  What is INTERREG IVA Programme 2007-2013?The INTERREG IVA Programme is the Cross-Border Territorial Cooperation Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region and Western Scotland. The overall aim of the INTERREG IVA Programme is to: ‘Support strategic cross-border co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable region.’ The INTERREG IVA Programme 2007 – 2013 is targeted at the following eligible NUTS III areas: To view a map of the INTERREG IVA Programme Eligible Area click here. Details of the New Call - Rural DevelopmentA call for applications has been announced under Priority 2; Theme 1 of the INTERREG IVA Programme. The call is being made under Priority 2: – Co-operation for a more sustainable cross-border region. This priority aims to improve access to services so as to improve the quality of life for those living in the eligible area. The Theme within Priority 2 under which this call is being made is: Rural Development. The Rural Development sub-theme has a particular focus on improving the socio-economic welfare of rural communities through collaboration across the eligible area. The INTERREG IVA Programme is calling for strategic proposals which aim to develop environment projects under one or more of the following four key environmental priorities Definitions of Rural Although the eligible area for this Programme shares a similar rural landscape, the understanding of the actual term ‘rural’ is different within each of the three participating regions. A definition of ‘rural’ has been provided for each of the jurisdictions and it is important that you adhere to these in the development of your proposal. For Northern Ireland, rural is defined as all those areas outside the statutory development limits of those settlements with a population in excess of 4,500 inhabitants. For Ireland, rural is considered as all areas of the six Irish border counties excluding those towns listed as hubs and gateways under the National Spatial Strategy (Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Dundalk and Letterkenny towns) For the eligible area in Scotland, rural is defined as settlements with a population of less than 3,000. The Programme retains the flexibility to support projects located in more urban settings in cases where the projects will principally benefit rural communities. A robust case must be made in such circumstances to justify the consideration of such an application. The detailed background information to the application form can be found by clicking here. The application form and detailed application form guidance is available to download via the www.eugrants.org For a copy of the detailed eligibility and selection criteria for the Rural Development theme of the INTERREG IVA Programme please click here. Detailed Criteria The Criteria is as follows: • The proposal must demonstrate how it will support the sustainable socio-economic development of disadvantaged rural communities through strategically focused cross border-actions; • A comprehensive delivery plan should be developed for the proposal showing how it will be implemented and showing the planned timescale for delivery of the project; • The proposal must show how it will adopt innovative approaches to enhancing the rural economy on a cross-border basis; • The proposal should demonstrate clear and well defined complementarity to the Rural Development Programmes of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland; • The impact of the project should be clearly stated. It should have the potential to make a major impact during and beyond the lifetime of the Programme to ensure the continuing development of the rural economy through cross-border activities; • As the Rural Development theme of INTERREG IVA has a strong focus on targeting disadvantage, applicants must provide a full list of all District Electoral Divisions targeted in the border counties of Ireland and the Wards / Super Output Areas targeted in Northern Ireland, and Scotland if applicable. Measuring Impact The INTERREG IVA Programme is calling for strategic proposals which support the sustainable socio-economic development of particularly disadvantaged rural communities through strategically focused cross-border actions. In order to specifically measure the impact of this sub-theme and the projects funded by it, all applicants must incorporate a target for the number of people directly benefiting from their socio-economic project. Also, the applicants must describe the methodology they will use to monitor, measure and report against their stated target. Performance updates will be required twice per year during the funding period. Capital Developments Those proposals intending to undertake a capital development must be able to provide satisfactory evidence that the project will complete within the timeframe indicated in the application. Obviously, those proposals which already have the necessary statutory approvals in place will be ready to proceed and more likely to complete within the Programme lifetime than those that do not. Ineligible Activities Funding will not be provided for: o Applicants to operate small grants / open calls within the framework of their proposal; o Food manufacturing / processing and direct agricultural activity; o Preparation of business plans, marketing plans and research / feasibility studies. Closing Date The call for applications under the Rural Development sub theme will close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 30th September 2009. The closing date will be strictly adhered to. Applications will not be accepted after the published closing date. Details of the Environment CallA call for applications has been announced under Priority 2; Theme 2 of the INTERREG IVA Programme. The call is being made under Priority 2: – Co-operation for a more sustainable cross-border region. This priority aims to improve access to services so as to improve the quality of life for those living in the eligible area. The Theme within Priority 2 under which this call is being made is: Environment. Sub-Theme – Environment Theme The INTERREG IVA Programme is calling for strategic proposals which aim to develop environment projects under one or more of the following four key environmental priorities These are: Resource Management; Water; Biodiversity; Marine. It is likely that your project will address only one of the priority areas above. However, it is possible that your project may cover two or more of the priority areas. The detailed background information to the application form can be found by clicking here. The application form and detailed application form guidance is available to download via the www.eugrants.org For a copy of the detailed eligibility and selection criteria for the Environment theme of the INTERREG IVA Programme please click here. Focus of the Call The detailed criteria for each of the priority areas are as follows: A. Resource Management 1. Contributes to the development and/or implementation of activities that promote stakeholder awareness and understanding, and support best practice in sustainable land, soils and aquatic resource use and management. 2. Develops tools, knowledge or techniques to support and monitor sustainable land, soil and aquatic resource management policy, planning and strategies. These may include activities which support the implementation of the forthcoming Soils Framework Directive and Environmental Liability Directive. 3. Promotes training, knowledge sharing (or transfer) and skills development for practitioners of sustainable land, soils and aquatic resources management. B. Water 1. Contributes to the management and protection of the water environment, including all waters within River Basin Districts and International River Basin Districts (as identified under the EC Water Framework Directive). 2. Promotes activities that contribute to the sustainable management and protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwaters as a resource and water dependent habitats and species. 3. Promotes research and monitoring that contributes to policy, strategy development and management of water as a resource and water dependant habitats and species. 4. Contributes to the delivery of targeted education, training, knowledge transfer or information sharing and dissemination in support of sustainable management and use of water as a resource, including management in support of water dependent habitats and species. This can include engagement with stakeholders and the public as well as between professionals. C. Biodiversity 1. Contributes to the local delivery of national and local biodiversity action plan priorities and targets which will lead to halting and/or reversal of biodiversity loss. 2. Contributes to the local delivery of European and national legislation relating to the conservation of biodiversity. 3. Contributes to maintaining and improving biodiversity by undertaking work leading to the control and/or eradication of invasive species. 4. Contributes to improving the knowledge, awareness and understanding of biodiversity to aid the delivery of national and local biodiversity plans, including a greater appreciation of biodiversity’s role in producing ecosystem services for the benefit of society. D. Marine 1. Promotes activities to map local marine water bodies. 2. Contributes to the development of Marine Spatial Planning. 3. Promotes awareness and knowledge of the distribution of natural resources, further promoting sustainable use and exploitation as part of an overall economic development framework. 4. Contributes to the local delivery of European and national legislation (including the Marine Strategy Directive) relating to Maritime Safety, Renewable Energy, Aggregates, Tourism and Sustainable Fishing. 5. Contributes to strategic improvement of safety of navigation and maritime transport infrastructure. Detailed notes are available to the application form which will guide you and help ensure that your answers relate to each of specified criteria for the priority to which you are applying. Closing Date The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 10th July. Late application will not be accepted Details of the Closed CallsPriority 2: Theme 1 Collaboration The call for applications under Priority 2 Co-operation for a more sustainable Cross Border region - Theme 1: Collaboration of the INTERREG IVA Programme is closed as of 5/09/2008. Priority 2 : Theme 2 Infrastructure / Energy The call for applications under Priority 2 Co-operation for a more sustainable Cross Border region - Theme 2: Infrastructure/Energy of the INTERREG IVA Programme is closed as of 5/09/2008. Priority 1 : Theme 2 Enterprise The call for applications under Priority 1 Co-operation for a more prosperous Cross Border region - Theme 1: Enterprise of the INTERREG IVA Programme is closed as of 15/02/2008. A further call under this theme and calls for applications for other themes in the programme will be made in the future. Proposals relating to the Creative Industries and Financial Services sectors will be dealt with at a later date. At present, interested parties are not invited to make proposals under these themes. Further information on this aspect of the INTERREG IVA Programme will be available shortly on the SEUPB website. Priority 1 : Theme 2 Tourism The call for applications under Priority 1 Co-operation for a more prosperous Cross Border region - Priority 1; Theme 2: Tourism of the INTERREG IVA Programme is closed as of 06/06/2008. How to ApplyTo apply, please visit the official EU grants site www.eugrants.org. Applications can only be made by visiting this site and application forms cannot be obtained without first registering on the www.eugrants.org website. This site provides information on all Structural Funds including Peace III and INTERREG IVA. It provides the Part A online application form and the Part B downloadable application form (available as a word document). Who can Apply?From a corporate governance perspective, the Lead Partner in any application to the INTERREG IVA Programme should be a Public Sector Body or equivalent. Public equivalent means any legal body governed by public or private law that is: 1) Established for the specific purpose of meeting needs of general interest, not having an industrial or commercial character;* 2) Having legal personality; and 3) Either financed, for the most part, by the state, regional or local authorities, or other bodies governed by public law or subject to management supervision by those bodies or having an administrative, managerial or supervisory board, more than half of whose member are appointed by the state, regional or local authorities or by other bodies governed by public law. *This definition does not exclude bodies partly having an industrial and commercial character, which deal with public tasks, such bodies may be asked to submit a clarification statement issued by regional/local authorities The financial requirements of ERDF are such that it is considered that large public bodies, with strong governance, risk management and compliance procedures in place, will be best placed to manage and report on the funding and to deliver on the project outcomes. To apply for INTERREG funding you must fill out an application form. The application form is in two parts, Part A and Part B. You can complete Part A online at www.eugrants.org. Part B is downloadable application form (available as a word document) and detailed background information. If you have problems completing Part A online or can’t access the website, contact the Special EU Programmes Body for assistance. Background InformationFollowing documents include some background information: • Frequently Asked Questions - A list of FAQ’s have been developed and will be updated regularly. • Lead Partner Principle - Applications to the INTERREG IVA Programme will be submitted by the Lead Partner on behalf of the Partnership. The role of the Lead Partner brings with it added responsibilities. Please read this background information carefully to understand the role you are taking on. Creating a Communication Plan - A Communication Plan is a basic eligibility requirement and must be sent in with all applications. To download the current Publicity Guide for Lead Partners and Projects, please click here • Checklist for Large Scale Capital Proposals - A checklist has been developed to assist projects that may involved any capital development. This is designed to assist you in considering all of the elements that should be included when your project has a capital element. Bear in mind: These documents are subject to change and not all the background information is available yet. Please check our website regularly to get an update. This background information has been written following close reference to the relevant EU Regulations as the new Programmes must meet the requirements of the regulatory framework for the Programmes which are set by EU Legislation and Guidelines. The main regulations are: Full details of all of these regulations can be obtained by visiting http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docoffic/official/regulation/newregl0713_en.htm. Project Implementation GuidelinesJTS has designed a number of project implementation guidelines which are essential reading for all project promoters. These guidelines contain the most important information on each stage of project implementation and clarify the working procedures you should abide by in order to implement a successful project. Project promoters are advised to regularly check this programme section as this will be updated with new project implementation guidelines. This practical implementation tools should be read in conjunction with the Guidance Notes issued by the Managing Authority at SEUPB for the PEACE III Programme and any other guidance provided to the lead partner. IG – Implementation guidance on submission and payment of claims Guidance NotesPlease click here to access the guidance notes for INTERREG IVA. |
Download the Operational Programme for INTERREG IVA The Operational Programme is perhaps the most important document for you to read in advance of making an application and should form the basis of your project planning. To view a copy of the final Operational Programme for the INTERREG IVA Programme 2007 – 2013 click here
To access the Programme's Article 9 Environmental Statement please click here
Contact Us Further information on the INTERREG IVA Programme is available by contacting the SEUPB at either our Belfast or Monaghan office.
| Contact Name: Eimear Murphy | Contact Name: Nuala Cormican | Contact Name: Caroline Coleman | |||
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Email: info@seupb.eu |
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