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Finance seminar - download report and material (23/06/2009)
The INTERREG IVC Secretariat held a Finance seminar for Lead partners and Lead partner controllers on 11-12 June 2009 in Brussels.
This extremely informative and interactive seminar provided participants with an opportunity to really understand what is required from them and from their partners to ensure that control and audit procedures are properly followed.
The presentations and case studies used during this event, along with a summary report, can be downloaded here:
Download report | Download presentations | Download case studies
A new brochure on interregional cooperation with focus on East area published (18/06/2009)
In celebration of the 5th anniversary of the European Union enlargement in 2004, the Information Point East of the INTERREG IVC programme has developed a brochure called “EXPERIENCE-COOPERATION-DEVELOPMENT: Regions of Enlarged Europe Sharing Solutions. East area perspective”.
This publication is a reflection upon the challenges and benefits of interregional cooperation before and after the European Union accession, including the visions of the newest members – Bulgaria and Romania. It contains selected examples of projects implemented in the framework of INTERREG IIIC and INTERREG IVC programmes and depicts the joint actions undertaken by the European regions. The brochure focuses on the countries covered by the Information Point East area.
If you are interested in more details regarding the brochure contents, please contact the IP East Communication Adviser Agnieszka Kmiecik-Mikusek
Two versions of the brochure are available for downloading:
Update concerning Italian Lead Partners reporting (15/06/2009)
The formal settlement of the ad-hoc Committee for the approval of first level controllers in Italy has been delayed. Therefore, the submission deadline of the first progress report for Italian Lead Partners is postponed to 1 October 2009. This date will also be the deadline for the submission of the second progress report. In practice, two separate progress reports will have to be submitted:
The country specific information for Italy has been updated accordingly.
Call for Capitalisation projects to launch end 2009, Regional Initiative projects after second call analysis
The Monitoring Committee has decided on the perspective for a third call for projects, at the fourth programme Monitoring Committee meeting in Prague, 14-15 May. A two-step package has been agreed upon, with differing dates for Capitalisation projects and Regional Initiative projects (RIP). A call for Capitalisation projects only will be opened at the end of 2009 while a call for Regional Initiative projects will be launched following an analysis at programme level of the approved projects from the first and second calls.
Download the announcement for full details of this decision.
May 29th 2009 - "Develop and build partnerships in Europe: a showcase of good INTERREG Projects"
In the context of the creation of the European Institute for Territorial Cooperation (EITC) the Region Nord-Pas de Calais holds the first showcase of good projects on 29 May 2009.
For more information, contact Valentine Catrysse E-mail: v.catrysse@nordpasdecalais.fr Phone: + 33 3 28 82 70 92
Download the agenda | Download reply slip | Deadline for registration: 11 May 2009
New progress report deadlines for French and Italian Lead Partners (20/04/2009)
The outstanding first level control issues for France and Italy have been resolved, and the reserves lifted by the Audit Authority. Projects with French and Italian Lead Partners can now report their expenditure and activities to the JTS.
The latest date for submitting the first progress report from the projects concerned is 15 June 2009. Further information on the reporting and control requirements can be found in the latest version of the programme manual, and in the email sent to Lead Partners in January 2009 along with the pre-filled progress report.
Second call for proposals closed
Friday 30 January 2009 was the deadline for submission of projects under INTERREG IVC’s second round of funding. A total of 481 applications were received.
The programme’s Secretariat will now begin the administrative and technical analysis of the applications, expected to last until the summer for such a high number of applications.
A decision on approved projects can be expected from the programme’s Monitoring Committee in autumn 2009.
Download some statistics on applications received
Regions for Economic Change Conference
INTERREG IVC will be present at the annual Regions for Economic Change conference, 16-17 February, organised by the European Commission in Brussels. Four INTERREG IVC approved Capitalisation projects, also labelled Fast Track by the EC, will present their current activities in dedicated workshops. The projects - B3 Regions, PIKE, ERIK Action and RAPIDE - have been in operation since April 2008.
An INTERREG IVC stand will also be present on the ground floor of the Charlemagne building, where members of the Secretariat will be available to meet with participants.
The now annual 'RegioStars Awards' will also take place on 16 February. Two INTERREG IIIC projects have been shortlisted in the first category. The winners will receive a trophy presented by the Regional Policy Commissioner, Danuta Hübner, and the president of the jury.
Vacancies
Vacancy for a Project Adviser at the INTERREG IVC Information Point North in Rostock (Germany)
IP North is now looking for an Info Point Adviser with focus on Projects. The selected candidate will be mainly responsible for developing and assessing projects, including follow-up on their implementation. The corresponding assignments will start as soon as possible and will end on 30 June 2013.
Download document for detailsPublic Tenders
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INTERREG IVC leaflet available for download
Download the information leaflet on INTERREG IVC from the 'Publications' link in the Programme section. Don't hesitate to contact your Information Point if you would like copies of this leaflet.
Precision on co-financing statements
Following several requests from applicants, the JTS confirms that signed co-financing statements can be accepted in original, faxed or scanned versions under the second call rules for submission.
Progress report and first level control templates now available
The first progress report for running projects has been recently sent to Lead Partners. A pdf version of the progress report template is available for download in the Projects section. Information on the situation regarding French and Italian partners, currently unable to report expenditure, has also been published. This information has been sent to all Lead Partners with the pre-filled progress report.
In addition, Word versions of control checklist, certification of partner expenditure and shared costs templates have been extracted from the programme manual for use by first level controllers.
Go to Projects
Deadline approaching for end of second call for projects
Friday 30 January is the deadline for applicants to submit their applications under the second call of the INTERREG IVC programme. Applications must be submitted electronically and by post. Full details on how to submit your application are available in the call terms of reference.
We advise applicants to take extra care before sending their application to ensure that all eligibility requirements are met. By taking a few extra minutes to double check the eligibility questions (see Section 3.4.1 of programme manual) applicants may avoid much disappointment. Last year, almost 20% of applications were declared ineligible under the first call, a figure the programme would like to see reduced. Applicants should be aware that the eligibility check is a procedural 'yes/no' process where no flexibility can be granted. The JTS has to declare ineligible any application that does not fulfil all the requirements.
We also remind applicants that only the application form for the second call will be accepted (published October 2008; updated December 2008). Applications received using the first call application form cannot be treated.
Important announcement: Removal of eligibility rule concerning maximum number of applications per organisation
The programme’s Monitoring Committee, made up of representatives of all 29 participating countries, has finally decided not to limit the number of applications that one organisation can make during one call.
This means that the eligibility criterion limiting the number of applications per organisation to five per call will not be applied.
This change has now been reflected in the updated programme manual, and terms of reference for the second call. The checklist of the application form has also been modified to reflect this change. Download updated documents
Applicants who have already downloaded the previous version of the second call Application Form can continue to use this version. They should however check the box at point 13 on page 4 relating to this eligibility criterion (even though it no longer applies) to avoid seeing an error message.
No other eligibility criteria have been affected.
While the number of applications per organisation per call is now not restricted, the programme still encourages partners to be selective in their choice of applications, according to their organisation’s and region’s priorities.
Second call open
The second call is open from 27 October 2008 to 30 January 2009. The terms of reference for this call is available to download, along with the updated programme manual, in the Application section.
Assistance to applicants
To assist applicants in preparing their project application, a series of events - Lead applicant seminars, national information days, individual consultations - will be organised throughout the call period.
Please see the Assistance to applicants page for complete details of upcoming events.
Lead applicant seminar presentations
If you haven't managed to make it to one of our Lead Applicant Seminars, you can download the presentations that were given here.
Lead Applicant Seminar Presentations - 2nd call
List of approved projects from first call
A full list of all 41 projects approved under the first call for proposals is available in the 'Project' section. This table includes information on the subtheme of each project, and a summary of its objectives. Contact details of the lead partners are also available, useful for those currently developing a project on a similar topic.
EU Interregional Cooperation Forum
Over 1000 participants from all over Europe came to Lille on 27 and 28 October to participate in the EU Interregional Cooperation Forum. As this was also the moment of the launch of the second call for projects, detailed presentations were given by the JTS team on the INTERREG IVC programme, changes from the first call, and tips on how to build a good proposal.
The final report for this event will soon be available, in the meantime you can download the informative presentations here:
Monitoring Committee decisions on the INTERREG IVC Regional Initiative Projects
The INTERREG IVC Monitoring Committee approved 35 Regional Initiative Projects during its meeting on 18-19 September in Marseille. These projects represent a total of over €60 million ERDF. The projects covered 8 of the 10 sub-themes possible under the programme.
Combined with the Capitalisation Projects approved in April of this year, the programme has committed almost €70 million ERDF, that is 23% of the programme available budget.
Notification letters have been sent to all applicants. The INTERREG IVC JTS appreciates all the hard work that has gone into preparing applications.
Please find here an overview of the projects approved.
Seminar for the bodies responsible for the First Level Control system in the 27 EU-Member States and Norway
40 representatives in charge of the First Level Control System in the EU-Member States and Norway met in Lille on 10 June 2008. They discussed the INTERREG IVC first level control system and agreed on standardized control documents to be used by the Lead Partner and Project Partner controllers. The European Commission (Unit ‘Control and Audit’, DG Regio) and the CICC-FS (Commission interministérielle de coordination des contrôles portant sur les actions cofinancées par les fonds structurels, France), as the programme’s Audit Authority, also participated in the meeting. As a next step the extended programme manual containing the control guidance and relevant control templates will be presented to the Monitoring Committee for decision at its next meeting on 17 and 18 September 2008. It will be published on the website of the INTERREG IVC programme afterwards. The presentations made during the meeting are available for download here
Lead Partner seminar – event report
The first information seminar for Lead Partners of the recently approved Capitalisation Projects was held in Lille on 21 May 2008. You will find the event report and links to all presentations below.
Event report and presentations
Download the final version of the Subsidy Contract and Partnership Agreement in the Programme Documents section.
Results of Monitoring Committee meeting
The first set of project applications to come under the scrutiny of the INTERREG IVC Monitoring Committee was the Capitalisation projects. The meeting took place in Ljubljana on 24 April 2008. We have the pleasure of announcing that out of the twelve eligible applications presented to the committee, six were approved under conditions.
Capitalisation projects – the second of two types of projects possible under INTERREG IVC – are projects that focus specifically on transferring already-identified good practices into Structural Funds mainstream programmes.
Here is an overview of the selected projects, which now enter the phase of fulfilling the conditions set by the Monitoring Committee:
- ERIK ACTION – Upgrading the innovation capacity of existing firms
- B3 Regions – Regions for better broadband connection
- RAPIDE – Regional Action Plans for Innovation Development and Enterprise
- PIKE – Promoting Innovation and the Knowledge Economy
- ICHNOS PLUS – Innovation and Change: Network of one-stop shops for business – PLUS
- ESF6 CIA – Capitalising innovative approaches towards demographic change
Improving the effectiveness of regional innovation support services is the objective of this Italian-led project, leading to an upgrade in the innovation capacity of businesses. Building on four years of networking experience within the ERIK network (DG REGIO’s Innovative Actions programme), the project partners aim to transfer the good practices already identified in the Erik database into regional mainstream programmes. The eleven partners in this project represent 10 countries, all of whom have identified innovation as a key priority in regional development. The project will therefore produce 11 regional action plans to ensure the successful transfer of these practices into regional policy. This project will benefit from Fast Track assistance from the EC.
Lead Partner: Regional Government of Tuscany (IT)
This project tackles a key theme for the development of the knowledge economy: implementing broadband connections in remote or disadvantaged areas. Based on the analysis that only about 60% of businesses and households in the remote and rural areas of the EU15 had access to broadband in 2005, compared with over 90% of urban areas, the project aims to transfer existing good practices in this domain to regions involved. Based on a partnership of 17 bodies representing eight countries, this project will contribute to the economic modernisation and increased competitiveness of Europe. This project will benefit from Fast Track assistance from the EC.
Lead Partner: Piedmont Region (IT)
This project deals with the role of the public sector in stimulating innovation in regions, in particular helping mainly small businesses bring innovative products to market more quickly. By focusing on the good practices already identified in partner regions, gathered under the various national and European development programmes, the partners aim to develop robust, workable Action plans that each Region will implement. Thirteen partners from eleven Member States will thus stimulate innovation in regions, increase economic growth and therefore contribute directly to the EU agenda for Innovation and Knowledge economy. This project will benefit from Fast Track assistance from the EC.
Lead Partner: South West England Regional Development Agency
Building on the experiences shared under the INTERREG IIIC-funded project BRISE, this project seeks to stimulate the successful uptake of Information Society policies at regional level, particularly in the area of broadband and internet access, and eGovernment practices. This project will benefit from Fast Track assistance from the EC.
Lead Partner: ERNACT EEIG (IE)
ICHNOS PLUS aims to roll-out the models of one-stop shops for businesses developed under the INTERREG IIIC project (ICHNOS) to mainstream regional programmes. Through this, they aim to improve entrepreneurship policies by simplifying red tape for business start-ups. The seven partners, from seven different countries, are dedicated to implementing the models developed in their own region.
Lead Partner: ANCITEL Sardinia (IT)
Best practices on tackling demographic change – notably a falling birth rate and increasing life span – are the subject of this project, capitalising on experiences gained under the Innovative Actions programme (article 6 – demographic change). The eleven partners, representing eight countries, will benefit from the various experiences of each partner. This project will benefit from Fast Track assistance from the EC.
Lead Partner: Aufbauwerk Region Leipzig GmbH (DE)
We would like to thank all applicants for their hard work in preparing their applications. Applicants who were unsuccessful this time have the opportunity of re-applying under the second call for projects. Published 05/05/2008.
Country specific information updated
Country specific information including information concerning the system used in each country for First level control has been updated in the Programme section. This is an important source of information for those completing an INTERREG IVC application. The details will be updated as further information is received from Member States
First territorial cooperation programme approved by the European Commission: INTERREG IVC
Lille, September 18 2007
The interregional cooperation programme – INTERREG IVC – has been officially approved by the European Commission on 11th September 2007 in Brussels. It is the first of the territorial cooperation programmes to have received approbation. The IVC project is also main vehicle of the networking part of the Regions for economic change initiative.
The programme is targeted at regions of the 27 EU Member States, plus Norway and Switzerland, to exchange their experiences and transfer good practice.
The 2 main priorities of the programme – Innovation and Knowledge economy, and Environment and Risk prevention – reflect the renewed focus of the European Union on the Lisbon and Gothenburg Strategy to promote jobs and growth in Europe.
The programme has a budget of 321 million euros, financed from the European Regional Development fund (ERDF), for the period 2007-2013.
The programme will be officially launched at the EU Interregional Cooperation Forum to be held on 20 & 21 September 2007 in Lisbon. The first call for projects will be opened at the Forum, closing on 15th January 2007.
Danuta Hübner, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy and Francisco Nunes Correia, Portuguese Minister for Environment, Spatial Planning and Regional Development acting as Representative of the EU Presidency, will speak on 20th September at 17:30 to mark the launch.
A press conference will follow their interventions, at 18:00.
For more information, contact:
Nuala MORGAN
Communication Officer
INTERREG IVC
Nuala.morgan@interreg4c.eu
+33 670 795 872
