Northern Periphery Programme 2007-2013
FIRST CALL FOR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

The Special EU Programmes Body is the Regional Contact Point for the Northern Periphery Programme 2007-2013. The Programme builds on the success of the previous INTERREG IIIB programme (2000-2006) and aims to help peripheral and remote communities on the northern margins of Europe to develop their economic, social and environmental potential. To achieve this aim, innovation, business competitiveness, accessibility, the sustainable development of community and natural resources, and cultural heritage will be supported.

The programme provides the opportunity for transnational cooperation between partners in the participating European Union Member States and Non Member States (programme partner countries). The programme partner countries include parts of Finland , Ireland , Scotland , Sweden , the Faroe Islands, Greenland , Iceland and Norway . In Northern Ireland , twenty district council areas are eligible for funding, apart from Belfast and Outer Belfast.

Following the approval of the Northern Periphery Programme 2007-2013 by the European Commission on 28 September 2007, the first call for proposals was launched on 5 October 2007. The call is open to applicants from across the programme area and will close on 31 October 2007. Applications are invited that address the two priorities of the programme:

1. Promoting innovation and competitiveness in remote and peripheral areas

2. Sustainable development of natural and community resources

No specific budget allocation has been set for this first call. Between 2007-2013 the Programme will allocate around €45 million to projects that address the priorities for transnational cooperation: €35.115 million of European funds (ERDF) will be available to partners in Member States and €10.155 for partners in the Non member States. 60% of the funds are available for projects applying to Priority 1 and 40% for projects in Priority 2.

The recommended minimum size for a main project's total budget is €250 000 and the recommended maximum size is €1.5 million. In general, a 60% grant rate is applied for partners in Member States and 50% for Non Member States.

The Application Pack is available for download on the NPP 2007-2013 website - www.northernperiphery.eu . The Application Pack consists of 5 main documents, all of which should be downloaded:

•  Application form: Parts 1-2 in Word format and Part 3 in Excel format
•  Application Instructions
•  Programme Manual: Part 1 How to Apply and Part 2 Common Eligibility Rules

Potential applicants should read the Programme Manual carefully before completing their application.

Decisions on all main project applications submitted to the first call for proposals will be made at the Programme Monitoring Committee meeting on 18-19 December 2007. It is recommended that applications to the first call have a project activity start date on 1 January or shortly thereafter.

Please contact the Regional Contact Points or Joint Programme Secretariat for further guidance on the programme. Contact details are on the NPP 2007-2013 website: www.northernperiphery.eu

For further information on the process, please contact: