Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
The Grant Application
Understanding the Form & Guidelines,
and avoiding common mistakes
Regional Training on 'Development & Management of EU-funded Projects', Istanbul March 2010
This project is funded
by the European Union
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
Be clear about the roles of the different
stakeholders and the EU terminology:
•
•
•
•
•
Contracting Authority
– Centralised Management
– Decentralised Management
( EC or EUD / CFCU)
Beneficiary Institutions
Grant Beneficiary
Target Group
Final Beneficiary
Regional Training on 'Development & Management of EU-funded Projects', Istanbul March 2010
This project is funded
by the European Union
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
This project is funded
by the European Union
Some Basic Key Rules
Non-cumulation:
No single beneficiary may
receive more than one
grant financed by the
European Community or
EDF for a given action
Non-retroactivity:
Grants may, as a rule, only
cover costs incurred after
the date on which the
grant contract is signed
Non-profit:
Grants may not have the
purpose or effect of
producing a profit for the
beneficiary
Co-financing:
Grants may not as a rule
finance the entire cost
of the action
Regional Training on 'Development & Management of EU-funded Projects', Istanbul March 2010
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
This project is funded
by the European Union
Eligibility
• The applicant organisation and partner(s)
• Direct and indirect costs
• Actions (and where and when they take place)
Regional Training on 'Development & Management of EU-funded Projects', Istanbul March 2010
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
This project is funded
by the European Union
Verifying Applicant Eligibility
The Application Form asks
for information and
declaration about your
organisation’s:
• Legal status
• Nationality
• Function/type
• Sector/Experience
• Resources
• Governance
This information is either
verified after evaluation
of the application (but
before contracting)
Or
Prior to application via the
online PADOR system
Regional Training on 'Development & Management of EU-funded Projects', Istanbul March 2010
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
Regional Training on 'Development &
Management of EU-funded Projects',
Istanbul March 2010
This project is funded
by the European Union
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
This project is funded
by the European Union
Beware:
for Calls for Proposals where partnership is
obligatory and so is the use of PADOR, your
partner(s) MUST also pre-register through the
PADOR system
Regional Training on 'Development & Management of EU-funded Projects', Istanbul March 2010
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
This project is funded
by the European Union
Costs
• Remember, the budget represents realistic cost
estimates, broken down by units (no lump
sums!), and a ceiling for eligible costs
• Co-financing is calculated as a % of the total, not
specific costs
• In-kind contributions cannot usually be
monetized and therefore are not ‘costs’
• Indirect costs – 7% to cover overheads
• Incorporate a ‘contingency reserve’ if allowed
Regional Training on 'Development & Management of EU-funded Projects', Istanbul March 2010
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
This project is funded
by the European Union
Common Application Errors
• Incomplete forms and/or
missing annexes – NGOs are
not bureaucracies, but
attention to detail and
record-keeping is essential
• Project description does not
follow logframe
• Poor budgeting – not the
end of the world, but you
will lose evaluation points
• Not in-line with overall
objectives – the action must
clearly make a contribution
• ‘3 halves don’t make a
whole’ – ensure there is
close cooperation amongst
the team
• Lack of ownership – you
may be awarded a grant,
but then lose it through
poor implementation
Regional Training on 'Development & Management of EU-funded Projects', Istanbul March 2010
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
This project is funded
by the European Union
Grant Application Evaluation & Selection
Step 1: Opening Session and Administrative Check
(Step 2: Evaluation of the Concept Note)
Step 3: Evaluation of the Application Form
Step 4: Eligibility of the Applicant and Partners
Provisional Selection
Regional Training on 'Development & Management of EU-funded Projects', Istanbul March 2010
Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Regional Office
This project is funded
by the European Union
You’ve been awarded your grant, so all you have
to do now is implement the project.....
Regional Training on 'Development & Management of EU-funded Projects', Istanbul March 2010