Practical Information and Guidance to Applicants

Green Industry Innovation Programme Romania

July 2014

Ms. Daniela Chifan, Programme Officer Innovation Norway Bucharest Office

Agenda

1. Programme information channel2. Roles and responsibilities 3. How to find a partner?4. Essential reading and important issues8. Project assessment and methodology6. How to apply?7. The Project Contract

Information channel

www.norwaygrants-greeninnovation.no

One general «landing» page: Information about the programme area green industry innovation, bilateral relations and other common issues

Select the specific page for Green Industry Innovation Romania (flag RO)

All relevant information and programme documents

Roles and responsibilities

Innovation Norway – fund manager – overall responsible towards the donor (Norwegian M.F.Affairs)

The National Focal Point – no formal responsibility (consultation/advice/coordination)

Project Promoter (applicant) - fully responsible towards Innovation Norway

Project Partners - responsible to fullfil their tasks towards Project Promoter (Partnership Agreement)

How to find a partner?

Main portal for private sector: www.nortrade.com

Enterprise Europe Network: http://een.ec.europa.eu/

Other relevant web-sites:

Green Business Norway (association for NO companies with green clean technologies): www.greenbusiness.no

NHO (Norwegian Confederation of Enterprises): www.nho.no

ARENA – a Norwegian national programme for regional business clusters: www.arenaprogrammet.no

Travel support is available to search for donor project partners (see section 3 - 2nd Call - Travel Support from programme website)

Essential reading and important issues

Essential reading

2nd Call text for Project proposals

Rules and Procedures

Standard Terms and Conditions

State Aid Regulations – Reg. (EU) 651/2014

Assessment criteria and methodology

Procurement Guidelines

Essential reading and important issues

Eligibility criteria- applicants and partners

- legal entity in Romania/Norway- in operation for at least one full fiscal year - clean criminal and tax records- signed Partnership Agreement – applicant and partner(s)

- main activity closely related to the area for which the application is made

Essential reading and important issues

Eligibility criteria - for project

- contribute to the expected programme outcome- no overlapping or double funding - grant maximum and minimum amounts and co-financing rates are complied with - the project implementation period - no longer than the deadline for cost eligibility: 30 April 2016- compliance with EU and Romanian legislation

Essential reading and important issues

Eligibility criteria – expenditures

- In line with the state aid provisions

- Depend on type of project and activities

- From approval of project until 30 April 2016

- Normally only purchase of new equipment eligible

- Normally 10% of project costs can be buildings/land

Essential reading and important issues

Applicant’s co-financingCash - internal resources or bank loan

Disbursement of grantsAdvance payment: 10-20% of approved grant based on reasoned request

Reimbursement of accrued expenses

Interim Reporting/payment claims

Currency: Euro

Public Procurement Regulations

EU and Romanian legislation on public procurement shall be complied with at any level in the project implementation

If grant = 50% or more - conduct procurement as contracting authority (OUG 34/2006)

Smaller procurement according to Order MFE 1120/2013 or good economic practices set in Procurement Guidelines (see Rules and Procedures – section 6.2)

Essential reading and important issues

Assessment procedure

Organised by Innovation Norway

Common methodology for Individual Project Scheme and Small Grant Scheme

Internal and external experts

Consult with National Focal Point

Criteria: administrative, eligbility and tehnical and financial

Assessment procedure

20 technical and financial assessment criteria, including:- technical and financial capacity- financial reports (certified accounts)- maturity of projects- risk analysis and mitigation plans- project profitability- business plan- innovation level- intellectual Property Rights status- market potential - competitiveness

For general criteria: Scoring 1-6 points Scoring profile - each criteria is weightening differently and may be a critical success factor that could jeopardise the whole project

Reasoned opinions from National Focal Point (mainly, in order to avoid overlapping)

Final decision by Innovation Norway

Assessment procedure

Individual Project Scheme and Small Grants Scheme - via application portal

electronic application form available at: www.norwaygrants-greeninnovation.no

Fund for Bilateral Relations – travel support- via e-mail romania@norwaygrants-greeninnovation.no

How to apply?

Fund for Bilateral Relations

Travel Support Facility- prior approval before travel (Innovation Norway)- reimbursement principle- e-mail romania@norwaygrants-greeninnovation.no

How to apply?

How to apply?

Individual Project Scheme and Small Grant Scheme

Electronic application formavailable at the website:www.norwaygrants-greeninnovation.no

All mandatory attachments and supporting documents to be submitted in electronic versions ONLY

Documents that are part of application form

- Project implementation plan- Detailed activity budget- Letter of commitment- Procurement plan- Publicity plan- Partnership agreement, if applicable- Disbursement plan- CVs of the project team

Other mandatory documents

- Registration certificates

- self declarations re. criminal and tax records and undertaking in difficulty

- Certified accounts

- Business plan

The Project Contract

Project Contract

Standard Terms andConditions

Detailed activity budget

Project Implementation Plan

Disbursement Plan

Green Industry Innovation Programme Romania

Multumesc!

Questions to:romania@norwaygrants-greeninnovation.no