Introduction to IPA funding

Ben Rattenbury, Euclid Network

Euclid Network is an institutional partner of and supported by the European Commission, DG Education and Culture, Active Citizenship

Ohrid, 28 February 2011

Introduction to EU funding1 Where to look2 How to apply3 Considerations4 Long term trends5 Grants vs. contracts

Questions

1.1 Where to look1.2 How to apply1.3 Considerations1.4 Long term trends1.5 Consider contracts and consortia

Intro to IPA Funding

1.1 Where to lookLook at the instrumentsFor the 2007 to 2013 financial perspective, the EU has adopted

a package of six new instruments for the implementation of external assistance:

1. European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI)(Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Russia, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine)

2. European Development Fund (EDF)(Off-shoot of Cotonou Agreement involving wider ACP with partner-states including Sudan, Mauritania and Somalia)

3. Development Co-operation Instrument (DCI)Identifies involvement of non-state actors and local authorities in development among its thematic priorities; aims at co-operation with Asia and Middle East (if not included in ENPI or EDF)

4. European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR) worldwide

5. Instrument for Stability (IfS)

6. Nuclear Safety Co-operation Instrument (NSCI)

1.1 Where to look

https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/online-services/index.cfm?ADSSChck=1224846858672&do=publi.welcome&userlanguage=en

or google “europeaid grants”

1.2 How to apply

•Start with a problem and find funds •Start with the funds/programmes and find

a problem You may have to combine both

approaches!

Two approaches:

1.2 How to applyEuropean Guidelines

• All EU programmes have Guidelines

• Can be difficult to understand, and/or very specific or very vague

• It can be a challenge to make your problem fit in the programme

• Carefully check eligibility, requirements, budgetary regulations and timescales

• Normally require partnerships or consortia

• High administrative burden– Need official declarations and forms– May require PADOR registration

• Personal contacts are very important – get to know people in the Commission, (and to a lesser extent, the delegations)

• Always need co-financing (10-50%)

1.2 How to applyOther requirements

1.3 Considerations

•Grant applications take time,energy, staff and resources

•Can be hard to succeed •Often not huge sums

(generally €50,000 - 150,000)•Sometimes not financially viable, e.g.

7% for overheads

If you want the money, beware!

•More meritocratic than most donors•Less political than most donors•Lots of:

–Internal expertise (in places)–Different activities funded–Countries covered–Money available

So why apply?

1.3 Considerations

EC famously risk averse; avoid corruption at all costs, therefore low focus

on innovation

BUT

Reform of the financial regulation now possible

1.4 Long term trends

1.4 Long term trendsEuropean Financial Regulation

- Official review process started January 2010

- EN started independent consultation in August (DG Budget hadn't announced any public consultation including civil society)

- DG EaC helped using the newly established Working Group on European Funding, hosting the first meeting of the working group in September inviting DG Budget officials

- Budget Commissioner finally launched a consultation (including civil society)

Worth €50 billion per year (?)

• Contracts are where the real money is to be found

• BUT civil society must:– compete with private sector– professionalise– build strong consortia

1.5 Grants vs. ContractsA big new question

2. Questions?

For further information

Thank you!

www.euclidnetwork.eu

ben.rattenbury@euclidnetwork.eu