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Vacancies
The Eurometropole of Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai - the first European Groupment for Territorial Cooperation (EGCT) - is recruiting a General Director. For more information, please see the announcement in French or in Dutch.
INTERACT Point Turku is currently recruiting for four positions for their office in Turku, Estonia. Two project managers for ERDF funded programmes, one project manager for ENPI funded programmes and one project officer positions are available. Full details available on INTERACT website. Closing date 18 July.
Public Tenders
The INTERREG IVC Joint Technical Secretariat has published a call for tender for the externalisation of auditing services under the INTERREG IVC programme. Please consult the notice on the Official Journal of the EU. English version / French version Published 27/06/2008
The Joint Technical Secretariats of INTERREG IVA, IVB and IVC in Lille have published a call for tender for printed communication supports. Please consult the notice on the Official Journal of the EU. Published 06/06/2008
The Joint Technical Secretariats of INTERREG IVA, IVB and IVC in Lille have published a call for tender for Translators. Please consult the notice on the Official Journal of the EU.
English version / French version Published 20/05/2008
Special EU Programmes Body appoint manager and organise information day
Organisations in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland have a successful history of participating in INTERREG programmes. However, to date, the focus has mainly been on cross-border co-operation through the INTERREG IIIA and IVA programmes, which are managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
In order to assist organisations to become more involved in transnational and inter-regional co-operation programmes, the SEUPB has appointed Teresa Lennon as an INTERREG IVB and IVC Programme Manager.
Teresa’s role is to promote and support potential applicants to participate in all programmes relevant to the region (IVB programmes – Atlantic Area, North West Europe, Northern Periphery and the IVC programme).
On 30 June, the SEUPB will be hosting a workshop on transnational and inter-regional co-operation. The purpose of the workshop is to assist potential project applicants to develop well structured applications to one of the programmes.
The Regional Contact Points for both the UK and Ireland for all the IVB programmes (Atlantic Area, North West Europe and Northern Periphery) and the Ireland National Contact Point for the IVC programme will be present to offer their expertise and host project surgeries to provide hands on advice to applicants.
The event will be held on Monday 30 June 2008 at the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown, Northern Ireland. For further information please contact the SEUPB INTERREG IVB and IVC Programme Manager, Teresa Lennon. Email: teresa.lennon@seupb.eu
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.
Dates announced for second call for projects
The INTERREG IVC Monitoring Committee has confirmed that a second call for projects will be opened in Autumn 2008.
The call will be opened during the first day of the 2nd EU Interregional Cooperation Forum, on 27 October 2008. The call will remain open until Friday 30 January 2009.
The Application Pack will be updated for the second call, therefore the documents available online are for reference only. The Application Pack for the second call will be available once the call is opened.
Individual consultations and lead applicant seminars will be organised in the second half of 2008. The schedule will be posted online as soon as the dates are confirmed.
Save the date!
The 2nd EU Interregional Cooperation Forum will take place on 27-28 October 2008 at the Grand Palais in Lille (FR). Over 800 national, regional and local authorities are expected to attend, alongside EU institutions.
This partner search event is a key moment for INTERREG IVC project developers to get updated on the programme changes for the second call, to finalise partnerships and to get advice on developing their application.
A website dedicated to this event will be available with programme details, online registration and other useful information.
Please note the dates in your diaries and check back regularly for more information!
Update on first call - eligibility check
The eligibility check on all applications received under the first call for proposals is now complete. Letters have been sent on Monday 17 March to inform the lead applicants concerned of the reason for ineligibility, according to Section 3.4.1 of the Programme Manual.
The second phase of the assessment process – quality assessment – is underway, and is expected to last until summer 2008. Decisions on project approval are expected in September 2008.
Update your bookmarks! INTERREG IVC can now be found at interreg4c.eu!
As befits the only EU-wide programme for territorial cooperation, the INTERREG IVC website is now available at the .eu domain.
Take a moment to also update your INTERREG IVC contacts – email addresses now end with @interreg4c.eu! You can find all our contacts on the Contacts page.
Update on first round applications
Following the close of INTERREG IVC’s first call for proposals, the Programme’s Secretariat is now undertaking the eligibility check and quality assessment tasks.
Given the high number of applications received (492), this process is expected to continue until June 2008.
Ineligible project applicants can expect notification from early March. However decision on accepted projects, due to the high volume involved, will be postponed until after June 2008.
This will also have an impact on the launch of the second call for proposals. Originally scheduled for Summer 2008, it is likely that this launch will now take place in Autumn 2008.
Thank you for your patience during this extremely busy period!
Call for experts - Closed
The INTERREG IVC JTS received almost 500 responses to the recent call for experts, which closed on 22 February 2008. The selection process is underway, and all candidates will be notified of the results as soon as the process is completed.
First call for applications closed
The JTS received more than 480 applications for the first round of funding under INTERREG IVC by 15 January 2008!
Further information on these applications is being prepared, and will be published as soon as available. A revised timetable for the assessment process will also be put online once finalised.
Our thanks go to all regions who put in a lot of effort to submit their application on time.
Country specific information updated 21 January 2008
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
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING CORRECTION TO APPLICATION FORM
Please note that an updated version of the Application is available on the Application page since Monday 5 November at 12:30 GMT. The previous version of the Application Form contained a mistake in Section 5 ‘Partnership’. The co-financing rate indicated for Swedish and Slovak partners was inversed. This has now been rectified to the correct levels – 75% for Swedish partners and 85% for Slovak partners. Applicants are therefore strongly advised to use this updated version of the Application Form. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Presentations available from Lead Applicant Seminars
Download here the useful presentations given at Lead Applicant Seminars so far in Tallinn, Lille, Cyprus...The same information is provided at each event so even if you are not able to make it, you can still benefit from project development advice, financial and budgeting tips, and communication and publicity requirements presented.
Lead Applicant Seminar Presentations
Report from West Information Point Lead Applicant Seminar
Held on 26 November 2007 in Lille, the Lead Applicant seminar was attended by over 60 people. Download the report and photos here.
Lead Applicant seminar and launch event for Information Point East in Katowice
The newly-installed Information Point East in Katowice will hold a Lead Applicant Seminar on Monday 10 December, at the Qubus Hotel Katowice. This event also marks the launch of this new office, and will be attended by the new Minister for Regional Development in Poland, Elżbieta Bieńkowska and Jan Olbrycht of the European Parliament's Regional Development Committee. Individual consultations will also be possible for project applicants. To register for the seminar and for individual consultations, please consult the Application page, under Assistance to Applicants.
Updated events and assistance for project applicants
A National Information Day will be held in Athens on 16 November, Lead Applicant seminars are open for registration in each area - all updated information is on the Application page, under Assistance to Applicants. Check back regularly to keep updated.
Assistance for project applicants
The INTERREG IVC JTS has put in place several means to provide assistance to project applicants. As well as a regularly updated FAQ page, potential applicants can also use the Project Assistance Form to ask the JTS for feedback on their project idea.
For those who would like to consult with the JTS in person, you can now register for an Individual Consultation. These consultations will take place in Lille on 17 and 25 October, and 8 and 9 November. These days are open to applicants from all over Europe, and are reserved for applicants as defined in the INTERREG IVC OP.
Further consultation days will be organised by each Information Point, from mid-November. Details are now available in the Assistance to Applicants section of Application.
All details and forms can be found in the "Assistance to Project Applicants" section of the Application page.
First call for proposals open for INTERREG IVC programme
The first INTERREG IVC call for proposals was launched on 21st September 2007 and will close on 15th January 2008. It covers the two thematic priorities of the programme: ‘Innovation and knowledge economy’ and ‘Environment and risk prevention’. No specific budget allocation has been set for this first call which is also open to the two types of interventions: ‘Regional Initiative Projects’ and ‘Capitalisation Projects’.
The official text of the 1st call for proposal is available here
The Application Pack is available for download on this website. Potential applicants should read the Programme Manual carefully before contacting the Secretariat.
Concerning the Regions for Economic Change initiative and the Fast Track networks, further information can be found:
- in the INTERREG IVC Programme Manual
- on the Regions for Economic Change website
All requests for information should be sent by email to info[at]interreg4c.net. The secretariat regrets that it is not in a position to take telephone requests at the moment. Individual consultations will be organised over the coming months - more information will be available soon on this website.
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
