Experiences from the period 2007-2013 and outlook for 2014-2020

Transnational Chamber Training on EU-fundsThe IPA and the Balkan area: case studies for a successful participation to the 2014-2020 funding opportunities

Brussels, 27 March 2015

IPA – funding opportunities for chambers

Service contracts: majority of tenders potential conflict of interest with members commercial aspect versus non-profit concept

Grants: minority of tenders depending on co-financing rate return on staff costs must cover expenses for other direct costs

(travel, events, etc.) number of grants does not justify establishment of an internal

project unit search for lead partners Twinning:

availability of staff low expert fees management fees to be shared with external project management

experts project platform AED in Austria

Budgetary support: replacing tender activities

BRO-suport: from business support to socio-economic programme

PHARE

Objectives: support the ability of BROs to

take on and implement the Community acquis and support its implementation in their member companies  

contribute to the full familiarisation of target business representative organisations with the relevant acquis and its implications vis-à-vis their company members

Budget: 10 Mio. EUR Grant size: 500 – 750 kEUR Co-financing by EU: 80% WKÖ: participation in SME FIT II

consortium led by UEAPME as country coordinator

IPA

Objectives: strengthening of civil society within a

participative democracy, stimulating a civil society friendly 'environment' and culture

promoting the principles and values of the European Union in the potential member states in the region,

respecting the sensitivities of those involved and

enhancing regional cooperation and good neighbourhood relations

Budget: 5 Mio. EUR Grant size: 50 – 500 kEUR Co-financing by EU: 50 - 80% WKÖ: no participation; 1 expert

involved as a speaker in a conference in a environmental project led by the Austrian Red Cross

BRO-Requests for the current period

Re-Focus on BROs instead of civil society as a whole main driver/multiplyer in the accession process, needs expressed by local BROs (e.g. Serbia)

Pragmatic opening to private sector experts project development TAIEX Twinning

Result driven budgeting/financial reporting instead of real cost based more flexibility in implementation

Establish a project development facility in order to increase the absorption capacity in the target countries

Outlook – recently closed and forthcoming calls

Civil Society Dialogue between EU and Turkey - IVEnterprise and Industrial Policy Grant Scheme (CSD - IV/ENT)

Civil Society FacilityOperating Grants to IPA CSO AssociationsSupport to regional thematic associations

Which calls to be expected?

+ specifically designed for business

+ decent co-financing (up to 90 %)- budget available (1.000.000 EUR)

+ improvement of social dialogue and strengthening of the capacities of social economic partners- regional approach (new institutions to be established)- budget available (1.350.000 EUR)