This document provides an introduction to funding available from the European Union (EU) for projects in partner countries. It outlines five main areas: 1) Where to look for funding opportunities, including key EU funding instruments. 2) How to apply for funding, including starting with a problem or finding a problem to fit available funds. 3) Considerations in applying such as the administrative burden and requirements for co-financing. 4) Long term trends in EU funding, including a reform of the financial regulation. 5) The differences between grants and contracts, with contracts providing more funding but requiring competition with the private sector.

1. 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

2. Introduction to EU funding 1 Where to look 2 How to apply 3 Considerations 4 Long term trends 5 Grants vs. contracts Questions

3. 1.1 Where to look 1.2 How to apply 1.3 Considerations 1.4 Long term trends 1.5 Consider contracts and consortia Intro to IPA Funding

4. 1.1 Where to look Look at the instruments For the 2007 to 2013 financial perspective, the EU has adopted a package of six new instruments for the implementation of external assistance: 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) European Development Fund (EDF) (Off-shoot of Cotonou Agreement involving wider ACP with partner-states including Sudan, Mauritania and Somalia) 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) European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR) worldwide Instrument for Stability (IfS) Nuclear Safety Co-operation Instrument (NSCI)

6. 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”

7. 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:

8. 1.2 How to apply European 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

9. 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 apply Other requirements

10. 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!

11. More meritocratic than most donors Less political than most donors Lots of: Internal expertise (in places) Different activities funded Countries covered Money available 1.3 Considerations So why apply?

12. 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

13. 1.4 Long term trends European 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 (?)

14. 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. Contracts A big new question

15. 2. Questions?

16. For further information Thank you! www.euclidnetwork.eu [email_address]