How to Prepare a Good Proposal?

Estonia

16 June 2016

Kaia Treier, NEEMO EEIG-ELLE

Facts of LIFE

1. There is significant competition for LIFE funds

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CLIMA proposals are included in ‘ENV’ and ‘INF’ strands

Submission Trend 2007 – 2014 (Total)

Success Rate – roughly

around 10% but depends

very much on the country

Facts of LIFE

2. You can't get a grant if you don't submit an application

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Dates

Call for Proposals launch: 19 May 2016

Deadline for submission by applicants of traditional projects:

7 September 2016 - climate action sub-programme

12 September 2016 – environment & resource efficiency

15 September 2016 – nature & biodiversity, environmental governance & information

Earliest project start date: 15 June 2017 for climate sub-programme, 1 July (Env&Resource efficiency,GIE, NAT projects) 55

Facts of LIFE

3. It takes time and money to prepare an application

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Information Sources

LIFE Regulation – priority areas

MAWP (Multiannual work programme) –project topics

Application Packages

Guides for evaluation of LIFE projectproposals

LIFE Web site

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LIFE multiannual work programme (MAWP) for 2014-2017

Stronger emphasis on: Long term sustainability of the project Replicability and transferability EU added value

New requirement – Impact indicators

Long Term Sustainability

Sustainability of project resultsshould be built in the proposal

Potential to use project resultsbeyond the project life time

Particularly important for awardcriterion 1 Technical coherence andquality

Replicability and Transferability

Go beyond dissemination of projectresults and sharing of knowledge

Include activities and approachesintegrated in project actions which aimto facilitate the replication and/ortransfer of the project results beyondthe project, including in other sectors,regions or countries

EU Added Value

Each project should demonstrate

EU Added Value in terms of:

Coverage

Replicability

Transferability or

Transnational scope (if necessary for achieving project results)

Impact Indicators

LIFE Programme 2014-2020 puts anemphasis on impact indicators – tomeasure impact of each individual project

Each project has to report on keyindicators during and after the projectend

Social and economic indicatorsmandatory for ALL projects!

Application Package (per project type, per priority area)

Guidelines for Applicants (and forms)

Evaluation Guidelines

Model Grant Agreement and General Conditions

Comparative Document (is LIFE the right instrument? Which strand?):

vs. Horizon 2020 (vs. structural funds)?

NAT vs. BIO vs. ENV vs. CCA vs. CCM // GIE vs. GIC?

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Project Budget (1)

Only costs incurred for actions implemented during project life-time can be eligible!

Personnel – 2% rule for public bodies

Daily rate – based on gross salary + contributions according to the national legislation (social security, pension, etc.)

Travel costs – according to internal rules of project beneficiaries

External assistance – not more than 35% of the total budget

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Project Budget (2)

Durable goods – 100% for NAT projects, for the rest, only depreciation costs can be financed by the Union support (up to 25% for infrastructure, up to 50% for equipment), has to bear LIFE logo

Prototypes – 100% if developed specifically for LIFE project, cannot be used for commercial purposes at least 5 years after the project end

Public tender – mandatory for contracts above 130,000 €

Public entities must comply with national legislation

Good value for money

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Be AWARE (1)

READ the application guidelines

Be SURE that LIFE is the appropriate funding programme for you:

LIFE is not a structural fund: do not see it as an operational business financing tool

Be AWARE of all the exceptions that may apply to you

Ensure financial coherence; Watch COST EFFECTIVENESS

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Be AWARE (2)

FOCUS - Do NOT include actions not related to the objective of your proposal

Remember: If your project doesn't fit a priority project topic, you will receive fewer points!

The SELECTION procedure of LIFE is very tough, thorough and detailed.

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Thank you for your attention!

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/index.htm