Northern Periphery and Arctic - Fourth Call for Main Project Applications

Date de clôture : 30 nov. 2016  
APPEL À PROJET CLÔTURÉ

***In connection to the outcome of the UK referendum, it has been decided to extend the Fourth Call deadline by 2 months, until 30th November 2016. Read more***

Background

The Northern Periphery and Arctic 2014-2020 Programme is part of the European Territorial Cooperation Objective supported by the European Regional Development Fund. The programme contributes to and aligns with the Europe 2020 Strategy, national and regional policies and development strategies, macro regional and sea basin strategies, and other programmes covering parts of the geographical area.

The programme’s vision is to assist in the generation of vibrant, competitive and sustainable communities, by harnessing innovation, expanding the capacity for entrepreneurship and seizing the unique growth initiatives and opportunities of the Northern and Arctic regions in a resource efficient way.

To date, the NPA 2014-2020 Monitoring Committee has in total committed approximately 48% of the programme funding to 25 projects.

Purpose of main project call announcement

In order to encourage high quality applications, the Monitoring Committee of NPA 2014-2020 would like main project applicants to start to develop their main project ideas, explore potential partnership and investigate match funding sources.

Special note

Applicants from the Faroe Islands and Greenland should be aware of financial limitations in the Faroese and Greenlandic funding sources. However, “Geographical flexibility” rules are in effect, these rules specifically allow for the use of ERDF funding for Faroese and Greenlandic partners.

Please the NPA Programme manual section 1.5.2 for further details.

eMS Helpdesk

As of the Fourth Call, the NPA is launching a eMS Helpdesk: https://npaems.freshdesk.com/support/home. For any problems you might experience with the eMS, please check eMS Helpdesk for solutions. On the Helpdesk page, you can also submit a ticket with your specific problem, which will be dealt with by a Joint Secretariat staff member, typically within one day. 

Terms of Reference for the 4th call

The MC has formulated the following Terms of Reference to ensure that all programme objectives are equally well addressed.

Terms of Reference Priority Axis 1:

  The MC is looking to fund an additional 6 projects in Priority Axis 1.

  The MC especially encourages projects addressing the following actions:

1. o In specific objective 1.1: Increased innovation and transfer of new technology to SMEs in remote sparsely populated areas
   
     Action: Transfer and development of models or solutions for clustering SMEs with shared needs in relation to accessing R&D in order to develop critical mass and support access to R&D links across regional and national borders.
   
     Action: Transfer and development of models or solutions facilitating business networks across regional and national borders to help to diversify and broaden the regional sector base.
    
2. o In specific objective 1.2: Increased innovation within public service provision in remote, sparsely populated areas
   
    Action: Transfer and development of innovative models or solutions addressing viability and low critical mass in public service provision in remote and sparsely populated areas.
    

 The MC especially encourages projects involving the following sectors:

• o Non-traditional, and creative sectors
• o Blue Growth, and Green Growth
• o Cold climate technologies, and cold climate impacts

Terms of Reference Priority Axis 2:

  The MC is looking to fund an additional 9 projects in Priority Axis 2.

  The MC especially encourages projects addressing the following actions:

1. o In specific objective 2.1: Improved support systems tailored for start-ups and existing SMEs in remote and sparsely populated areas
   
    Action: Transfer and development of models and solutions for support to start-ups and existing SMEs aimed at realising place-based opportunities in a new way.
    
2. o In specific objective 2.2: Greater market reach beyond local markets for SMEs in remote and sparsely populated areas, all actions:
   
     Action: Transfer and development of marketing models and solutions suitable for SMEs in remote, sparsely populated areas, to increase their market reach.
   
     Action: Transfer and development of concepts for clustering and creating networks of SMEs to meet a larger-scale, more diverse and/or more complex demand.
   
     Action: Transfer and development of marketing models and solutions facilitating the use of distance-spanning technology to overcome long distance to market.

 The MC especially encourages projects involving the following sectors:

• o Marine sector
• o Biotech
• o Processing/refinement of natural resources

Terms of Reference Priority Axis 3:

  The MC is looking to fund an additional 8 projects in Priority Axis 3.

  The MC especially encourages projects addressing the following actions:

• o the development and use of renewable energy sources suitable for cold climate and dispersed settlements
• o the use of ICT technologies, such as new energy efficiency concepts for smart energy management 

Terms of Reference Priority Axis 4:

  The MC is looking to fund an additional 6 projects in Priority Axis 4.

  The MC especially encourages projects addressing the following actions:

• o pooling of competences transnationally
• o help to develop and share concepts for sustainable environmental management that takes into account not only the environmental aspect, but also social and economic aspects affecting the community

For ALL Priority Axes, the following is highlighted:

•   All projects are expected make a special effort to include end users in their project proposals. End user involvement can be demonstrated by the composition of the partnership (e.g. involvement as full project partners, sub partners or associated partners), the involvement of end users as described in dedicated work package activities, or by attaching letters of support from end users.

•   Projects are encouraged to include measures to involve underrepresented groups such as young women and indigenous peoples.

•   In order to increase the impact of the NPA 2014-2020 on innovation and entrepreneurship in the programme area, projects are encouraged to address topics in a broader sense. 

OPENING OF 4th CALL: 1st May 2016

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30th November 2016 (subject to final MC agreement) 

DECISION DATE: approx. 2-3 months after the call deadline has been agreed 

FURTHER INFO: All details are published on the NPA website 

Guidance for applicants

See NPA 2014-2020 Programme Manual (click to download) for a description of the Priority Axes, instructions for how to apply and the NPA eligibility rules.

How to Apply Seminar

How to Apply Seminars have been organised on June 1st at the Cork Institute of Technology, Cork Ireland and September 1st in Copenhagen at the offices of the Joint Secretariat. These seminars will offer technical sessions on the application form, budget and partnership. The seminars will be conducted as a combination of the presentation of factual material and on-line eMS tutorials

Registration is open and space is limited to one person per potential main project application, and only at one event. Please book your accommodation as soon as possible.
Register here: https://npa-how-to-apply-copenhagen16.eventbrite.co.uk

Important note regarding future calls for main projects

The NPA Monitoring Committee will decide on the exact dates and the focus of the next call in December 2016. This will be communicated on the NPA 2014-2020 website and through the Regional Contact Point network. 

Preparatory project call

The call is ongoing, which means that applications can be submitted at any time. Preparatory Project decisions will be made by the Joint Secretariat. The approval process takes approximately 1 month from submission.

Preparatory project idea developers are encouraged to aim the end date of their preparatory projects to coincide with the Fourth Call deadline. See the Preparatory Project page for further details and instructions.

Further information

If you are interested in applying, we recommend that you are in touch with the Regional Contact Point in your region, click here for contact details. Alternatively, you can contact Christopher Parker at the Joint Secretariat, christopher.parker@interreg-npa.eu.