First Call for Preparatory projects
The first call for preparatory projects in the Interreg NPA 2021-2027 opens on 29th August and closes on 19th September 2022 12:00 (noon) CET.
The Monitoring Committee is expected to decide on the successful project applications on 23rd November 2022. (Decision date subject to approval by NPA Monitoring committee at its September meeting).
Terms of Reference
In order to support the development of high quality applications, the Monitoring Committee of Interreg NPA would like to announce and encourage preparatory project applicants to submit their preparatory project ideas, in order to explore potential partnerships and secure match funding sources for a future main project application.
The experience from previous years has shown that preparatory projects are an important tool for development of strong and well-balanced project partnership. Both, experienced and inexperienced project partners are encouraged to apply and use the preparatory projects for establishing new connections and discussing the project ideas.
The Monitoring Committee is looking to fund projects in the following Priorities:
- PRIORITY 1: Strengthening the innovation capacity for resilient and attractive NPA communities
- PRIORITY 2: Strengthening the capacity for climate change adaptation, and resource sufficiency in NPA communities
Project Structure
Interreg NPA is funding two types of preparatory projects:
- Up to 50.000 EUR for a 6-months preparatory project
- Up to 100.000 EUR for a 12-months preparatory project
The support to the beneficiaries will be handled as a lump sum based on a draft budget. In case of approval, the draft budget will be converted to a lump sum budget in Jems.The NPA eligibility rules and intervention rates outlined in the Programme Manual apply.
Minimum requirements
Preparatory projects involve partners from at least 2 programme partner countries, at least one of which from an EU Member States. Partnerships are recommended to include at least 2 of the 3 geographical zones of the programme area: Finland-Sweden-Norway; Ireland; Faroe Islands-Greenland-Iceland.
Lead Partners must be public organisations based in the NPA Programme area (unless they have a national remit that covers the Programme area). Project partners can be either public or private.
Expected outcomes
Preparatory projects applicants are expected to address their chosen specific objective with actions such as:
- feasibility studies
- stakeholder mapping
- and recommendations with the purpose of developing project ideas.
Ideally, the projects will conclude with the presentation of a main project application addressing the Third or Fourth Call for main project proposals.
How to apply
Interested organisations should carefully read the documents in the Application Pack available on the right-hand side of this webpage before submitting a project proposal.
The Application Pack includes:
- Cooperation programme document: the Cooperation Programme contains an extract of the document submitted to the European Commission for approval. It focuses on the joint programme strategy and priorities.
- Programme Manual: the Programme Manual contains the essential information needed for developing and implementing an NPA project.
- Call Terms of Reference: the Terms of Reference list the specific conditions for projects applying under this call.
- Preparatory project Application form Offline Template and guidance: in this template, applicants will find practical guidance about the content and data expected to be submitted in an application. Editable and read-only versions available.
- Jems User Manual: a step-by-step guidance how to submit an application in Jems.
- Mandatory Annexes: the Lead Partner and the Partner statement must be signed and uploaded with the project Application form.
Applicants willing to submit a project proposal are invited to complete and submit an application form via the electronic monitoring system, Jems, before the call deadline on 19th September 2022, 12:00 (noon) CET.
Watch the call pre-announcement video here.
Further information
If you are interested in applying, we recommend that you are in touch with the Regional Contact Point in your region. Alternatively, you can contact Christopher Parker at the Programme Secretariat, christopher.parker{at}interreg-npa.eu .
