Cohesion Policy 2014 – 2020
European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund (2014-2020)
Guidance Notes on the Call for Proposals under
Operational Programme I
Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges
Priority Axis 3
‘Enhancing Malta’s competitiveness through investment in SMEs’
Priority Axis 4
‘Shifting towards a low-carbon economy’
Priority Axis 5
‘Protecting our environment - investing in natural and cultural assets’
Priority Axis 11
‘Investing in TEN-T infrastructure’
1
Contents
1.
Scope of the Guidelines ............................................................................................................ 3
2.
Background information on the ERDF and CF in 2014-2020 programming period ...................... 3
3.
Context of the Call..................................................................................................................... 4
4.
The Application Process ............................................................................................................ 5
5.
General Test of Eligibility ........................................................................................................... 6
6.
Project Eligibility and Selection Criteria ...................................................................................... 7
7.
Support ................................................................................................................................... 18
2
1. Scope of the Guidelines
The scope of these guidelines is to provide assistance to potential Applicants interested in applying
for funding under Call 1 of Operational Programme I ‘Fostering a competitive and sustainable
economy to meet our challenges’, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and
the Cohesion Fund (CF), through the 2014-2020 Structural Funds Programming Period.
In Malta, the ERDF and CF falls under the responsibility of the Managing Authority (MA) namely the
Planning and Priorities Co-ordination Division (PPCD), which falls under the Ministry for European
Affairs and the Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto (MEAIM).
Potential Applicants are encouraged to read through these Guidance Notes and the relevant
1
sections of Operational Programme I as will be highlighted in the sections below, in order to
avoid submitting ineligible applications.
The Managing Authority will be issuing a detailed guidance document to accompany these guidelines,
in order to explain how to complete the online application form.
2. Background information on the ERDF and CF in 2014-2020 programming period
Following consultation among various levels of governance, representatives from interest groups, civil
society and local and regional representatives, Malta adopted a "Partnership Agreement" with the
European Commission, thus establishing the strategy for the optimal use of European Structural and
Investment Funds in the country. This Partnership Agreement provides the overarching strategy
which delineates the main areas of intervention envisaged under the European Structural and
Investment Funds, while the various Operational Programmes, serve as a tool with which Malta can
turn the investment priorities and objectives set for each fund into concrete actions.
The European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are made up of the below funds:
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The European Regional Structural Fund;
The European Social Fund;
The Cohesion Fund;
The European Maritime and Fishery Fund;
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural;
The ERDF and CF are subject to the same rules of programming, management and monitoring as
the other European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and as from 2014, these operate under
2
a common framework and pursue complementary policy objectives.
1
The document can be downloaded from:
https://eufunds.gov.mt/en/Operational%20Programmes/Programming%20Period%202014%20-%202020/Pages/ProgrammingPeriod-2014---2020.aspx
2
During 2014-20 programming period, there is a single set of rules covering the EU's 5 structural and investment funds (ESIF):
which are European Regional Developmen Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), Cohesion Fund (CF), European
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF). These are the main source of
investment at EU level to help Member States to restore and increase growth and ensure a job rich recovery while ensuring
sustainable development, in line with the Europe 2020 objectives.
3
Operational Programme I ‘Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges’
is built on 11 Priority Axes: Axes 1 to 9 funded under the European Regional Development Fund while
Axes 10 and 11 are funded under the Cohesion Fund.
The ERDF aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by correcting
imbalances between its regions and focuses its investments on several key priority areas, which are:

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Innovation and research;
The digital agenda;
Support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
The low-carbon economy.
The Cohesion Fund is aimed at Member States whose Gross National Income (GNI) per inhabitant is
less than 90 % of the EU average with the specific objective to reduce economic and social disparities
and to promote sustainable development. The Cohesion Fund supports investments under TransEuropean transport networks and Environment.
3. Context of the Call
Call 1, under Operational Programme I, is restricted to interventions undertaken by Ministries,
Government Departments, Central Government Authorities and the Public Sector Companies under
the following Priority Axes and Investment Priorities:
1. Priority Axis 3– ‘Enhancing Malta’s competitiveness through investment in SMEs’
-
Investment Priority (IP) 3d – Supporting the capacity of SMEs to grow in regional, national
and international markets, and to engage in innovation processes.
2. Priority Axis 4 – ‘Shifting towards a low-carbon economy’
-
Investment Priority (IP) 4a – Promoting the production and distribution of energy derived from
renewable sources.
3. Priority Axis 5 – ‘Protecting our environment - investing in natural and cultural assets’
-
Investment Priority (IP) 6c – Conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and
cultural heritage.
4. Priority Axis 11 – ‘ Investing in TEN-T infrastructure’
-
Investment Priority (IP) 7(i) – Supporting a multimodal Single European Transport Area by
investing in the TEN-T.
Only proposals which are able to demonstrate their contribution to the above Investment
Priorities are eligible to apply.
4
4. The Application Process
The Application Process together will be explained through the details guidelines which will be
uploaded by the Managing Authority at a later stage.
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All applications must be completed online using the link next to the listed call on
www.eufunds.gov.mt. This link will be provided by the Managing Authority at a later stage.
The link will open a window to Authenticate with the system. New Applicants need to
register by pressing the link Don't have an account? Register now in the login screen as
shown below:
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The system will require the following information for registration:
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Organisation Name
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Postal Address
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Post Code
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Phone Number
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Fax Number
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Email Address

VAT Number (if any)

Username

Password

Confirm Password
Upon registration the potential Applicant will receive an email in the indicated Applicant’s
email-address, in order to activate the registration, by clicking on the link provided in the
email body.
The potential Applicant authenticates with the credentials provided during the registration
process.
NOTE: Only the person who has proceeded with the registration as described above can
access the online application form. Thus, the Organization should be aware that who has
registered to SFD 2014-20 is representing the Entity.

All applications must be submitted to the Managing Authority online via Structural Fund
Database (SFD) 2014-2020 by 11th September 2015 at noon.
5

The deadline for submitting the application will not be amended to cater for last minute
contingencies, such as disruptions to the internet connection or to the electricity grid. In this
regard, it is advisable to:
-
Not wait for the last day to submit the application form;
‘Save’ your work every 15-20 minutes.
The IT system will not allow for any amendment after the formal submission.
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Saving work does not imply that the application is submitted. In order to submit the
application the potential Applicant needs to confirm the application. Once confirmed the
system will generate an acknowledgement email together with the application reference
number.
All applications must be completed in full and endorsed by the Project Leader, the Head of
the organization and the Permanent Secretary.
ONLY online applications correctly submitted will be taken into consideration for the
assessment.
Online proposals are individually assessed by the MA and selected by the Project Selection
Committee (PSC) through the IT system against a set of eligibility and selection criteria
which are approved by the Monitoring Committee for the European Social Fund that
oversees the implementation of the OP and that will be explained in the sections below.
5. General Test of Eligibility
a. Eligible Applicants
Ministries, Government Departments, Central Government Authorities and the Public Sector
Companies are eligible to apply subject to the approval of their respective Permanent Secretaries.
It should be noted that private individuals and undertakings (as per definition in Chapter 386, Article
2(1)3 as well as organisations having an economic/commercial nature are NOT the target groups of
this call for proposal.
b. Eligible Activities
Eligible activities should fit within the Investment Priorities under the selected Priority Axis and must
be in line with the scope of the relevant source of funds. Specifically:

Activities funded by ERDF shall contribute to the financing of support which aims to
reinforce economic, social and territorial cohesion by redressing the main regional
imbalances in the Union through the sustainable development and structural adjustment
of regional economies, including the conversion of declining industrial regions and
3
Companies Act Chapter 386 Article 2 (1): "undertaking" means a body corporate or unincorporate which carries on a trade or
business".
6
regions whose development is lagging behind4’, as per article 3 of ERDF Regulation
(1301/2013);

Activities funded by CF, while ensuring an appropriate balance and according to the
investment and infrastructure needs specific to each Member State, should support:
- investment in the environment, including areas related to sustainable
development and energy which present environmental benefits;
- TEN-T, in compliance with the guidelines adopted by Regulation (EU) No
5
1315/2013 .
It should be noted that this call is NOT open for project proposals involving State Aid.
Applicants should note that the involvement of state aid is not necessarily tied to the legal
status of the Applicant but to the nature of the activity. In accordance with Section 9 of these
Guidance Notes, Applicants should clear their position vis-à-vis state aid issues with the State
Aid Monitoring Board or with experts of their choice.
6. Project Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Projects correctly submitted online will be evaluated and ranked by a Project Selection Committee
according to a set of eligibility and selection criteria. These criteria have been approved by the
Monitoring Committee in line with Article 110 of the Common Provision Regulation 1303/2013.
These criteria aim at ensuring that the projects being selected fit into the intervention logic outlined
under the OPI and can concretely contribute to the achievements of the objectives and results of the
Programme.
The criteria are divided in two categories: Eligibility criteria and Selection criteria.
Eligibility criteria are the essential criteria that all projects must meet in order to be admissible for a
further qualitative assessment. Such eligibility criteria are normally assessed technically, and consist
of a gateway assessment which ensures that all applications reach a minimum standard. Projects
which do not comply with the gateway eligibility criteria will not proceed to full appraisal and scoring.
Selection criteria are designed to assess the fit and contribution of project proposals with the OP
strategy, its target groups and its objectives. These may be further refined in calls for project
proposals to include criteria which are specific to one type of activity, area or target group.
To be considered for funding or to be placed on the reserve list, a project must pass all the
Eligibility Criteria and must also obtain a minimum of 50% of the total marks allocated to the
Selection Criteria.
4
Article 2 of EU Regulation N.1301/2013 on the European Regional Development Fund and on specific provisions concerning
the Investment for growth and jobs goal and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006
5
Article 2 of the EU Regulation N.1300/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013
on the Cohesion Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1084/2006
7
The table below offers a snapshot of the eligibility and selection criteria approved under OPI
Eligibility Criteria
Assessment
Selection Criteria
Marks
Yes/No
Contribution towards indicators beyond
minimum required
10
Yes/No
Readiness
15
Yes/No
Project Sustainability
10
Yes/No
Capacity of the organisation
10
Yes/No
Contribution to the development needs
10
Yes/No
Potential of the project to contribute to
the achievement of the expected results
15
Yes/No
Horizontal priorities Environmental
Sustainability and Equal Opportunities
10
Complete Application
form
Project remit within
mandate of Beneficiary
Project leader from
beneficiary organisation
Project implemented
within the Eligible
Territory
Proof of co-financing
where applicable
Contribution towards
Investment Priorities
(IPs)
Proposal in line with the
relevant Specific
Objective and Expected
results of the IP
Contribution towards
one indicator
Yes/No
Other Horizontal Priorities and Climate
Change mitigation and adaptation
Quality of application form
10
10
6.1 Eligibility Criteria
The project must fulfill the following criteria to be eligible for further assessment:
a) Complete application form: The Applicant must present a complete Application Form, filled
in with all relevant details and documentation. No outline applications or incomplete
applications shall be considered. In addition, it is important for Applicants to ensure that all
sections of the Application Form are completed and all relevant supporting documents are
submitted.
b) Fits in with one of the Investment Priority: The project must fall within the scope of one of
the relevant Investment Priorities that are open for project proposals. The IPs which are
relevant under this Call are:
Priority Axis (PA)
PA 3
‘Priority Axis 3– ‘Enhancing
Malta’s competitiveness through
investment in SMEs’ (ERDF)
Investment Priority (IP)
→
IP 3d Supporting the capacity of SMEs to grow in regional, national
and international markets, and to engage in innovation processes.
8
Priority Axis (PA)
PA 4
‘Shifting towards a low-carbon
economy’ (ERDF)
Priority Axis (PA)
PA 5
‘‘Protecting our environment investing in natural and cultural
assets’ (ERDF)
Priority Axis (PA)
PA 11
Investing in TEN-T infrastructure’
Investment Priority (IP)
IP 4a – Promoting the production and distribution of energy derived
from renewable sources.
→
Investment Priority (IP)
IP 6c – Conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and
cultural heritage.
→
Investment Priority (IP)
IP 7(i) – Supporting a multimodal Single European Transport Area by
investing in the TEN-T.
→
c) Contribute towards specific objectives and expected results: The project must contribute
towards one specific objective related to the selected Investment Priority and must show
that it is capable of reaching the relevant expected result. In this regard, the Specific
Objectives and Expected Results which are relevant under this call are the following:
PA
3
PA
4
Investment Priority (IP)
IP 3d - Supporting the
capacity of SMEs to grow in
regional, national and
international markets, and to
engage in innovation
processes.
Investment Priority (IP)
IP 4a- Promoting the
production and distribution of
energy derived from
renewable sources
Specific Objective (SO)
→
→
Nurture the growth potential of
SMEs at a regional, national
and international level through
the provision of infrastructural ,
grants, financial instruments as
well as supporting services
Specific Objective (SO)
Promoting the use of RES
through financial incentives for
the domestic sector and
undertakings not carrying out
an economic activity
9
Expected Result (ER)
Physical infrastructure for
enterprises to consolidate
and grow
→
Increase in employment in
enterprises through
infrastructural investment,
financial instruments and
grants.
Expected Result (ER)
→
PV Connected Capacity
(MWp)
PA
5
PA
11
Investment Priority (IP)
IP 6c- Conserving,
protecting, promoting and
developing natural and
cultural heritage.
→
Investment Priority (IP)
IP 7i- Supporting a
multimodal Single European
Transport Area by investing
in the TEN-T
→
Specific Objective (SO)
Improve the Maltese
competitiveness standing
within the tourism sector
through the promotion,
protection and preservation of
natural/cultural/ historical
assets in the public domain
intended to improve the
Maltese cultural tourism
experience whilst maintaining
increased tourist flows.
Specific Objective (SO)
Investment in (TEN-T) both
land transport and maritime
with a view to reduce journey
time , including the facilitation
of movement of goods. This
investment priority will also
include investment in customs
infrastructures to improve
efficiency and safety in cross
border transactions.
Expected Result (ER)
→
Maintain, consolidate and
further develop Malta's
natural, cultural and
historical heritage to
improve Malta's tourism
product.
Expected Result (ER)
Increase reduction in
journey time
→
Improve the efficiency in
customs through the
reduction of bottlenecks at
cross border links
The Applicant must ensure that the proposal will concretely contribute to the relevant SO and
ER as highlighted above.
For example, should the project address IP 6c, as it will invest in the promotion of a natural
site, the Applicant must ensure that the project will improve the Maltese competitiveness
standing within the tourism sector. In addition, the Applicant must ensure that the project
is concretely contributing to the expected result ‘Maintain, consolidate and further develop
Malta's natural, cultural and historical heritage to improve Malta's tourism product’.
d) Contribute towards indicators: The project must have clearly identifiable and measurable
targets that comply with at least one of the indicators set in the relevant Priority Axis /
Investment Priority of the Programme (output or result indicator) The Applicant must ensure
that the project will contribute to one of the indicators which are relevant in relation to the
selected Expected Result as per table below:
10
Priority axis 3
Investment Priority 3d
Expected Result: 'Physical infrastructure for enterprises to consolidate and grow’
Target
Output Indicator
O1. Number of enterprises
receiving support
O2. Number of enterprises
receiving grants (Common
Indicator)
O3. Number of enterprises
receiving financial support other
than grants (Common Indicator)
Malta
___
Gozo
___
Total
___
___
___
___
R1. Private Sector
Investment
___
Target
Result Indicator
___
Malta
Gozo
Total
___
___
___
___
Priority axis 3
Investment Priority 3d
Expected Result: ' Increase in employment in enterprises through infrastructural investment,
financial instruments and grants’
Target
Output Indicator
O1. Number of enterprises receiving
non-financial support
O2. Employment increase in
supported enterprises
O3. Private investment matching
public funds
Target
Result Indicator
Malta
___
Gozo
___
Total
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
R1. Value Added
of SME
Malta
Gozo
Total
___
___
___
Priority axis 4
Investment Priority 4a
Expected Result: PV Connected Capacity (MWp)
Target
Output Indicator
O1. Additional capacity of
renewable energy
production
O2. Estimated annual
decrease in GHG
Malta
Gozo
Total
___
___
___
___
___
Target
Result Indicator
___
11
R1. PV Connected
Capacity(MWp)
Malta
Gozo
Total
___
___
___
Priority axis 5
Investment Priority 6c
Expected Result: Maintain, consolidate and further develop Malta's natural, cultural and historical
heritage to improve Malta's tourism product.
Target
Output Indicator
O1. Increase in
expected number of
visits to supported sites
of cultural or natural
heritage and attractions
O2.
Rehabilitated/Preserved
Land
Malta
Gozo
Total
___
___
___
___
___
___
Target
Result Indicator
Malta
Gozo
Total
R1. Overall Rating of the
Maltese Experience
___
___
___
R.2 Tourists visiting Malta for
history, cultural and natural
heritage
___
___
___
Priority axis 11
Investment Priority 7i
Expected Result: Increase reduction in journey time
Target
Output Indicator
O1. Total length of
reconstructed or
upgraded roads: of
which TEN-T
Target
Result Indicator
Malta
Gozo
Total
___
___
___
R1. Journey time in minutes(
per 10 minute journey)
Malta
Gozo
Total
___
___
___
Priority axis 11
Investment Priority 7i
Expected Result: Improve the efficiency in customs through the reduction of bottlenecks at cross
border links
Target
Output Indicator
O1. Square metres in
new/upgraded in port
infrastructure
O2. Measures aimed to
improve customs operations
Malta
Gozo
Total
___
___
___
___
___
Target
Result Indicator
___
12
R1. Physical Controls at
Customs
Malta
Gozo
Total
___
___
___
In this regard, if the project aims at addressing PA 5, IP 6c, and at contributing to the expected result
‘maintain, consolidate and further develop Malta's natural, cultural and historical heritage to improve
Malta's tourism product, it should contribute towards at least one of the following indicators:
-
O1. Increase in expected number of visits to supported sites of cultural or natural heritage and
attractions. This output indicator is linked to the result indicator R1. Overall Rating of the
Maltese Experience; and/or
-
O1. Rehabilitated/Preserved Land. This output indicator is linked to the result indicator R1.
Tourists visiting Malta for history, cultural and natural heritage.
e) Project remit within the mandate of the Beneficiary: Applicants must be publicly mandated
to carry out the task of the project. For example, in Malta, the upgrading of TEN-T road
infrastructure lies within the remit of the Roads and Infrastructure Directorate, within Transport
Malta. Consequently, any other agency applying for funds to upgrade a TEN-T road will not
be considered as an eligible Applicant, unless such agency provides a clear justification as to
why they will be intervening in this context, and after obtaining the endorsement of this
justification by the mandated agency, in this case Transport Malta;
f)
Project Leader from Beneficiary Organisation: The project leader carries the overall
financial and legal responsibility for the implementation of the project on behalf of the
Beneficiary and hence, his/her direct association with the Beneficiary organization is
fundamental, especially to ensure that the grant will exclusively be used for the purpose
stipulated in the project proposal.
g) Proof of Co-financing (where applicable) In cases where Government is not co-financing
the project from the national budget, Applicants must submit, together with the application
form,:
1. A set of signed audited accounts of the last two financial years;
2. A joint declaration by the Mayor, Executive/Head and Treasury/Financial Controller of the
organisation, stating that the organisation commits to its cofinancing obligations and to the
financing of any ineligible costs.
3. In the case of Local Councils, the declaration under point 2 must be supported by a
statement from the Director of Local Government, confirming that co-financing is
available/likely to be met, citing also the basis for such confirmation; and
4. In the case of Local Councils, where it is clear that the audited accounts do not provide
evidence of availability of sufficient liquidity (cash or cash equivalent) to cover the cofinancing and ineligible costs, other sources of assurances, such as a bank guarantee 6
should be presented.
It is important to note that co-financing in kind is NOT eligible.
6
All guarantees (including bank guarantees) should be clear and unequivocal that the co-financing will be provided should the
project be selected.
13
h) Project must be implemented within / for the direct benefit of the eligible territory: The
eligible territory for the Operational Programme is the whole territory of the Republic of Malta.
In cases of publicity / training abroad/marketing, actions may be aired or distributed outside
the territory if the benefit clearly targets the eligible territory.
Once the projects have passed the eligibility test, they will proceed with a project scoring system
based on a number of selection criteria.
6.2 Selection Criteria
a) Contribution to the development needs: The Applicant should demonstrate that the
proposed project is adequately addressing the relevant development needs as identified in the
OP. The Applicant should provide a clear description of how the intended project will do so by
means of an analysis of the current situation, thus outlining why there is a need for such a
project to be implemented. In this regard, marks will be assigned on how the project will make
a difference vis-a-vis the relevant OPI development need. The relevant development needs
under this call are the following:
Priority axis 3
Investment
Priority
IP 3d
Specific Objective
Development Need
Nurture the growth potential of SMEs at a
regional, national and international level
through the provision of infrastructural ,
grants, financial instruments as well as
supporting services
→
Need to enable SMEs to have
improved access to finance to
grow and develop
→
Lack of adequate physical
infrastructure for enterprises to
consolidate and grow.
Priority axis 4
Investment
Priority
Specific Objective
IP 4a
Promoting the use of RES through
financial incentives for the domestic sector
and undertakings not carrying out an
economic activity
Development Need
→
Involve every sector of the
economy to contribute towards low
carbon
Priority axis 5
Investment
Priority
Specific Objective
IP 6c
Improve the Maltese competitiveness
standing within the tourism sector through
the promotion, protection and preservation
of natural/cultural/ historical assets in the
public domain intended to improve the
Maltese cultural tourism experience whilst
maintaining increased tourist flows.
Development Need
14
→
Valorise natural/cultural/historical
assets for tourism purposes
→
Need to improve the accessibility
of natural, cultural and historical
sites
Priority axis 11
Investment
Priority
Specific Objective
IP 7i
Investment in (TEN-T) both land transport
and maritime with a view to reduce journey
time , including the facilitation of movement
of goods. This investment priority will also
include investment in customs
infrastructures to improve efficiency and
safety in cross border transactions.
Development Need
→
→
Need to reduce bottlenecks on
the TEN-T networks (roads and
maritime).
Need to continue investment in
cross border safety and security
For example, if the project is addressing PA 5, IP 6c, and contributing towards the
achievement of the specific objective to Improve the Maltese competitiveness standing within
the tourism sector through the promotion, protection and preservation of natural/cultural/
historical assets in the public domain intended to improve the Maltese cultural tourism
experience whilst maintaining increased tourist flows, the Applicant should ensure that the
investment will address one of the two relevant development needs, i.e. Valorise
natural/cultural/historical assets for tourism purposes and/or Need to improve the accessibility
of natural, cultural and historical sites. In this context, the Applicant should explain why there is
a need for such a project to be implemented.
b) Potential of the project to contribute to the achievement of the expected results:
Investments funded through ESI Funds need to be result-oriented - rather than only focusing
on the financial means - to ensure that the cohesion policy will significantly contribute to the
reduction in economic and social inequalities between Member States and to achieve the
strategic Europe 2020 goals. Having identified needs and a desired result does not yet mean
that the operation will fully achieve the objectives. Different factors can drive the intended
result towards or away from the desired change.
Thus, the Applicant should demonstrate that the proposal will fully achieve the desired results
and objectives. In this regard, different factors will be assessed, such as: the degree of
originality and innovative solutions proposed; the benefits of the investment beyond the
project’s lifecycle; coherence between the value of the investment and the project’s duration
with the proposed expected results. In addition, when the ex-ante conditionality applies, the
proposal’s alignment with existent national strategy, both in terms of objectives and in terms of
implementation7, will be assessed.
c) Further contribution towards indicators:
The project should demonstrate a clear
contribution to the relevant indicators (output/result) as outlined in the section above. In this
regard, the Applicant should ensure that the selected indicators are properly quantified so as
to make credible the envisaged target; show that a good method of verification and audit trail
is in place and that, especially when it comes to indicators addressing the performance
framework as highlighted below, the achievements are realistically planned to be achieved
before 2018.
7
When the ex-ante conditionality applies the project should show how the planned work fits in with the national strategy/policy.
The project proposal must identify the name of the strategy, as well as the relative extract of the strategy that relates to the
project being proposed
15
Under this call, the indicators which will contribute to the performance framework are the following:
PA
3
4
5
IP
3d
4a
6c
Output Indicator
Number of enterprises receiving support
Additional capacity of renewable energy production
Increase in expected number of visits to supported sites of cultural or
natural heritage and attractions
Rehabilitated/Preserved Land
11
7i
Total length of reconstructed or upgraded roads: of which TEN-T of which:
TEN-T
The Applicant should provide a clear explanation of how the targets for ‘outputs,’ and ‘results’ have
been calculated and the method of measurement that will be used as well as the year of
achievements. The Applicant should provide a short action plan as to corroborate the indicated date
for when the achievements will be registered and verified.
d) Project Sustainability: Projects need to demonstrate their sustainability after completion.
The project proponent must show how the benefits of the project will continue to be delivered
after grant support comes to an end. The Applicants should thus ensure that the longer-term
economic sustainability of the project is taken into account and appropriate measures are put
in place.
e) Readiness: Marks will be awarded for projects that are in an advanced state of readiness,
e.g. where Applicants have already prepared the tender dossier or launched the tender. In
cases where a feasibility study is required, marks will be given if this has been finalised or is
under implementation at the time of submission. The more advanced the project, the more
marks will be awarded. Evidence of such readiness should be provided.
f)
Capacity of the Organisation: The capacity to implement the project is part of the
commitment of the Applicant towards the project. Projects cannot depend on external
expertise or contracted managers. Capacity is assessed both in terms of adequate human
resources, as well as previous positive experience in the implementation of EU projects,
Structural Funds or similar. In fact, organisations that have had previous (positive) experience
in implementing Structural Fund projects (or similar) will be given additional marks.
Organisations must present an organigram of the units that will be involved in the
implementation of the project, especially in the day-to-day management and also state how
the project will be operated and maintained. Furthermore, the Legal Act on which the entity is
constituted may be requested by the PSC.
g) Quality of the Application Form: Marks will be awarded for exceptional quality, e.g. where
market research was carried out to prepare a budget breakdown, as well as for adequate
description of the main activities, and consistency. It should be noted that hastily prepared
applications are likely to be referred back or will fail to gain a positive recommendation during
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the appraisal process. Contact persons are provided for certain sections of the applications. It
is the responsibility of the Applicant to seek advice from the experts (those identified or others
of the Applicant’s choice) to ensure the full comprehension of certain concepts, terminology
and processes.
h) Horizontal Priorities: Marks will be awarded to Applicants who make an effort to integrate
effectively the horizontal priorities into the project. Low or no points will be awarded for run of
the mill statements.
In this regard, it becomes crucial for Applicants to seek guidance from NCPE and
MSDEC at design stage. Sustainable development and Promotion of equality between men
and women and non-discrimination are identified in the Common Provisions Regulation
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 as horizontal principles that should be incorporated into
Cohesion Policy Programmes.
In terms of Equal Opportunities, projects must contribute to the attainment of the horizontal
priority of Equal Opportunities in its broadest sense, including the promotion of:
-
Equality;
Non discrimination; and
Accessibility
The Applicant should give details of how this horizontal theme has been taken into account in
the development of the project and/or how it will be mainstreamed throughout the lifespan of
the supported activity, and indicate the impact that the project will have on the horizontal
theme. Other considerations include the consultations that were carried out with equality
groups in developing the project proposal. The Beneficiary must show how this policy is being
translated into action.
Projects must also contribute to the attainment of sustainable development. Sustainable
development covers:
-
Economic growth,
Social cohesion and
The protection of the environment
Considering the environmental impact of the investments financed under OPI, the protection of
the environment will be assessed under the selection criterion ‘Other Horizontal Priorities’ as it
will be explained below.
In order to assess the economic and social impacts of the projects, the Applicants must make
a specific reference to the ‘Sustainable Development Strategy for the Maltese Islands 20072016’ and to the ‘Sustainable Development Act’ while explaining how the project fits into this
strategies.
i)
Other Horizontal Priorities and Climate Change mitigation and adaptation - Applicants
are required to demonstrate that they have considered environmental issues at all stages of
the design of the project, where possible. The Applicants must also demonstrate how the
project has been structured to ensure that environmental issues will be mainstreamed
throughout the project’s aims and operation. In particular, the project will be assessed in
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terms of its contribution towards the reduction of GHG emissions; the use of renewable
energy sources; energy efficiency; water reuse/treatment; any other climate change mitigation
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and adaptation measure .
7. Support
The Managing Authority will publish a detailed guidance document explaining step by step the online
application process.
The Applicant is to note that in view of the fact that this is a competitive call, and in order to preserve
impartiality, the MA is unable to enter into correspondence with applicants over their Application.
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Applicants should ensure that the project is in line with the National which can be
https://www.gov.mt/en/Government/Publications/Documents/MSDEC/National%20Adaptation%20Strategy.pdf
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found
in