F.2.1 Calls for applications
The Programme allocates its funding to platforms through calls for applications. The MC defines the timing and specific conditions of the calls. These conditions may include e.g. the amount of funding dedicated to the call or its thematic focus. The MA/ JS publishes this information on the Programme portal in an announcement note.
Table 13 Application stages in one step call for project platforms
What happens
Publishing of the announcement note on the Programme portal
Who takes the action
MA/JS
Development of the applications
Applicants
Submission of the applications
Lead applicant
Admissibility check
MA/JS and lead applicant
Quality assessment
MA/JS
Decision on applications
MC
Information about the outcomes
(Approval or rejection letter)
MA/JS
Contracting of applications
MA/JS and applicants
Applicants have at least two months to prepare their complete application. The MA/JS provides further guidance in events, tutorials and consultations. In addition, the application form contains guiding questions. The announcement note contains information on what to submit and when.
F.2.2 Admissibility check
During the admissibility check the MA/JS verifies if the applications fulfil the minimum technical requirements. The table below includes the list of applied criteria. As part of the admissibility check, the MC verifies the compliance of the legal status of all project partners with the Programme requirements. The MC members or the MA/JS might contact lead applicants and request additional documents. The MA/JS will assess the application according to the quality criteria only if it fulfils the minimum technical requirements.
Table 14 Admissibility check criteria for project platforms
Minimum technical requirements
1Â Â Application is submitted via BAMOS+ by the deadline
2Â Â Application is written in English
3Â Â Application is complete
4Â Â All partner declarations have been submitted to the document centre
5Â Â Minimum requirements regarding the transnational approach are met
6Â Â Minimum requirements regarding the partnership composition are met
7Â Â Legal status of the lead partner is in accordance with the Programme requirement
8Â Â Geographical eligibility of the lead partner is in line with the Programme requirements
9Â Â The application fits the focus of the call (only relevant for focused calls)
F.2.3 Quality assessment
The MA/JS carries out the quality assessment of the application according to the criteria presented in table 14. To ensure equal treatment of all applicants the MA/JS does not request any additional clarifications during the quality assessment process. The assessment sheets summarise the assessment outcomes. Lead applicants receive the assessment sheet of their projects after the selection of the applications regardless of whether their platform application is successful or not.
Table 15 Quality assessment criteria for platforms
I. Relevance of the proposal
Criteria
Focus
Guiding question
Does the challenge tackled by the platform match the selected thematic Programme objective and the thematic focus of the call?
Is the application in line with the focus of the platform approach?
Criteria
Target groups
Guiding question
Are the selected target groups relevant to tackle the identified challenge?
Are the needs of the target groups clearly described?
Criteria
Transnational value
Guiding question
Does the application clearly explain the need for transnational cooperation to address the identified challenge?
Criteria
Project objective
Guiding question
Is the planned platform objective in line with the needs of the target groups?
Criteria
Contribution to the policies and strategies
Guiding question
Does the project plan to contribute to the implementation of the Action Plan of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR)?
Is cooperation with the coordinators of the policy areas planned?
Does the project plan to contribute to achieving specific goals or implementing actions of other strategic documents relevant to the Programme area?
Criteria
Additional value
Guiding question
Does the application demonstrate additional value to finalised and running projects, in particular to the projects of Interreg Baltic Sea Region?
Does the application demonstrate additional value to existing coordination structures in the region and cooperation among projects, in particular from Interreg Baltic Sea Region?
II. Partnership
Criteria
Partnership potential
Guiding question
Does the partnership have the necessary competence to implement the planned activities and to achieve the planned objective?
Do all platform partners represent projects of Interreg Baltic Sea Region or other EU funding programmes? If not, what additional expertise do those partners bring into the platform?
Are the roles of all partners in project implementation clearly explained?
Is the involvement of the partners planned in accordance with the requirements of the Programme?
Are the involvement and responsibilities of the partners planned in a balanced way?
Are the roles of the associated organisations clearly explained?
Do the partners have sufficient human and financial capacity?
III. Work plan
Criteria
Activities and outputs
Guiding question
Is the approach to interlinking and synthesising the selected projects’ results clear and realistic? Are other activities well described and clear?
Do the planned activities lead to the outputs?
Do the planned activities and outputs help reach the platform objective?
Does the platform plan to implement activities in a transnational setting?
Criteria
Target groups
Guiding question
Does the platform plan a realistic and thorough approach to reaching out to the target groups and engaging them in platform activities?
Does the platform help the target groups learn about the selected projects’ results and further platform outputs? Does it help the target groups use them in their work?
Is the target for the result indicator on the increased institutional capacity set by the platform realistic?
IV. Durability
Criteria
Durability of the outputs
Guiding question
Is the further use of the platform outputs by the partners and other organisations ensured?
Does the developed durability concept include institutional and financial support to keep the outputs functional after the platform ends?
V. Budget
Criteria
Budget adequacy
Guiding question
Is the budget appropriate in relation to the planned activities, outputs, results and involvement of partners?
Criteria
Eligibility
Guiding question
Are there any indications of ineligible costs in the work plan and ineligible project partner structures?
Have the State aid rules been followed?
F.2.4 Selection by the MC
The MC selects applications for funding. The MC bases its strategic assessment on the results of the quality assessment. The MC might take additional factors into account e.g. existing portfolio of approved projects or availability of funds in each priority of the Programme. At the time of the selection, the MC may set requirements for applications to be addressed during the contracting phase. The applicants will be informed about the outcome of the MC selection as soon as possible.
