or USB stick) – 16h00 for hand-delivery • Proposal must becomplete – usetheapplicationforms! • You need to sign the declaration

  22. Whocanapply? Eligibilitycriteria (1) Applicants must be: • Non-profit legal persons • Independent fromgovernment/authorities, political parties and commercial organisations (proof: statutes) • Primarily active in field of environment and/or climate action and have an environmental/climate objective which is aimed at: • The public good and sustainable development, and • Being involved in the development, implementation and enforcement of Union environmental and/or climate policy and legislation.

  23. Whocanapply? Eligibilitycriteria(2) Applicants have to: • be legally established in one of the EU28 Member States • operate at Union level with a fixed structure and activities covering at least three EU Member States To this end, partnerships, networks and memberships are eligible if they are formally established as a legal entity (represented by a management board or other administrative forum).Loose co-operations or temporary partnerships are not eligible. • National NGOs are not targeted by this call

  24. Selectioncriteria • Operationalcapacity Assessmentof professionalcompetencies and qualifications basedon CVs and recentactivityreports • Financial capacity Assessmentof the financialviability of the organisation basedon auditor'scertifiedaccountsand annualstatement to demonstrate stable and sufficient sources of fundingthroughoutthe twoyears

  25. Award criteria • Award criteriaunchanged – fewbulletpointsonlyslightlychanged

  26. Award criterion 1 - 20 points "Policy Relevance": Relevance of involvement in the Union’s environmental and/or climate action policy process • thematic objectives of the 7th Environment Action Programme • climate and energy package • the roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050 • the Union’s climate adaptation strategy • EU added value of the workproposed • real impact measured against specific indicators Explain the link between policy and strategy Try to estimate impacts

  27. Award criterion 2 -20 points "Enabling Framework": Relevance and potential to contribute to: • maximising the benefits of the Union’s environment and/or climate action legislation by improving implementation and enforcement, • improving the knowledge and evidence base for Union environment and/or climate action policy, • securing investment for environment and/or climate action policy and address environmental and/or climate externalities and • improving environmental and/or climate action integration and policy coherence

  28. Award criterion 3 -5 points "Coverage": Relevance for • enhancing the sustainability and resilience of urban areas; • increasing the EU's contribution to international environmental and/or climate-related objectives.

  29. Award criterion 4 - 5 points "Sensor Function": Relevance in addressing environmental and/or climate-related emerging issues and new policy priorities • Detectionoftheseissues/threats, theircausesandpossibleeffects; • Capacitytoproposesolutions, toaddresstheissuesortoprovide feedback forimproved policymaking.

  30. Award criterion 5 – 20 points "Channelling": Effectiveness of the partner's contribution to the Union policy process • In-depthunderstanding of EU policy process; • NGO will act as channel between member (grass root) level and EU level; • proposal aims to shape or develop EU policy and has an appropriate strategy; • activities are included aiming at strategic cooperation with other stakeholdersinorder to create leverage; • visibility will be ensured, awareness raising actions / campaigns are well-planned.

  31. Award criterion 6 – 10 points "From the needs to the goals": Organisational development – potential to develop in order to become a more efficient stakeholder in the Union’s policy process • description of fundraising situation is included and necessary strategies to ensure diversification and sustainability; • proper need analysis relating to organisational development; • the proposed strategy is appropriate and will make the applicant a more efficient partner in the policy dialogue; • dependency on NGO grantandstrategiestorespondtothis.

  32. Preparation of the proposal Submission by email is not sufficient! • Guidelines and forms available on the web: • A = administrative forms • T = technical forms • F = financial forms • Advice for filling in the formscanbefound in the Application Guide • To submit: • 1 complete original (with all Annexes) • 1 CD/USB stick with full application • AND 1 printed part A, T, and F to besubmitted • FAQ willsoonbepublished • Financial Guidelines are availableat: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/toolkit/pmtools/ngos/guidance.htm

  33. Section A • Administrative information • Form A4: List of all member organisations per country • Form A5: description of the nature, structure and activities of the applicant and members directly involved in the work programme

  34. Section T • Max. length of whole section T: 50 pages! • Use only T form to describe your bi-annual strategic plan and outlined activities during the 2 years (no other documents). • Try toidentify, ifpossible, whichoutlinedactivitiesshouldtakeplace in whichyear. • Provide proper background and context. • Be clear – avoid jargon and acronyms (include a glossary if needed). • Please: use English

  35. Section T.1: Strategy Summarise the bi-annual strategic plan, its objectives and expected results (core element of the proposal). • Maximum 10 pages. • Covering 2 years. • Global description of the bi-annual strategy link it to the strategy of the NGO • Main objectives distinguish between environmental and/or climate • Main expected resultsimmediate results/deliverables & medium term results/impacts – quantify as much as possible – you may indicate ranges

  36. Section T.1 Strategy (cont.) • EU added value of the work proposed • Policies addressed directly by your application (strategies/directives/regulations)Simple list is sufficient • Describe structure(s) in place to facilitate access to relevant European institutions – if you plan to set-up new structures during 2018-2019 describe them (which, how,…) e.g. working groups /stakeholder groups / advisory committees of the European Commission / European Parliament / European Council or at Member State level • % of work related to environment & to climate actionfor statistical purposes

  37. Section T2.1 Strategic Plan • Provide a detailed description of your bi-annual strategic plan by policy area. • Be concrete in developing this strategy and support it with outline of accompanying actions • If many policy areas are covered, it is recommended to develop only a selection in detail (select the most relevant for the FPA) and list the other areas with less detail keeping in mind the page limit. • Link the policies to your strategy. It should become clear how you plan to contribute to the policies mentioned in section T.1.

  38. Section T2.1 Strategic Plan (cont.) • Use the model in T2.1 form • Contextand specific European policies addressed • Objectives Distinguish between environmental and/or climate objectives • Strategy/outline of accompanying actions Milestones, policy contributions, events • channels/means Description of capacities, expertise, infrastructure, tools in place to perform the work. Description of the staff and technical sub-contractors. • expected results Contribution to expert groups, stakeholder consultations, position papers, etc.

  39. Section T2.2 Organisationaldevelopment • Describe the expected development perspectives of your organisation in relation to the NGO operating grant. • Provide a long-term view on economic sustainability, especially in relation to decreasing any dependence of the LIFE NGO operating grant. • The description of your fundraising strategy should form a core element of the application.

  40. Section T2.2 (cont.) • Describe how the grant is expected to improve your organisation compared to the present situation in various aspects, e.g.: • Organisational structure and staffing • Strategic approach • Financial management • Dependency on Operating Grant • Evaluation and reporting • Internal communication • Technical competence • Network enlargement/new members • Better policy impact • …other

  41. FPA evaluations: contacts during the evaluation • In the evaluationprocessyoumaybecontacted by email in case of: • Obviousclericalerrors or minor omissions • Need for furtherclarifying information • Replyisneededwithin 5 days– the contact e-mail addressindicated in form A3 shouldbe active and checked on a regular basis • Main period for contacts: July/August – if you are on holidays, pleasedetermine a backup and put an out of office reply! We must be strict with deadlines!

  42. Lorenzina Bruno, Senior Financial Officer

  43. Outlook on Financial Rules of SGA (1) • A detailedbudgetisonlyrequiredforthe SGA submission • Determination of final amount • The budget cannot be increased • EU funding % applied to eligible costs • Implementation contracts/subcontracting: • > 60.000€  request 3 offers • > 135.000€  publish a call • Financial support to third parties: N/A(mono-beneficiary contracts)

  44. Outlook on Financial Rules of SGA (2) • Non-cumulative award: • IMPORTANT: If you benefit from an operating grant (NGO grant) you cannot charge overheads on any action grants covering the same activities in the same period of time unless you can demonstrate that the operating grant does not cover any costs of the action. • Earliest start of expenditure: • The start of the beneficiary's budgetary year • Earlieststart date is 01/01/2018 • Co-financing: • The EU willonlyco-fund part of the work programme (up to 60%) • The applicantwill have to coveritsshare for the eligiblecosts as well as all non-eligiblecosts

  45. Financial Rules of SGA (3) - Eligible costs • Actually incurred by the beneficiary (not member organisation/affiliates) • Incurred during WP duration • Indicated in estimated budget (Annex III) • Linked to WP, in line with Annex I and necessary for its implementation • Identifiable and verifiable (accounting records of beneficiary and in line with applicable accounting standards of the country) • Complying with tax and social legislation requirements • Reasonable, justified and comply with principle of sound financial management (economy and efficiency)

  46. Financial Rules of SGA (4) – Reminders for SGA application • Allocation to work programme (WP) to indicate • Depreciation to report in months (use and %) • Best value for money principle to follow for procurement contracts • Usual practice of organisation to follow (accounting, rules, salaries, reserve,..) • Fill-in all requested information in financialforms • EU grants may not have the purpose or effect of producing a profit within the framework of the work programme of the beneficiary. Where a profit is made  EASME entitled to recover: (profit x EU %)

  47. If selected in SGA • 60% pre-financing after signature of the grant agreement (in case financial capacity results is low, the beneficiary could receive a pre-financing in two instalments : 2*30%) • 40% after approval of the final reports (to be submitted the latest 2 months after the end of the financial year) • EASME will follow-up on your work together with external experts (NEEMO)

  48. Website & functionalmailbox http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/ngos/index.htm This presentation and the videorecordingwillbe put online there For any questions pleasesend an email to: EASME-LIFE-NGO@ec.europa.eu

  49. THANK YOUFOR YOUR ATTENTION Astrid Geiger, Head of Sector Eva Paparatti, Project Adviser Lorenzina Bruno, Senior Financial Officer EASME Units B.3 and C.1.8 LIFE and CIP Eco-Innovation astrid.geiger@ec.europa.eueva.paparatti@ec.europa.eulorenzina.bruno@ec.europa.eu EASME on Twitter @H2020EE • @H2020SME • @EEN_EU • @EU_ECOINNO

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