Practical Information and
Guidance to Applicants
Green Industry Innovation Programme Bulgaria
Official Launch,
Sofia, 4th December 2012
Ms. Anne Lise Rognlidalen,
Country Director Bulgaria and Romania,
Innovation Norway
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Agenda outline
Programme web-site
Bilateral relations and partnership projects
Roles and responsibilities
Essential reading and important issues
Project assessment and methodology
Application Portal and Application Form
The Project Contract
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
www.norwaygrants-greeninnovation.no
Main information channel
One general «landing» page:
Information about the programme area green
industry innovation, bilateral relations and
other common issues
Select the specific page for Green Industry
Innovation Bulgaria
All relevant information and programme
documents
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Bilateral relations/partnership projects
Donor partnership projects mandatory
Bulgarian applicant – Norwegian partner
Development of green projects in Bulgaria
Joint projects – Plan and implement the project
together - Shared results
Long-term cooperation, beyond project lifetime
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Roles and responsibilities
Project Promoter (applicant) fully responsible
towards Innovation Norway
Project Partners responsible to fullfil their
tasks towards Project Promoter
(Partnership Agreement)
The National Focal Point – no formal
responsibility (consultation/advice/coordination)
Innovation Norway – fund manager – overall
responsible towards the donor (financier)
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Essential reading and important issues
Individual Project (main)
Rules and Procedures
Standard Terms and
Conditions
State Aid Regulations
Assessment criteria and
methodology
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Eligibility criteria-promoters and partners
Applicant – legal entity in Bulgaria
Partner – legal entity in Norway
Independent entities (no legal bindings)
In operation for at least one fiscal year
Clean criminal and tax records
Documentation of project co-financing
Signed Partnership Agreement
Applicant/Partners main activities closely
related to the area for which the application is
made
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Eligibility criteria - for project
Relevant for the programme area
No overlapping or double funding
Contribute to:
- overall objectives of Norway Grants
- objectives of Green Industry Innovation Progr.
- expected programme outcome for Bulgaria
Compliance with EU and Bulgarian legislation
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Eligibility criteria – expenses
In line with the state aid provisions
Costs that can be capitalised in the balance sheet
of the company are eligible for state aid
Depend on type of project and activities
Case by case basis
From approval of project until 30 April 2016
Normally only purchase of new equipment eligible
Max 25% of project costs can be buildings/land
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Project co-financing and Disbursement
Advance payment: 10-20% of approved grant
Reimbursement of accrued expenses
Interim Reporting/payment claims
Pro-rata co-financing during project
implementation
Currency: Euro
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
State Aid Regulations
EU Competition - State Aid overview
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/state_aid/overview/index_en.html
Ministry of Finance, State Aid Department
http://stateaid.minfin.bg/
Main principle in EU/EEA: state subsidies shall
not distort competition, but ….
General Block Exemption Regulations
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/state_aid/legislation/block.html
The risk of receiving state aid in contradiction with the
legal framework lies on the beneficiary
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Public Procurement Regulations
EU and Bulgarian legislation on public
procurement shall be complied with at any level
in the project implementation
All relevant information on: http://www.aop.bg
If 50 per cent or more as public project funding
Promoter conduct procurement as contracting authority
Smaller procurement
according to good economic practises
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Assessment of project applications
Organised by Innovation Norway
Internal and external experts
Consult with National Focal Point
and Bulgarian line ministries
Private sector partnership
projects will be prioritised
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
A special vocabulary
Expected OUTCOME of the project:
the likely intermediate effect on target group
or systems
OUTPUT:
project deliverables (products, goods, services)
INDICATORS: How do we verify success?
A tool to verify whether or not the project is achieving
its expected outcome and outputs
Environmental performance (quantitative/qualitative)
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
15 general assessment criteria
HR, technical-/financial capacity
Maturity of projects
Proof of project co-financing
Risk analysis and mitigation plans
Quality of bilateral partnership
Contribute to programme objective and outcome
CSR and cross-cutting issues
Releasing effect, socio-economic impact
Duration of project/value for money
Publicity plan
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Additional assessement criteria for
private sector projects
Project profitability
Financial reports (certified accounts)
Business model, project scope
Innovation level
Intellectual Property Rights status
Market potential
Competitiveness
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Assessment methodology
For general criteria: Scoring 1-6 points
Additional criteria for private sector:
Scoring profile - each criteria may be a critical success
factor that could jeopardise the whole project
Cooperation Expert Committee – advisory
Reasoned opinions from National Focal Point
Final decision by Innovation Norway
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Electronic Application
Form
Available at the website
www.norwaygrants-greeninnovation.no
All mandatory attachments
and supporting documents
to be submitted in
electronic versions only
Application Portal
Application Portal
Application Portal
Application Portal
Foto Erik Jørgensen
Application Portal
Foto Erik Jørgensen
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
The Project Contract
Grant Offer Letter
Standard Terms and
Conditions
Detailed activity budget
Project Implementation Plan
Disbursement Plan
Green Industry Innovation Programme
Bulgaria
Thank you for your patience
Blagodarya
Good luck with project preparations
and applications
Questions to: bulgaria@norwaygrants-greeninnovation.no