This document provides guidance on designing and managing EU-funded grant schemes. It discusses the key stages in the grant cycle including operational programming, evaluation, contracting and monitoring. It also covers important considerations for grant scheme design such as eligibility criteria, evaluation methodology, and types of support provided to applicants. The goal is to help ensure grant funding achieves its objectives in an efficient, transparent and impartial manner.

1. Paul Smith An introduction to the design and management of EU funded grant schemes 3/23/2011

3. Grant contracts

4. Grant monitoring

5. Technical specifications

6. Terms of Reference

10. Choosing the right contract 3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 6 Agreement on project objectives Question Project objective: to increase competitiveness of Serbian SMEs What are the alternative approaches? Identify alternative approaches Determine project activities and inputs Identify most cost-effective and timely solution Choose contract type

12. Payment of non-commercial nature to implement an action intended to help achieve the purpose

13. Funds support statutory activities of beneficiaries

14. Funds cover only eligible incurred costs

15. Results of the project are owned by the Beneficiary and/or its partners

16. But it is not a Donation!!!3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 7

18. When the ‘best way’ depends on a number of factors which vary from place to place or from company to company

19. When we need to generate quick and visible results

20. To increase capacity of local organisations

21. To stimulate partnership working

22. To incentivise a change in behaviour3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 8

23. Advantages and disadvantages Advantages Effective way of getting assistance directly to end beneficiaries Build project management capacity in organisations Can builds linkages between local organizations They generate short term results in terms of stimulating innovation and increasing competitiveness Disadvantages Length of time between submission and start date can cause frustration and a difficulty in implementation Less experienced organizations need additional support in the design and delivery of their projects External consultants used to design / manage projects Sensitivities to market distortion 3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 9

25. Contracting Authority

26. Beneficiary of a Grant

27. Lead Applicant

28. Partners and Associates

29. Grant Contract

30. Target Group

31. Final Beneficiary3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 10

34. Grant size and Project size

35. Co-financing

36. Grant project duration

37. Number of calls3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 12

39. Eligibility criteria established for applicants, actions and costs3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 13

46. Application Form 3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 19 I APPLICATION FORM: includes justification, activities, methodology, results, sustainability and multiplier effects: Concept Note Full Application II APPLICANT: financial, technical and operational capacity IIIPARTNERS: financial, technical and operational capacity IVASSOCIATES VCHECKLIST VIDECLARATION VIIASSESSMENT GRID

47. The Evaluation Process 3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 20 Receipt and registration Receipt Contracting Authority Opening Session and Administrative Check Secretary Chair Assessors Approval by Evaluation Committee Evaluation of the Concept Note Applicants informed Evaluation of the Application Form Applicants informed Verification of eligibliity Applicants informed Conclusions of the Evaluation Committee

49. Voting members - collective decision making

52. The Committee does not have to allocate all available funds

53. The Committee may draw up a list by subject or geographical area specified in the Guidelines for Applicants.

54. The Committee may reject a proposal if:

55. Two or more are similar

56. Two or more from the same applicant or partner

57. The Committee may draw upa reserve list3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 22

59. Contract is annexed to the Guidelines for Applicants

62. Financial modifications up to 15% of the budget heading are allowed without contractual amendments

63. Expenditure verification for grants more than 100,000 euro

64. Procurement procedures to be followed are SIMPLIFIED but may also reflect other donors systems3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 24

66. Training

67. Networking

68. Guidance notes

69. Visibility requirements

70. Modifications to contracts

71. Minor – information contracting authority

72. Major – contract modification required3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 25

74. Logical framework

75. Activity schedule

76. Budget

77. Reporting requirements

78. Technical and financial

79. Interim and final

80. Collection of good practice

81. Promotional materials

82. Programme level monitoring3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 26

84. Budget spent

85. “Hard” results or outputs achieved

86. Use of resources

87. Evaluation of procedures

88. Net Impact Evaluation (2 – 3 years after completion)

89. Against scheme indicators: start-ups, increased exports, increased productivity

90. Recommendations feed back into scheme design3/23/2011 Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project 27