North West Europe Programme
The priorities are detailed in the Operational programme which was agreed by the European Commission on 26 September 2007. The maximum intervention rate for the priorities will be 50% of eligible costs. The total ERDF budget is €355mThe Managing Authority is the Nord-Pas de Calais Region based in Lille, France. The Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) in London co-ordinate for the UK.
How to apply for funding
The programme operates bidding rounds for applications.
The NWE Programme website provides information on how to apply for funding, as well as how to register project ideas on-line. A list of project ideas that have already been registered is accessible by priority and country.
Progress of programme
From rounds 1 to 10, a total of 16 Projects involving Welsh partners (5 led by Welsh organisations) have been awarded approval with a total project grant award of €54m. Currently €8.5m of EU funding has been directly awarded to Welsh partners through the North West Europe Programme.
Applicant guidance
We have been reminded by the JTS that eligibility and selection criteria will be strictly applied under the programme. The JTS have produced Guidance Note 5, summarising key eligibility/selection criteria and general application guidance for sponsors. To note - this is reviewed and may be changed under calls for applications – refer to NW Europe website.
General Pointers for applicants;
- Try to be specific and focus on what the projects main objectives are, try not to cover too many topics, as focus will be lost. Simplicity is the key.
- Good communication plans are essential, as is tangible evidence of integrated partner working.
- There is no formal minimum or maximum size of project. What is important is the quality as a whole, which gives project flexibility to be larger, provided quality is commensurately strong
- It is essential to read the paragraphs in the NWE Operational programme which describe the NWE SWOT for each priority and the reasons for selection. Relating these to what your organisation is looking to do over the next few years will help you better identify project ideas which fit NWE aspirations
Contacts
- Joint Technical Secretariat (Lille)
- Website: www.nweurope.org
- Contact Point: Paula Maclachlan
- WEFO Contact: Mike Ford