GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR
INVESTMENTS & DEVELOPMENT
EUROPEAN TERRITORIAL COOPERATION PROGRAMME
GREECE – ITALY 2007-2013
PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA
European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Project Selection Criteria
The following Project Selection Criteria are proposed for the Calls for proposals that
will be published in the framework of the European Territorial Cooperation Programme
“Greece – Italy” 2007-2013.
Potential beneficiaries prepare a proposal in cooperation with the Lead Partner who
submits the proposal to the Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS). After submission, each
application will be subject to a two-phase selection procedure, carried out by the Joint
Technical Secretariat, based on the selection criteria described below. In order to
carry out the evaluation procedure, the JTS may be assisted by external experts. The
procedure, as well as the criteria for the selection of these experts will be mutually
agreed by the participating countries and will be approved by the Monitoring
Committee.
1st phase: Projects will be checked against their administrative compliance and
eligibility criteria, in order to ensure that they fulfill the administrative and technical
requirements of the Programme. This is an on-off procedure. Projects which fail to
fulfill the technical requirements of the Programme will be excluded from the 2nd
phase and the Lead Partner will be informed in writing.
2nd phase: Only projects that demonstrate administrative compliance and satisfy the
eligibility criteria will be subject to quality assessment. The quality assessment is
based on a scoring system and results in a ranked list of all the applications that have
passed the 1st phase. It will be carried out by the JTS. The JTS may be assisted by
external experts during the project evaluation.
The JTS will examine three different sets of criteria, in order to make a decision on the
project’s approval. Namely:
1st phase analysis
Projects will be checked against two sets of criteria, in order to ensure that they fulfill
the administrative and technical requirements of the Programme.

Administrative compliance: It confirms that a proposal has been submitted
within the deadline set; the Application Form has the official form specified by the
Managing Authority, is complete and meets all the requirements set in the
respective Call;

Eligibility criteria: These criteria examine whether the proposal fulfils the
minimum requirements for being eligible for funding by the Programme. These
requirements are, for instance, the structure of the cross-border partnership, the
general compatibility with the Programme objectives and principles, the co-
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Project Selection Criteria
financing requested, etc. Proposals which do not fulfill the eligibility criteria are
rejected. Additional information is requested from applicants only in the case of
permitted errors agreed between the two countries and approved by the
Monitoring Committee.
2nd phase analysis
Quality of the project: The quality assessment will only apply to projects that have
successfully gone through the 1st phase. During this phase, proposals are evaluated
using core selection criteria. These entail evaluating the nature of the proposed
operation, its relevance with and contribution to the Operational Programme’s overall
objectives, its timeframe, viability and results in the eligible territory, the quality of
the cross-border partnership as well as the monitoring, management and evaluation
methodology proposed.
The Core selection criteria are divided into:

General Content-related criteria (relevance of the proposal, quality of results/
sustainability, innovation) ,

Specific Content-related criteria (assessment of the project proposal against
the criteria specified in individual axes).

Implementation-related criteria (quality of the partnership, quality of
management, quality of the methodological approach, budget and finance).
The different sets of criteria are presented below:
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Project Selection Criteria
1st phase
1. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLIANCE (YES/ NO)
a) The application was submitted in due time.
YES 
NO
b) The application was submitted in the required formats
YES 
NO
c) The application form used has the official form specified by the Managing Authority,
YES 
NO
YES 
NO
is properly filled in, stamped and signed
d) requested documents are attached
i) the Co-financing Statement,
YES 
NO
ii) the Partnership Declaration, signed by all partners
YES 
NO
iii) declaration of non double financing by each Partner
YES 
NO
iv) declaration of not generating revenues
YES 
NO
in case of revenue generating projects attachment of cost-benefit analysis YES 
NO
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Project Selection Criteria
2. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (YES/ NO)
a) The project proposal is in line with relevant EU legislation and policies
YES 
NO
b) The proposed activities and the project objectives are clear and in-line with the Programme’s priorities
YES 
NO
c) The proposed activities of the project are of a cross-border character in accordance with article 19 of Regulation (EC)1080/2006:
i) the project includes partners from both countries:
YES 
NO
ii) the project partners cooperate in at least two of the following ways:
YES 
NO
Joint development
YES 
NO
Joint Implementation
YES 
NO
Joint Staffing
YES 
NO
Joint financing
YES 
NO
d) The Lead Partner and its partners fall under the eligible categories of beneficiaries
according to the call for proposals
e) The Lead Partner and its partners are located in the Programme area as
analyzed in the Programme Manual
f) The project budget and costs are in line with the Call for proposals
YES 
NO 
YES 
YES 
NO 
NO 
g) Duration of projects are in line with the time frame set out in the call for proposals
YES 
NO
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Project Selection Criteria
2nd phase
PROJECT QUALITY
General Content-related criteria
Criteria
Relevance of the
proposal
Sub-criteria
Analysis
a) Are the objectives and expected results of the project
addressing specific problems, issues, opportunities of the
area?
Analytical and precise analysis based
on a strategic analysis (5 points)
Very good reference (4 points)
Good reference (3 points)
Basic reference (2 points)
Minimum reference (1 points)
b) Does the project take into account one or more horizontal
issues of the Programme (sustainable development, positive
environmental impact, equal opportunities and non
discrimination, fair competition)?
All four issues (4 points)
3 out of four issues (3 points)
2 out of four issues (2 points)
1 out of four issues (1 point)
c) To which extent are there synergies or complementarities
with other implemented interventions and /or policies at the
European, national, regional or local level within this
particular thematic area?
At
At
At
At
Score
all four levels (4 points)
3 out of four levels (3 points)
2 out of four levels (2 points)
1 out of four levels (1 points)
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Criteria
Quality of results/
Sustainability
Project Selection Criteria
Sub-criteria
Analysis
a) Are the results specific, measurable, achievable, realistictime based?
All four characteristics (4 points)
3 out of four characteristics (3 points)
2 out of four characteristics (2 points)
1 out of four characteristics (1 point)
1-4 points
b) To what extent does the project capitalize previous crossborder cooperation experiences
1-5 points
(Capitalisation of partnerships, outputs,
experiences etc.)
c) To what extent do the project results provide value added
for the Programme area?
Score
1-6 points
(degree of continuation-improvement of
existing outputs, structures, products, transfer
of outputs, knowhow experience, usability of
results in other sectors, by other stakeholders
etc)
d) Does the project have the concrete and realistic possibility
to have a follow up and/ or to be sustainable after the end of
the Programme contribution?
Secure funding and commitment of
stakeholders (5 points)
Commitment of stakeholders (4 points)
Initiatives by stakeholders (3 points)
Basic planning (2 points)
Minimum previsions (1 point)
e) Is the project's strategy for communication and
dissemination of results well structured and efficient?
Full Communication strategy existing (4 points)
Well developed communication activities (3
points)
Basic communication activities indicated (2
points)
Poor communication activities indicated (1
point)
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Innovation
Project Selection Criteria
a) To what extent does the project clearly demonstrate
innovative character?
Application of innovative results of the project
(5 points)
Development of new innovative methods,
products, tools (3 points)
Use of new methods, products, tools for the
implementation of the project (2 points)
Basic innovation references (1 points)
No innovative features (0 point)
Maximum total score: 42 points
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Project Selection Criteria
Specific Content-related criteria for AXIS 1 (As a project is submitted under a specific axis only one of the three specific content
related criteria is filled in).
Criteria
Sub-criteria
Interaction
between
research/innovation
institutes and end
users
a) Does the project contribute in strengthening inter-action
between research/innovation institutions, SMEs and public
authorities:
- The competitiveness of the cross-border SMEs is
supported through systemic cooperation between SMEs
and research centres/universities and public authorities
concerned
- The research/innovation project is focused on sectors
which have a clear competitive advantage
- The actions supported have a clear impact on the
internationalisation of the SMEs
- The research/innovation activities supported have an
objective effect on/and link with SMEs
b) Promoting cross-border advanced new technologies
- The intervention contributes to improve quality and
increase quantity in use of ICTs in business
- The intervention supports a significant introduction of
environmentally friendly solutions (products or
processes) in SMEs
- The intervention contributes with strong effect and direct
impact to employ youngsters and women
- The intervention supports the move of SMEs towards ecommerce
Advanced New
Technologies
Analysis
Score
All four issues (10 points)
3 out of four issues (7 points)
2 out of four issues (4 points)
1 out of four issues (2 point)
All four issues (10 points)
3 out of four issues (7 points)
2 out of four issues (4 points)
1 out of four issues (2 point)
Maximum total score: 20 points
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Project Selection Criteria
Specific Content-related criteria for AXIS 2
Criteria
Cross-border
integrated
sustainable
connections
Sub-criteria
a) Enhancement of the cross-border integrated and
sustainable connections:
- An application of intelligent transport systems is
implemented by the project
- The project introduces/increases the use of renewable
energies in transport
- The intervention supports the development and
implementation of joint and realistic strategies in crossborder intermodal transport system
- The project enhances the cross-border transport
management systems through ICT
Improvement of
b) Improvement of transport, information and
networks and
communication networks and services:
services
- The intervention entails actions for the modernisation of
control and security systems
- The project contributes directly to reduce environmental
transport related risks
- The project introduces information networks and digital
products which increase the attractiveness of the area
- The project contributes to documented emissions
reduction
Maximum total score: 20 points
Analysis
Score
All four issues (10 points)
3 out of four issues (7 points)
2 out of four issues (4 points)
1 out of four issues (2 point)
All four issues (10 points)
3 out of four issues (7 points)
2 out of four issues (4 points)
1 out of four issues (2 point)
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Project Selection Criteria
Specific Content-related criteria for AXIS 3
Criteria
Cultural, natural
heritage
Sub-criteria
a) Promotion of cultural and natural heritage:
- The project supports the organisation of joint events in the
field of tourism, culture, and natural heritage promotion to
increase the attractiveness of the area
- The project increases the quality and competitiveness of
tourist services offered in the area
- The project creates joint bodies for inter-culturalism,
promotion and marketing of cultural and natural sites
Natural resources
b) Valorisation & improvement of joint protection,
management of natural resources, natural and
technological risks’ prevention:
- The project leads to joint management and efficient use of
natural environmental and water resources
- The project supports integrated systems against natural
and technological disasters
- The project demonstrates in a clear and justified way the
relationship between project outcomes and the number of
benefiting people
Health, social
c) Protection of health and promotion of social integration:
integration
- The project develops innovative health and social services
by using user-friendly technologies
- The project improves the health and social services offered
in the cross-border area
- The project allows exchange of best practises in the
management and administration systems of health and
social sectors
- The project contributes to the development and/or sharing
of protocols related to health and social integration issues
Maximum total score: 20 points
Analysis
Score
All three issues (6 points)
2 out of three issues (2 points)
1 out of three issues (1 point)
All three issues (6 points)
2 out of three issues (2 points)
1 out of three issues (1 point)
All four issues (8 points)
3 out of four issues (7 points)
2 out of four issues (4 points)
1 out of four issues (2 point)
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Project Selection Criteria
Implementation-related criteria
Criteria
Quality of the
partnership
(appropriate
synthesis and
organizational
arrangements)
Quality of
management
Quality of the
methodological
Sub-criteria
Analysis
a) To what extent does the Lead Partner demonstrate the
capacity to coordinate, manage, control and monitor the
overall implementation of the project?
High (5 points)
Very good (4 points)
Adequate (3 points)
Basic (2 points)
Low (1 points)
b) Is the professional capacity (structure and experience) of
the partners sufficient to implement the project activities
undertaken successfully?
High (5 points)
Very good (4 points)
Adequate (3 points)
Basic (2 points)
Low (1 points)
a) To what extent is an appropriate project management
methodology clearly demonstrated?
Score
Very well developed methodology connected
to outputs and results (4 points)
Well developed methodology (3 points)
Basic Management procedures described (2
points)
Minimum references (1 point)
b) To what extent are the specific roles (actions and
responsibilities) clearly and appropriately distributed among
the Lead Partner and the partners?
Clear and specific roles, distributed to the
partners in relation to their capacity (4 points)
General distribution of tasks without specific
references (2 points)
Not clear enough distribution of
responsibilities and tasks (1 point)
a) To what extent is there coherence among the identified
project objectives, expected outputs and results and the
How clear, realistic and appropriate is the
work plan of activities in order to achieve the
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
approach
concerning the
content of the
project
Budget and finance
Project Selection Criteria
activities to achieve them?
expected results and the objectives of the
project within the specific Axis?
(Minimum to maximum, 1-5 points)
b) How mature is the project (in which stage of completion
are the administrative procedures that allow the realization
of the project?)
All necessary administrative procedures
completed- no administrative procedures
necessary (5 points)
Advanced stage of realization of
administrative procedures- light
administrative procedures required (3 points)
Medium realization of administrative
procedures (2 points)
Low – non realization of administrative
procedures. (1 points)
1-5 points
(Distribution of the budget secures the active
participation of each partner in relation to the
activities described in the Application Form
and secures the successful implementation of
the foreseen activities)
a) How reasonable and realistic is the overall budget of the
proposal submitted?
b) Are the estimated expenditure of the activities justified?
High value for money (5 points)
Good value/money (3 points)
Justified costs (2 points)
Overestimated costs (1 point)
Maximum total score: 38 points
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Project Selection Criteria
Scoring
The afore-mentioned criteria will be taken into account by the evaluators to assess
the projects. The purpose of the Core selection criteria is to assess the quality of
the eligible project proposals. The maximum total score a project may achieve is 100
points. Quality criteria are closely linked to the nature and objectives of the “GreeceItaly” cross-border Programme and are common to all Priority Axes or Areas of
Intervention.
The Joint Technical Secretariat carries out the evaluation of proposals, based on these
selection criteria, approved by the Joint Monitoring Committee.
The Managing
Authority ensures that the evaluation procedure was carried out in accordance with
the requirements of the call for proposals and the approved selection criteria.
Then, the MA submits to the Joint Selection Committee:
1) the application forms of the submitted project proposals,
2) a ranking list of all evaluated project proposals and
3) all evaluation forms.
The projects are ranked according to the results obtained and applications are divided
into three categories (based on the budget available and the results of evaluation):

Applications proposed to be accepted;

Applications proposed to be rejected and

Applications proposed to be further discussed at the Joint Selection Committee
(acceptable under conditions).
To be financed by the Programme, a project must:

obtain at least 50% of the total evaluation points
as well as 50%
of the
points attributed to each subcategory of evaluation criteria.
The Joint Selection Committee examines all project proposals on the basis of the
preliminary technical evaluation, carried out by the JTS, performing a strategic
evaluation and finalizes the evaluation by filling in the final evaluation forms. Then,
the MA submits to the Monitoring Committee:
1) the application forms of the submitted project proposals,
2) a ranking list of all evaluated project proposals and
3) the final evaluation forms.
The Monitoring Committee selects and approves the projects to be funded.
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European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013
Project Selection Criteria
ANNEX 1
The fields of minimum criteria of joint character of the project will be interpreted as
follows. Each project should satisfy at least two of the following:
Joint development

All partners should contribute to the development of the project;

Partners should define how the project will operate, i.e. joint development of
objectives and outcomes, budget, timing and responsibilities for work packages
and tasks to achieve the objectives;

Partners should identify knowledge and experience that each one of them brings
to the project, as well as what each partner expects to get from the project.
Joint implementation

The Lead Partner should bear the overall responsibility for the project. All partners
should undertake responsibilities for different parts of the implementation.

Each project partner responsible for a work package should coordinate and ensure
that planned activities are carried out, interim targets are met and unexpected
challenges to implementation are dealt with.

Several partners may contribute to each work package.
Joint staffing

All project partners should have a defined role and allocate staff to fulfill this role.

Staff members should coordinate their activities with others involved in the
activity or work package and exchange information regularly.

There should be no unnecessary duplication of functions in different partner
organizations.
Joint financing

The project should have a joint budget with funding allocated to partners
according to the activities they are carrying out (the budget split should reflect
partner responsibilities).

The budget should include annual spending targets and spending targets per work
package.

In general, all partners should contribute with co-financing.
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