Action plan
An action plan should break down the strategy goals and objectives into specific tasks. It should include the sequence of steps to be taken, or activities that must be performed, for a strategy to succeed. Therefore it should include a time line, the financial resources and a definition of the responsible actors.
This type of output can relate either to the development of new or further improvement, revision and/or update of existing action plans as well as their subsequent implementation.
It should not be mixed up with the concept of Working Plan.
Tags: Working Plan
Activity
An activity can be defined as a process, what is done for a particular purpose. Each Work package is divided into activities. Activities have to lead to the development of one or more project outputs.
Tags: Work Package; output
Additionality
One of the three main programme criteria, to be respected by all proposed project activities; it means that the activities proposed to the Interreg MED Programme have to be different from the normal and regular tasks of the partners involved in the project. In particular, the actions have to represent additional activities that would not be carried out without the support of the Interreg MED Programme.
Ref.: For a more detailled definition, see the InfoRegio glossary
Administrative and eligibility check
First step of the proposal assessment process after the closure of a call for proposals. The purpose is to verify whether an application complies with the administrative and eligibility criteria established by the Interreg MED Programme for the projects of the call. Failure to comply with any of these criteria leads to outright rejection of the application.
Amount certified (CA)
Amount of eligible expenditure included in the certificate of the Certifying Authority (CA).
Amount certified (FLC)
Amount of expenditure included in the certificate of the First Level Controller (FLC).
Applicant
An organisation which is applying for funding.
Application form (AF)
Binding document which describes the project (objectives, results, outputs, partnership) and gives detailed information on the work plan and financial figures. The AF has to be submitted during the selection process and is assessed by the programme bodies, in order to select the projects to be funded by the programme. Once the project is approved, the AF becomes the reference document for the whole implementation of the project until its closure. The content of it may change to a certain extent during the implementation, but only according to the programme’s project modifications rules and procedures.
Assessment
One part of the project selection process. It implies in-depth quality assessment of the project application
Tags: Evaluation; Verification (MA/JS)
Assessment criteria
See « Quality assessment criteria
Tags: Quality assessment criteria
Associated partner
Institution involved in a project without financially contributing to it.
Audit Authority
Functionally independent from the Managing Authority and the Certifying Authority, the Audit Authority (AA) is responsible for verifying the effective functioning of the management and control system.
The AA is an inter-ministerial commission (CICC) reporting to the Prime Minister, who appoints its members, and is assisted by a group of independent auditors composed of a representative from each State participating in the programme.
The representatives of the participating states to the Group of Auditors, that assist the AA, shall not be involved in any other management or certification activity under the MED programme.
Audit trail
An adequate audit trail ensures that the accounting records maintained and the supporting documents held at the level of the Certifying Authority, Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat, National Authorities and beneficiaries are adequate to trace expenditures.
Automatic public contribution
The programme funds meet only a proportion of the project expenditure. The remainder has to be covered from other sources, which can be the partner’s own resources or it can come from external sources, but not from another EU fund.
Public funding automatically allocated to a project partner from national/regional sources. Some Member States/regions provide public support to organisations in their territories in order to facilitate their participation in cooperation programmes. (See also Contribution)
Baseline
A baseline is the value of a result indicator at the beginning of the programming period (for example, the number of start-ups in that year for a priority that intends to drive up the number of start-ups in a region). Each result indicator requires a baseline value (art. 6, ERDF regulation, art. 5, CF regulation; art. 16, ETC regulation).
Tags: Result indicator; Output indicator; Target value
Benchmarking study
Benchmarking is a measurement of the quality of an organisation’s policies, products, programmes, strategies, etc., and their comparison with standard measurements, or similar measurements of its peers. The benchmarking process includes the identification of best practices and comparison of the results with those of the studied targets.
The objectives of benchmarking study are (1) to determine what and where improvements are called for, (2) to analyse how other organisations achieve their high performance levels, and (3) to use this information to improve performance.
Tags: Deliverable
Beneficiary
Partner of a MED project receiving ERDF funds (or IPA funds in Mediterranean candidate or potential candidate countries).
Beneficiaries should not be mixed up with End-users and Target Groups, who benefit from the Programme activities and may even be involved in the operations (for target groups only), but do not receive any funding from the MED Programme.
Tags: End-user; Target Group
Benefit
The measurable improvement resulting from an outcome perceived as an advantage by one or more stakeholders.
Blue energy
Blue energy refers to all forms of renewable energy production from sea, including ocean energy (i.e. wave and tidal energy production, thermal energy conversion) and offshore wind energy production, and relevant technological developments
Tags: Renewable energy; Blue growth
Ref.: « Value chain scheme for cooperation », BLUENE report
Blue growth
Blue Growth is the long term strategy to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors as a whole. It recognises that seas and oceans are drivers for the European economy with great potential for innovation and growth. It is the Integrated Maritime Policy’s contribution to achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Tags: Blue energy
Ref.: Reference
Bottom-up approach
A « bottom-up » approach is one that works from the grassroots—from a large number of people working together, causing a decision to arise from their joint involvement.
Tags: Top-down approach
Budget line
A set of cost centres that facilitates reporting on expenditure and revenue. Each cost item can be allocated to one budget line only, according to the nature of the cost. The Interreg MED Programme budget lines integrate the five categories of costs defined in Article 18 ETC Regulation (EU) 1299/2013.
NOTE: The term budget line is used as an equivalent of the term category of expenditure used in the regulations.
Call for proposals
Period of time in which applications can be submitted to the Joint Secretariat.
Capacity Building
Capacity building encompasses human, scientific, technological, organisational, institutional and resource capabilities. A fundamental goal of capacity building is to enhance the ability to evaluate and address the crucial questions related to policy choices and modes of implementation.
Tags: Institutionnal capacity; Training
Ref.: Agenda 21’s definition (Chapter 37, UNCED, 1992.)
Capitalisation
Organisation of data concerning the implementation of programmes, projects, their impacts, the methods used in order to make the accumulated experience usable for other programmes, projects or stakeholder groups.
Capitalising project (Module 3)
This type of project has the objective to capitalise on existing projects results, not only achieved in the framework of the Interreg MED Programme but also coming from other corresponding initiatives developed at local, regional, national and transnational level in the Interreg MED programme cooperation area and adjacent zones.
Tags: Module; Single-module project; Modular project
Case study
The Case study is a descriptive, exploratory or explanatory analysis of a person, events, decisions, periods, projects, policies, institutions, or other systems from an holistic point of view. It is a method of inquiring a real-life case in order to explore causation and find underlying principles.
Tags: Deliverable
Certifying Authority
The Certifying Authority certifies statements of expenditure and applications for payment before they are sent to the Commission. It receives payments made by the Commission and ensures the reimbursement. It keeps account of unused/recovered funds to be returned to the Commission,
It is also responsible for drawing up the annual accounts and ensuring that audits are carried out on the management and control systems, on an appropriate sample of operations and on the annual accounts.
Cluster
« Groupings of independent undertakings — innovative start-ups, small, medium and large undertakings as well as research organisations — operating in a particular sector and region and designed to stimulate innovative activity by promoting intensive interactions, sharing of facilities and exchange of knowledge and expertise and by contributing effectively to technology transfer, networking and information dissemination among the undertakings in the cluster.
These groups may be recognized in a formal way (e.g.: the French “pôles de compétitivité”) or operate as informal networks as long as they constitute a stable ecosystem. »
Ref: Community framework for state aid for research and development and innovation’ – 2006/C 323/01
Tags: Quadruple Helix; Triple Helix; Innovation
Coastal area
A coastal area is defined as a NUTS level 3 of the geographical classification that has a coastline or more than half of its population living less than 50 km from the sea.
Tags: Coastal region; Coastal tourism
Coastal region
A NUTS 2 region with a coastal line.
Tags: Coastal area; Coastal tourism
Coastal tourism
Coastal tourism includes beach-based tourism and recreation activities (e.g. swimming, surfing, etc.), and other recreation activities in coastal areas (e.g. aquariums).
Tags: Coastal area; Costal region; Maritime tourism
Ref.: Reference
Co-financing rate
The maximum rate of programme co-financing applied to the eligible expenditure of the project and each individual partner. Different co-financing rates may apply to different types of partners.
Cohesion Policy
Cohesion policy is the European Union’s strategy to promote and support the ‘overall harmonious development’ of its Member States and regions.
Enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Art. 174), the EU’s cohesion policy aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion by reducing disparities in the level of development between regions. The policy focuses on key areas which will help the EU face up to the challenges of the 21st century and remain globally competitive.
Approximately 32.5 % of the EU budget 2014-2020 (equivalent to ca. EUR 351.8 billion over seven years at 2014 prices) is allocated to financial instruments which support cohesion policy. These are managed and delivered in partnership between the European Commission, the Member States and stakeholders at the local and regional level.
Community Building
Community building is a field of practices directed toward the creation or enhancement of community among individuals within a territory or with a common interest. It relies on varied activities and events to improve relationships and exchanges between the members of the community, to develop a sense of common purpose, and to keep all stakeholders committed to the realisation of common goals.
Tags: Horizontal project; Community of projects
Community of projects
The community of projects gathers all the modular projects in the same axis / objective of the Interreg MED Programme linked to the same horizontal project for their joint transnational communication and capitalisation activities.
Tags: Horizontal project; Community Building
Comparative analysis
Comparative analysis is the item-by-item comparison of two or more processes, qualifications and sets of data, system, products, comparable alternatives or the likes.
Tags: Deliverable
Conference
A conference is usually a broad event towards end-targets to disseminate results of the projects.
Tags: Deliverable; Seminar; Workshop
Consultation
A consultation is a way of investigating a subject consulting relevant targets.
Tags: Deliverable
Contribution
Counterpart to programme co-financing secured by the partners (paid by the partners from their own resources or paid to the partners from external sources). Depending on the source of contribution (partner’s own resources, external sources) and their legal status, the contribution can be public and/or private. (See also Private contribution, Public contribution, Automatic public contribution)
Control
Control means any measure taken to provide reasonable assurance regarding the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of operations, the reliability of reporting, the safeguarding of assets and information, the prevention, detection and correction of fraud and irregularities and their follow-up, and the adequate management of the risks relating to the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions, taking into account the multiannual character of programmes as well as the nature of the payments concerned. Controls may involve various checks. (See also Check)
Ref.: Financial Regulation Article 2(r)
Cooperation area
Area covered by the Interreg MED Programme. It includes all or parts of the following countries:
– Croatia (entire country)
– Cyprus (entire country)
– France (5 regions – Corse, Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées, Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, Rhône-Alpes)
– Greece (entire country)
– Italy (19 regions – Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Molise, Piedmonte, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria, Valle D’Aosta, Veneto)
– Malta (entire country)
– Portugal (3 regions – Algarve, Alentejo, Area Metropolitana de Lisboa)
– Slovenia (entire country)
– Spain (6 autonomous regions – Andalusia, Aragon, Catalonia, Balearic islands, Murcia, Valencia – and 2 autonomous cities – Ceuta and Melilla)
– United Kingdom (Gibraltar)
– Albania (entire country)
– Bosnia and Herzegovina (entire country)
– Montenegro (entire country)
Cooperation criteria
The four joint criteria used to measure to what extent projects cooperate. According to art. 11(4) of ETC regulation, project partners shall cooperate in the development and implementation of projects. In addition, they shall cooperate in the staffing or the financing of projects, or in both.
Tags: Joint development; Joint implementation; Joint financing ; Joint staffing
Ref.: Article 11(4) of ETC Regulation
Coordination
Coordination is the synchronisation and integration of activities, responsibilities, and command and control structures to ensure that resources are used most efficiently in pursuit of the specified objectives.
In practice it means that all Interreg MED project actions must be coordinated by one partner in charge. Therefore, from the beginning of the project, all partners in charge of actions and/or group of actions must:
– Have a complete overview of the developement of the activity (partners responsabilities and work load, time table, expected results, deliverables, etc.)
– Provide partners with regular and up-to-date information.
Horizontal projects shall coordinate their communication and capitalisation activities with the Joint Secretariat and modular projects with the Horizontal projects.
Costs incurred
Costs accumulated in relation to implementation of the project that are recorded as liabilities on a balance sheet of the partner organisation until they are discharged or paid out. Incurred costs may include both direct and indirect costs.
Cross-border cooperation
The collaboration between adjacent areas across borders. The main aim is to reduce the negative effects of borders as administrative, legal and physical barriers, tackle common problems, and exploit untapped potential. Through joint management of programmes and projects, mutual trust and understanding are strengthened, and the cooperation process is enhanced.
Cross-border cooperation is one of the 3 strands of Interreg (ETC).
Tags: Transnational cooperation; Interregional cooperation; Territorial cooperation
Ref.: Interact DG Regio
Cultural and creative industries
These are the industries having a cultural dimension. At the European level, the so-called “ICC standard” includes: culture, arts and entertainment; media and cultural industries; creative services (architecture and engineering, design, advertising, business communication, software consultancy and supply); crafts and related activities.
Ref.: Reference
Cultural heritage and cultural resources
Cultural heritage is composed of tangible heritage including buildings and historic places, monuments, etc. and intangible cultural heritage which refers to practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills etc.
Cultural resources comprise both elements, the tangible and intangible cultural heritage, encompassing current culture, including progressive, innovative and urban culture. These resources can be valorised among others in cultural and creative industries.
Tags: Natural heritage and resources
Ref.: UNESCO 2003: Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage
Data collection
A data collection gathers data in a organised but static way. It is different from a database with multiple entries and filters.
Tags: Deliverable; Database
Database
Databases organise data via multiple entries and enable research and filters. A special attention must be paid to the format of a database to be usable and reusable and regularly updated.
Tags: Deliverable; Data collection
De minimis declaration
A statement signed by each cocerned project partner including information regardin the contribution(s) falling under the de minimis Regulation already received by the partner during the previous three fiscal years.
Tags: State aid
Deep renovation
In accordance with the Energy Efficiency Directive (see recital 16), cost‐effective deep renovations lead to a refurbishment that reduces both the delivered and final energy consumption of a building by a significant percentage compared with the pre‐renovation levels leading to a very high energy performance. Such deep renovations could also be carried out in stages. The Commission services have indicated (see SWD(2013) 143 final) that the significant efficiency improvements resulting from deep renovation are typically of more than 60% energy savings.
Tags: Energy efficiency; Energy Performance Certificate
Ref.: Reference
Deliverable
A deliverable can be defined as the physical evidence of what has been produced through an activity or as the physical evidence/support of the output that was produced through an activity. Each activity should include one or more deliverables that contribute to the achievement of project outputs. All steps of a single activity do not necessarily need to be listed as separate deliverables, but should be aggregated into one deliverable when applicable and relevant.
Tags: Result; Output; Activity
Ref.: Manual « Intervention Logic »
Depreciation
Depreciation is a loss in value of an asset over time.
The full purchase price of an asset is eligible if the item is solely used for the project during its total economic and depreciable lifetime. Depreciation may be eligible, provided the cost relates exclusively to the period of support and that no public grants have contributed towards the acquisition of the depreciated asset.
Ref.: Article 69.2 CPR
Direct costs
Direct costs are costs that can be attributed directly to the project. They are directly related to an individual activity of the partner organisation, where the link with this individual activity can be demonstrated (for instance, through direct time registration).
Tags: Indirect costs
Ref.: Draft Guidance on simplified cost options (EGESIF_14-0017 29/08/2014)
Durability
Durability of project outputs and results refers to the long-lasting effect of a project’s achievements beyond project duration.
Eco-innovation
Any form of innovation aiming at significant and demonstrable progress towards the goal of sustainable development. This can be achieved either by reducing the environmental impact or achieving a more efficient and responsible use of resource.
Tags: Sustainable development
Ref.: Reference
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a dynamic complex of plant, animal, and microorganism communities and the nonliving environment, interacting as a functional unit. Humans are an integral part of ecosystems.
Tags: Ecosystem Approach; Ecosystem services
Ecosystem Approach
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the formal definition of the Ecosystem approach is: “… a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. It is based on the application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organization, which encompass the essential processes, functions and interactions among organisms and their environment. It recognizes that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of ecosystems.”
Tags: Ecosystem; Ecosystem services
Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. These include provisioning services such as food and water; regulating services such as flood and disease control; cultural services such as spiritual, recreational, and cultural benefits; and supporting services, such as nutrient cycling, that maintain the conditions for life on Earth.
Tags: Ecosystem; Ecosystem Approach
Eligibility criteria
Administrative and techinical requirements established by the Interreg MED Programme that proposals have to fulfill in order to pass the administrative and eligibility check.
Eligibility of expenditure
The criteria for eligibility of expenditure determine whether a cost qualifies for funding under the Interreg MED Programme.
Ref.: Manual
Eligibility period
A timeframe during which project expenditure must be incurred and paid (unless simplified cost options are used) in order to qualify for reimbursement from the programme funds.
Eligible costs
Costs that are in line with the elegibility rules set out by the Interreg MED Programme and that in consecuente can be funded by it.
End-user
The end users concern individuals and/or organisations directly positively affected by the activities and results of operations. Not receiving a financial grant (as opposed to a beneficiary) and even not directly involved in the operation (as opposed to a target group), the end users may exploit project outcomes for their own benefits.
Tags: Target group; Beneficiary
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency improvements refer to a reduction in the energy used for a given service (heating, lighting, etc.) or level of activity. The reduction in the energy consumption is usually associated with technological changes, but not always since it can also result from better organisation and management or improved economic conditions in the sector (« non-technical factors »).
Ref.: World Energy Council: Energy Efficiency Policies around the World: Review and Evaluation, 2008
Energy Performance Certificate
An energy Performance Certificate is a certificate recognised by the Member State, or a legal person designated by it, which includes the energy performance of a building calculated according to a methodology based on the general framework set out in the Annex of Directive 2002/91/EC [EPBD, 2002/91/EC]. Energy Performance Certificates must be accompanied by recommendations for costeffective improvement options to raise the performance and rating of the building.
Tags: Energy efficiency; Deep renovation
Ref.: Reference
Energy planning
Energy planning at the territorial level provides a framework linked to policies and economic development which considers the specific local/regional patterns of energy needs and resources serving as a tool to mitigate climate change and enhancing sustainability.
Tags: Energy efficiency
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is to be understood as the mind set and process to create and develop economic activity by blending risk-taking, creativity and/or innovation with sound management, within a new or an existing organisation.
Ref.: European Commission, 2003: Green Paper Entrepreneurship in Europe
Environmental protection
Any activity that maintains the balance of the environment by preventing contamination and the deterioration of the natural resources, including activities such as: a) changes in the characteristics of goods and services, and changes in consumption patterns; b) changes in production techniques; c) waste treatment; d) recycling; e) prevention of landscape degradation.
Ref.: IUCN, 2011: Definitions
Equipment
Equipment is a tool, device, instrument, software, etc. purchased, rented or leased by a beneficiary, essential for the implementation of the project, This includes equipment already in possession by the partner organisation and used to carry out project activities.
ERDF
European Regional Development Fund. An EU fund which is intended to help reduce imbalances between regions of the Community. The Fund was set up in 1975, and grants financial assistance for development projects in the poorer regions. In terms of financial resources, the ERDF is by far the largest of the EU’s Structural Funds.
The main aim of the ERDF is to overcome the structural deficiencies of the poorer regions in order to overcome the gap between these regions and the richer ones.
Tags: ESI Funds; IPA; Cohesion Policy
ESCO
An energy service company (ESCO) is a natural or legal person that delivers energy services and/or other energy efficiency improvement measures in a user’s facility or premises. The payment for the services delivered is based (either wholly or in part) on the achievement of energy efficiency improvements and on the meeting of the other agreed term of the contract [ESD, 2006/32/EC].
ESI Funds
The European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) operate under shared management between the Commission and the Member States. In the 2014‐2020 period, the term European Structural and Investment Funds refers to the following five funds:
1) European Regional Development Fund (ERDF),
2) European Social Fund (ESF),
3) Cohesion Fund (CF),
4) European Agricultural and Development Fund (EARDF),
5) European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)
Tags: ERDF
Ref.: Reference
Europe 2020 strategy
Europe 2020 is the EU’s ten-year strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. In order to deliver on this objective, five ambitious targets have been set, covering employment, research and development, climate change and energy sustainability, education, and the fight against poverty and social exclusion.
Cohesion policy is committed to supporting the Europe 2020 Strategy financially. This is why, in the 2014-20 programming period, funding is targeted on 11 thematic objectives that address the Europe 2020 goals. A specific percentage of investments has to focus on these thematic objectives. Thanks to the thematic targeting, cohesion policy funding is spent in a way that helps Europe become more innovative, efficient, sustainable, and competitive.
Ref.: Reference
European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation (EGTC)
As legal entities, EGTCs bring together authorities from various Member States. Their members may include EU Member States themselves, regional or local authorities, associations or any other public body. EGTCs must contain members from at least two EU Member States.
European Groupings for Territorial Cooperation aim to facilitate and promote cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation in the EU. Their tasks include the implementation of programmes that are being co-financed by the EU or any other European cross-border cooperation project.
Tags: Cohesion policy; Transnational cooperation; Cross-border cooperation
European Territorial Cooperation (ETC)
European Territorial Cooperation (ETC), better known as Interreg, is one of the two goals of cohesion policy and provides a framework for the implementation of joint actions and policy exchanges between national, regional and local actors from different Member States. The overarching objective of European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) is to promote a harmonious economic, social and territorial development of the Union as a whole.
Tags: Cohesion policy; Transnational cooperation; Cross-border cooperation
Ref.: Reference
Expenditure category
See Budget line
Feasibility study
A feasibility study is an analysis and evaluation of a set of actions to determine if it is feasible (technically and financially within the time frame) and profitable.
Tags: Deliverable
Fishing Protected areas
Geographically-defined sea area in which all or certain fishing activities are temporarily or permanently banned or restricted in order to improve the exploitation and conservation of living aquatic resources or the protection of marine ecosystems.
Tags: Ecosystem
Flat rate
One of the simplified cost options. Specific categories of eligible costs which are clearly identified in advance are calculated by applying a percentage fixed ex-ante to one or several other categories of eligible costs. Flat rates involve approximations of costs and are defined based on fair, equitable and verifiable calculation methods.
GAP analysis
This process is aimed at identifying the requirements that will enable the target to reduce or close the gap between its current situation and its potential performance utilising existing resource. Gap analysis provides the basis for determining whether desired outcomes are realistic based on time, money and human resources available to achieve them.
Tags: Deliverable
Geographic Information System (GIS)
A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage, and present all types of geographical data.
Tags: Deliverable
Governance
Governance refers to sustaining coordination and coherence among a wide variety of actors with different purposes and objectives. Such actors may include political actors and institutions, interest groups, civil society, non-governmental and transnational organisations.
Tags: Platform Project (Axis 4)
Ref.: Pierre, 2000
Green growth
Green growth is about fostering economic growth and development while ensuring that natural assets continue to provide the resources and environmental services on which our well-being relies. To do this, it must catalyse investment and innovation which will underpin sustained growth and give rise to new economic opportunities.
Tags: Sustainable development; Blue growth
Ref.: OECD, Towards Green Growth, Monitoring Progress, Glossary of terms and definitions, 2011
Green infrastructure
Green Infrastructure is a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas with other environmental features designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. It incorporates green spaces (or blue if aquatic ecosystems are concerned) and other physical features in terrestrial (including coastal) and marine areas. On land, Green Infrastructure is present in rural and urban settings.
Tags: Sustainable development; Ecosystem services; Ecosystem approach
Guidelines
Guidelines give practical information on how to perform certain actions or obtain expected results.
Tags: Deliverable
Horizontal principle
Horizontal principles, in the context of EU funded work, are core principles of importance that cut across and have relevance to all areas of the work of EU funded projects.
There are three EU horizontal principles: sustainable development, equal opportunities and non-discrimination, and equality between men and women.
In itinere evaluation
Evaluation during the project’s life.
Tags: Evaluation
Inclusive growth
Inclusive growth aims at fostering a high-employment economy delivering social and territorial cohesion
Ref.: Reference
Indicator
An indicator can be defined as a way of measuring an objective to be met, a resource committed, an effect obtained, a gauge of quality or a context variable. An indicator should be made up by a definition.
Tags: output indicator; result indicator; intervention logic
Indirect costs
Indirect costs are costs that cannot be assigned in full to the project, as they link to various activities of the partner organisation. As such costs cannot be connected directly to an individual activity, it is difficult to determine precisely the amount attributable to this activity (for instance, telephone, water, electricity expenses, etc.).
Tags: Direct costs
Ref.: Draft Guidance on simplified cost options (EGESIF_14-0017 29/08/2014)
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is similar to Information Technology (IT), but focuses primarily on communication technologies. This includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication mediums.
Ref.: Reference
Information and publicity measures for beneficiaries
Information and communication measures are the responsibilities of beneficiaries to adopt a minimum set of communication rules laid down in the EU regulation No 1303/2013, annex XII, in order to communicate the EU Funds support to the related operation. Only information and communication materials produced under these rules are eligible for co-financing.
In-kind contribution
Contributions in the form of provision of works, goods, services, land and real estate for which no cash payment supported by invoices or documents of equivalent probative value has been made. In the framwork of the Interreg MED Programme this expenditure is non-eligible.
Ref.: Article 69.1 CPR
Innovation
Innovation is about creation of new products, new processes, new technologies, new organisation systems… Thus, innovation can be technological and non-technological with the objective to improve the functioning of institutions, the efficiency of strategies implemented or the competitiveness of economic operators.
Ref.: Reference
Innovation vouchers schemes
Innovation vouchers are small lines of credit provided by governments to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to purchase services from public knowledge providers with a view to introducing innovations (new products, processes or services) in their business operations.
Tags: Innovation; Small and medium-sized enterprises
Ref.: « Innovation vouchers », OECD Innovation Policy Handbook, 2010
Innovative cluster
Groupings of independent undertakings — innovative start-ups, small, medium and large undertakings as well as research organisations — operating in a particular sector and region and designed to stimulate innovative activity by promoting intensive interactions, sharing of facilities and exchange of knowledge and expertise and by contributing effectively to technology transfer, networking and information dissemination among the undertakings in the cluster.
Tags: Innovation; Cluster; Undertaking
Ref.: ‘Community framework for state aid for research and development and innovation’ – 2006/C 323/01
Innovative financial Instruments
Spending through innovative financial instruments is another way of spending EU budget than giving grants or subsidies. Innovative financial instruments cover a rather broad range of interventions such as participations in equity (risk capital) funds, guarantees to local banks lending to a large number of final beneficiaries, for instance small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or risk-sharing with financial institutions to boost investment in large infrastructure projects (e.g. the Europe 2020 Project Bonds Initiative). The aim of such interventions is to boost the real economy through increasing the access to finance for enterprises and industry producing goods and service.
Ref.: Reference
Institutional capacity
The concept of institutional capacity supports integrated planning and decision-making processes between institutions. Nowadays it often implies a broader focus of empowerment, social capital, and an enabling environment, as well as the culture, values and power relations that influence us.
Tags: Capacity building
Institutional partner
An institutional partner is a partner that has a role mostly focused on the definition of policies.
Tags: Operational partner; Scientific partner
Instrument
As output indicator, an instrument means any tool or service developed or adapted to achieve a goal for a specific target group.
Tags: output indicator; deliverable
Integrated approach
The approach is ‘integrated’ or ‘ecosystemic’ when the result is not a series of isolated proposals working on limited aspects of, eg: tourism, transports, creative industry, but a global coordination effort making these domains contribute to the sustainable development of territories (taking into account available means, existing public policies, conflict of use, jobs creation, involvement of public and private operators, etc.).
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)
Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) is a dynamic, multidisciplinary and iterative process to promote sustainable management of coastal zones. It covers the full cycle of information collection, planning (in its broadest sense), decision making, management and monitoring of implementation. ICZM uses the informed participation and cooperation of all stakeholders to assess the societal goals in a given coastal area, and to take actions towards meeting these objectives. ICZM seeks, over the long-term, to balance environmental, economic, social, cultural and recreational objectives, all within the limits set by natural dynamics. ‘Integrated’ in ICZM refers to the integration of objectives and also to the integration of the many instruments needed to meet these objectives. It means integration of all relevant policy areas, sectors, and levels of administration. It means integration of the terrestrial and marine components of the target territory, in both time and space.
Tags: Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP); Coastal area
Integrated Environmental management
Integrated environmental management means a comprehensive approach to natural resource planning and management that encompasses ecological, social, and economic objectives. It considers the interrelationships among different elements and incorporates concepts of carrying capacity, resilience and sustainability.
Integrated Maritime Surveillance
Integrated Maritime Surveillance is about providing authorities interested or active in maritime surveillance with ways to exchange information and data. Sharing data will make surveillance cheaper and more effective, contributing to improve the capacity for response in case of emergencies and increase the economic value of the associated sectors.
Ref.: Reference
Integrated project (M1 + M2 + M3)
Projects from this type have the ambition to create a direct impact on regional and national policies of the MED and European space and may integrate all types of activities foreseen in the single-module projects. Their structure and actions should be fully oriented towards looking forward transnational solutions linked with the MED area in a global manner and not with specific territories.
Tags: Studying project (Module 1); Testing project (Module 2); Capitalising project (Module 3)
INTERREG
See ETC.
Tags: European Territorial Cooperation (ETC)
Interregional cooperation
Interregional cooperation is aimed at enhancing EU regional development through transfers of know-how and exchanges of experiences between regions.
The Interregional Cooperation Programme INTERREG EUROPE forms part of the European Territorial Cooperation goal under cohesion policy for 2014-20. The programme aims to improve the effectiveness of regional development policies and contribute to economic modernisation and increased competitiveness in Europe.
It provides a framework for cooperation between regional and local actors in the EU-28, as well as in Norway and Switzerland.
Programmes are part-financed by the ERDF under the interregional cooperation strand of the European Territorial Cooperation goal:
INTERACT – support for, and exchange of, good practice between authorities in charge of implementing cooperation programmes
ESPON – territorial planning observatory
URBACT – creation of, and support for, city networks and urban development.
Tags: European Territorial Cooperation (ETC); Cohesion Policy
Investment
The term investment refers to an output of a project activity or activities that remains in use by the project’s target group after the completion of the project. In line with Article 3 ERDF Regulation (EU) 1301/2013, productive investments, investments in infrastructure and fixed investments in equipment are among the types of activities to be supported from ERDF in 2014-2020.
In all cases, expenditure related to investments can be allocated under different HIT budget lines: the type of cost defines the relevant budget line.
Investments in infrastructure involve expenditure for the financing of infrastructure and construction works that do not fall into the scope of the five categories of costs defined in Article 18 ETC Regulation (EU) 1299/2013.
IPA
Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (2014-2020). Funds available to partners from countries engaged in the (pre-) accession process to the EU: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In the framework of the Interreg MED Programme only partner from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro are eligible.
Tags: ERDF
Joint Development
The project idea and scope are jointly developed by the partners. Joint development is one of the four cooperation criteria: joint development, joint financing, joint implementation, and joint staffing.
Tags: Cooperation criteria; Joint financing ; Joint staffing; Joint implementation
Joint Financing
All partners contribute finacially to the project resources. Joint financing is one of the four cooperation criteria: joint development, joint financing, joint implementation, and joint staffing.
Tags: Cooperation criteria; Joint development; Joint implementation
Joint Implementation
The activities, the outputs and results are jointly realised by the partners. Joint implementation is one of the four cooperation criteria: joint development, joint financing, joint implementation, and joint staffing.
Tags: Cooperation criteria; Joint development; Joint financing ; Joint staffing
Joint Staffing
All partners assume the necessary role to coordinate and take part of the responsibility. Joint staffing is one of the four cooperation criteria: joint development, joint financing, joint implementation, and joint staffing.
Tags: Cooperation criteria; Joint development; Joint implementation
Key actors
The « key actors » are the institutions or individuals which play an important role in the field of action of the project and who are likely to contribute in a significant way to its realisation. They have both political and administrative competences and technical capacities to implement the actions required for the project.
Lead partner (LP)
Project participant taking the overall responsibility for the development and the implementation of a project. Each Lead Partner is expected to conclude the Partnership Agreement (with its project partners) and the Subsidy Contract (with the Managing Authority), ensure a sound transnational project management as well as the project implementation, an efficient exchange of information among the partnership and with the Programme bodies, and the reception of the reimbursements by the partners in full and as quickly as possible.
Tags: Project partner; Partnership Agreement; Subsidy contract
Legal representative
A person authorised to sign binding documents (e.g., application form, subsidy contract) on behalf of an organisation.
Leverage effect
Leverage effect is understood as the mechanism allowing a limited amount of initial investment (usually a grant or a loan) to trigger further investments from other actors, and therefore to maximise the result.
Living-lab
A Living Lab is a research method of open innovation aimed at developing new products and services. The approach promotes a co-creation process with the involvement of end users in real conditions and relies on an ecosystem of public-private-citizen partnerships.
Low carbon economy
Low carbon economy refers to an economy that is more climate-friendly and less energy-intensive.
Tags: Sustainable development
Ref.: « EU plan for a competitive low-carbon economy by 2050, Citizen’s summary, 2011.
Low carbon transport
Sustainable low-carbon transport provides economically viable infrastructure and operation that offers safe and secure access for both persons and goods whilst reducing short and long term negative impacts on the local and global environments.
Tags: Sustainable development; Multimodal transport
Lump sum
One of the simplified cost options. A lump sum is a total allocation of the grant (calculated ex-ante), paid to the project upon completion of pre-defined terms of agreement on activities and/or outputs.
Lump sums involve approximations of costs established based on fair, equitable and verifiable calculation methods.
Macro-regional approach
Macro-regional approach is an integrated framework relating to Member States and third countries in the same geographical area. It aims to address common challenges, while benefitting from strengthened cooperation for economic, social and territorial cohesion. It is based on a regional sense of identity; a wish for common strategic planning; and a willingness to pool resources.
Tags: Sea basin strategy; Macro-regional strategy
Macro-regional strategy
A macro-regional strategy is an integrated framework endorsed by the European Council, which may be supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds among others, to address common challenges faced by a defined geographical area relating to Member States and third countries located in the same geographical area. In this framework they benefit from strengthened cooperation contributing to achievement of economic, social and territorial cohesion.
Tags: Macro-regional approach; Sea basin strategy
Mainstreaming
Also called transfer process, it is the process of integrating new knowledge and good practices into regional, national or european policy-making levels.
« Managing Authority
(MA) »
The MA is responsible for managing and implementing the operational programme in accordance with the principle of sound financial management. It is the entity that signs the subsidy contracts with the Lead partners.
The MA support the work of the Monitoring Committee and the transmission of the information it requires to carry out its tasks, in particular data relating to the progress of the cooperation programme in achieving its objectives, financial data and data relating to indicators and milestones.
The Med Programme’s Member States have designated as Managing Authority (MA) the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur Region (France).
Ref.: Reference
Map
A map is a technical cartography – charts of risks, vulnerabilities, etc – available under open source and easily reoperable format.
Tags: Deliverable
Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP)
According to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) MSP is understood as ‘a promising way to achieve simultaneously social, economic, and ecological objectives by means of a more rational and scientifically-based organisation of the use of the ocean space.
Tags: Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)
Maritime tourism
Maritime tourism covers water-based activities (e.g. boating, yachting, cruising, nautical sports) and includes operations of landside facilities (chartering, manufacturing of equipment and services).
Tags: Coastal tourism; Responsible tourism
Ref.: Reference
Marketing innovation
This refers to a new marketing method involving significant changes in product design or packaging, product placement, product promotion or pricing.
Tags: Product innovation; Process innovation; Organisational innovation
MED Area
See Cooperation Area.
Tags: Cooperation area
MED Library
The MED Library gathers the deliverables produced by MED projects (studies, databases, articles, podcasts, videos…) so that they can be easily accessed by end users.
Meeting
A meeting is an event usually targeted at a very specific and limited public.
Tags: Deliverable
Method
A method introduces questions to reflect on, information to be collected, operations to be carried out to achieve a goal. As type of deliverable, a method includes: guidelines, methodologies, plans, strategies, models, guidance, …
Tags: Deliverable
Modular project
This concept refers to all thematic module-based projects from the Axes 1, 2 and 3. A project can be composed by one or several modules depending on its strategy and main objectives, expected results, competences and experience of the partnership. Each one of the possible configurations (single-module or multi-module) is called a type of project.
Tags: Module; Horizontal project
Ref.: Reference
Module
A module is a complete cycle of a project, with a partnership, a budget, concrete objectives, outputs and expected results to be implemented in a defined period. There are three types of modules: M1 « Studying », M2 « Testing », and M3 « Capitalising ».
Tags: Modular project
Ref.: Reference
« Monitoring Committee
(MC) »
The Monitoring Committee is in charge of the efficient and qualitative implementation of the Cooperation Programme and progress made towards achieving its objectives. It is responsible for the final validation of the list of the projects selected by the Steering Committee (under art. 12 of ECT regulation) and the selection and modification of the projects of axis 4 and 5.
The Monitoring Committee is set up by Member States. Decisions are taken on a consensus basis expressed by each national delegation with one vote allocated per participating country. If necessary, decisions can be made following a written procedure (also on a consensus basis) within the participating States.
Ref.: Reference
Multimodal transport
Multimodal transport is understood as the carriage of persons or goods by at least two different modes of transport. Environmentally friendly transport solutions are those allowing a significant reduction of emissions of CO2, NOx as well as of noise.
Tags: Low carbon transport
Ref.: Reference
Multi-module project
The multi-module types of projects are justified by a medium-term vision, with a project proposal combining different objectives and results and the need for a multiple skills partnership.
Tags: Module; Single-module project; Modular project
National Contact Point (NCP)
The National Contact Points (NCPs) are set up by each Member State up in coherence with their administrative system. They can be individuals or administrative bodies.
NCPs ensure the transnationality of the programme and help mainstreaming of projects. They are in direct contact with national stakeholders and provide information on the programme, on the calls for projects and on administrative requirements for the submission of applications. NCPs are coordinated by their National Authorities. Decentralised structures of the programme might also be set up to support the programme implementation.
Ref.: Reference
Natura 2000
Natura 2000 is a network of nature protection areas in the territory of the European Union. It is made up of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated respectively under the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive. Natura 2000 protects around 18 percent of land in the EU countries (787,767 km squared in 2013).
Tags: Ecosystem; Environmental protection
Natural heritage and resources
As natural heritage are considered natural features, geological and physiographical formations (including habitats) and natural sites or precisely delineated natural areas.
Natural resources are produced by nature, commonly subdivided into non – renewable resources, such as minerals and fossil fuels, and renewable natural resources that propagate or sustain life and are naturally self-renewing when properly managed, including plants and animals, as well as soil and water.
Tags: Cultural heritage and cultural resources; Environmental protection; Ecosystem
Ref.: UNESCO, 1972: Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
Nearly Zero energy buildings (NZEB)
A building that has very high energy performance, as determined in accordance with Annex I of the EPBD recast. The nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on‐site or nearby.
Tags: Energy efficiency; Renewable energy; Energy Performance Certificate
Net revenue
Cash in-flows directly paid by users for the goods or services provided by the project, such as charges borne directly by users for the use of infrastructure, sale or rent of land or buildings, or payments for services less any operating costs and replacement costs of short-life equipment incurred during the corresponding period.
Ref.: Article 61.1 CPR
Non-profit organisation
A non-profit organisation (abbreviated « NPO », or « non-profit » or « not-for-profit ») is an organisation whose primary objective is to support an issue or matter of private interest or public concern for non-commercial purposes. Non-profit organisations can make benefits but these benefits must be reinvested in its activity.
NUTS
The ‘nomenclature of territorial units for statistics’ (NUTS) was created by the European Office for Statistics (Eurostat) in order to apply a common statistical standard across the European Union.
NUTS levels are geographical areas used to collect harmonised data in the EU. They have been used in the Structural Funds since 1988 and play an important role in allocating Structural Funds.
The current nomenclature subdivides the 28 Member States into three categories, according to specific population thresholds:
NUTS level 1: includes smaller Member States such as Denmark, Ireland and Slovenia, the German Länder and other large regions.
NUTS level 2: includes the autonomous regions in Spain, French regions and overseas departments (DOM), Polish Voivodships, etc.
NUTS level 3: includes Nomoi in Greece, Maakunnat in Finland, Swedish Län, etc.
EU Regulations contain full definitions and listings of all NUTS regions.
Ref.: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Glossary:NUTS
Observatory
an observatory is a system following the evolution of a theme.
Open data
Open data refers to the idea that certain data should be freely available for use and re-use. In particular, focusing on generating value through re-use of a specific type of data – all the information that public bodies produce, collect or pay for.
Intelligent processing of data is essential for addressing societal challenges (for example, to enhance the sustainability of national health care systems) or tackling environmental challenges, to cite only two aspects.
Operational partner
An operational partner is a partner that has a role moslty focused on the implementation of policies.
Tags: Scientific partner; Institutional partner
Organisational innovation
This involves introducing a new organisational method in a firm’s business practices, workplace organisation or external relations.
Tags: Product innovation; Process innovation; Marketing innovation
Output indicator
Programme output indicators relate to activity. They are measured in physical or monetary units (e.g. number of firms supported, number of action plans elaborated, etc.).
Tags: Project output; Result indicator
Partner declaration
A statement signed by each project partner confirming their awareness of programme rules and requirements, and that they are familiar with what they are committing to. It includes partner’s confirmation of their financial contribution to the project budget, VAT status and State Aid declaration.
Tags: Project partner
Partnership agreement
In order to secure the quality of the implementation of the project, as well as the satisfactory achievement of its goals, the Lead Partner and the partners have to conclude a Partnership Agreement using the templete provided by the Interreg MED Programme containing all duties and responsibilities of each project partner before,during and after the project implementation. The Partnership Agreement allows the Lead Partner to extend the arrangements of the Subsidy Contract to the level of each partner.
Tags: Lead partner; Project partner; Subsidy contract
Pilot action
A pilot action means the implementation of schemes of an experimental nature to test, evaluate and/or demonstrate its feasibility with the aim to capitalise on those results and transfer practices to other institutions and territories.
Platform project (Axis 4)
The Platform project is a structured regional and multi-sectorial discussion forum. In the framework of Axis 4, it aims at enhancing Mediterranean governance. Its role is to bring valuable input from the results of MED projects to a more global « mainstreaming » level. It is a ‘top-down’ project approved by the Monitoring Committee and managed by the participating States.
Tags: Governance
Policy paper
A policy paper is a decision-making tool that:
• defines an urgent policy issue;
• identifies and evaluates policy options; and
• recommends a preferred alternative.
It does not aim at gathering and analysing data about a policy problem (i.e. research), but at developing a set of recommendations for action.
The policy paper should provide comprehensive and persuasive arguments justifying the policy recommendations presented and serve as a call to action for the target audience. Achieving this usually involves:
1. Defining an urgent policy issue which needs to be addressed.
2. Outlining the possible ways (policy alternatives) in which this issue can be addressed.
3. Evaluating the probable outcomes of these options.
4. Recommending a preferred alternative (policy recommendation) and providing a strong argument to establish why your choice is the best possible option.
Tags: Deliverable
Private contribution
The programme funds meet only a proportion of the project expenditure. The remainder has to be covered from other sources, which can be the partner’s own resources or it can come from external sources, but not from another EU fund.
Private contribution refers to the amount secured by the partners from sources having a private legal status. (See also Contribution)
Tags: Public contribution
Ref.: CBC Wales-Ireland
Process innovation
This involves a new or significantly improved production or delivery method.
Tags: Product innovation; Marketing innovation; Organisational innovation
Product innovation
This involves a good or service that is new or significantly improved.
Tags: Process innovation; Marketing innovation; Organisational innovation
Programme co-financing
The programme financial support provided to the project. The Interreg MED Programme entails support from ERDF and IPA funds.
Tags: ERDF; IPA; Co-financing rate
Programme language
The language to be used in all communication between the applicants/beneficiaries and the programme bodies. In the framework of the Interreg MED Programme the two official two languages are English and French.
Programme Manual
The Programme Manual is intended to assist applicants in drafting applications, as well as in implementing and finalising the approved operations.
Programme Priority Axis
Area of thematic intervention defined in the Interreg MED Cooperation Programme. The Interreg MED Programme has selected 4 priority axes for the 2014-2020 programming period:
– Priority axis 1: “Promoting Mediterranean innovation capacities to develop smart and sustainable growth”
– Priority axis 2: “Fostering low-carbon strategies and energy efficiency in specific MED territories: cities, islands and rural areas”
– Priority axis 3: “Protecting and promoting Mediterranean natural and cultural resources”
– Priority axis 4: “Enhancing Mediterranean Governance”
Tags: Programme Specific Objective
Programme result
The change sought (in the reference situation) in view of the specific objective to be achieved.
Tags: Programme Specific Objective; Result indicator
Ref.: Reference
Programme Specific Objective
Sub-area of thematic intervention defined in the Interreg MED Cooperation Programme. The Interreg MED Programme has selected 7 Specific Objectives for the 2014-2020 programming period:
– Specific Objective 1.1: “To increase transnational activity of innovative clusters and networks of key sectors of the MED area”
– Specific Objective 2.1: “To raise capacity for better management of energy in public buildings at transnational level”
– Specific Objective 2.2: “To increase the share of renewable local energy sources in energy mix strategies and plans in specific MED territories”
– Specific Objective 2.3: “To increase capacity to use existing low carbon transport systems and multimodal connections among them”
– Specific Objective 3.1: “To enhance the development of a sustainable and responsible coastal and maritime tourism in the MED area”
– Specific Objective 3.2: “To maintain biodiversity and natural ecosystems through strengthening the management and networking of protected areas”
– Specific Objective 4.1: “To support the process of strengthening and developing multilateral coordination frameworks in the Mediterranean for joint responses to common challenges”
Tags: Programme Priority Axis
Programme Steering Committee
The Steering Committee, whose rules of procedures are approved by the Monitoring Committee, is responsible, with the assistance of the Joint Secretariat, for the selection, in each single step of the assessment procedure, and the approval or rejection of changes of all types of projects (uni-module, multi-module, horizontal etc.) under axis 1, 2, 3.
Tags: Monitoring Committee
Progress report
A written document describing the findings of an assessment that takes place during the project by project partners, that conveys details such as what objectives have been achieved, what resources have been expended, what problems have been encountered, and whether the project is expected to be completed on time and within budget.
Project assessment
See Assessment.
Project evaluation
See evaluation
Project implementation phase
All activities performed by project partners which were presented in the application form and approved by the Interreg MED Programme.
Tags: Project preparation phase
Project modification
Change of the agreed-upon project scope as defined by the approved application form.
Tags: Application Form
Project output
An output can be defined as what comes out of an activity, what is produced. Project outputs are the outcomes obtained following the implementation of project activities. Each output should be captured by a programme output indicator and should directly contribute to the achievement of the project result.
Tags: Output indicator; Project result; Activity
Project overall objective
Provides overall context for what the project is trying to achieve, and aligns to programme priority specific objective. It relates to the strategic aspects of the project.
Project Partner
All project partners other than the Lead Partner.
Tags: Lead Partner; Partneship agreement
Project preparation phase
All activities performed by project partners when developing project proposal and preparing the application form.
Tags: Project implementation phase
Project result
The immediate advantage of carrying out the project, telling us about the benefit of using the project main outputs. It should indicate the change the project is aiming for.
Tags: Project (main) output; Result indicator
Project steering committee
The project steering committee is composed by representatives of all partners of the project and decides on the project implementation.
Project verification
See verification (MA/JS)
Pro-rata allocation of costs
Proportionate allocation of costs, revenue, shares, etc. to a project or project partner on the basis of a fair, equitable and verifiable calculation method.
Prospective study
A prospective study aims at synthetising the risks and foresee scenarii for the future as a support tool for strategic decision making.
Tags: Deliverable
Protected Area
A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.
Tags: Environmental Protection; Ecosystem; Ecosystem services
Ref.: Reference
Public Building
Building owned or managed by a public authority (e.g. offices, leisure centres, museums, public housing, hospitals, etc. )
Public contribution
The programme funds meet only a proportion of the project expenditure. The remainder has to be covered from other sources, which can be the partner’s own resources or it can come from external sources, but not from another EU fund.
Public contribution refers to the amount secured by the partners from sources having a public legal status. (See also Contribution)
Tags: Private contribution
Ref.: CBC Wales-Ireland
Public equivalent body
Any legal body governed by public or private law:
– established for the specific purpose of meeting needs in the general interest, not having an industrial or commercial character , and
– having legal personality, and
– either financed, for the most part, by the State, regional or local authorities, or other bodies governed by public law, or subject to management supervision by those bodies, or having an administrative, managerial or supervisory board, more than half of whose members are appointed by the State, regional or local authorities or by other bodies governed by public law.
Ref.: Article 2(1) of Directive 2014/24/EU
Quadruple helix
Innovation model involving institutional bodies, research sphere, business sector and citizens in the process.
Tags: Innovative cluster; Innovation
Quality assessment criteria
A group of related assessment questions on which a judgment or decision whether the project should be funded will be based. Used after the project is deemed compliant during the administrative and eligibility check.
Real costs
Expenditure actually incurred and paid (taking into account any rebate, discount or financial support) and supported by invoices or other documents of equivalent probative value.
Regional actors
Regional actors are all main stakeholders operating at regional level in a specific thematic field independently from their legal status, thus comprising the public as well as the private sector. These sectors include different types of entities such as public administrations, infrastructure and services providers and operators, agencies including RDA, interest groups, NGOs, research centres, education facilities, enterprises including SMEs, business support organisation, etc.
Regional innovation and Smart specialisation strategies (RIS3)
Smart specialisation is a new innovation policy concept designed to promote the efficient and effective use of public investment in research. Its goal is to boost regional innovation in order to achieve economic growth and prosperity, by enabling regions to focus on their strengths. Smart specialisation understands that spreading investment too thinly across several frontier technology fields risks limiting the impact in any one area.
A smart specialisation strategy needs to be built on a sound analysis of regional assets and technology. It should also include an analysis of potential partners in other regions and avoid unnecessary duplication. Smart specialisation needs to be based on a strong partnership between businesses, public entities and knowledge institutions – such partnerships are recognised as essential for success.
Tags: RIS3 platform; Joint Research Center; Structural Funds
Remote areas
An area is considered « remote » if less than half of its residents can drive to the centre of a city of at least 50 000 inhabitants within 45 minutes.
Tags: Rural area; Urban cluster
Ref.: Eurostat 2011
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy that is derived from natural processes (e.g. sunlight and wind) that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, bioenergy and ocean power are sources of renewable energy. The role of renewables continues to increase in the electricity, heating & cooling and transport sectors.
Tags: Sustainable development; Energy efficiency
Ref.: Reference
Reporting period
A designated period of time during the project lifetime; activities carried out and expenditure incurred and paid (unless simplified cost options apply) during a reporting period are presented in a Progress Report and a Payment Claim, and are subject to programme co-financing.
Responsible Tourism
Tourism that maximizes the benefits to local communities, minimizes negative social or environmental impacts, and helps local people conserve fragile cultures and habitats or species. (Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism,)
Tags: Sustainable development; Environmental protection; Coastal tourism
Result
see Project result
Result indicator
Programme result indicators relate to the objectives of Priority axes. They relate to the effects on direct beneficiaries brought about by a programme. They provide information on changes, for example, behaviour, capacity or performance of beneficiaries. Such indicators can be physical (reduction energy consumption, increase of a competence, etc.) or financial (additional financial resource mobilised, decrease of an expense, etc.).
Tags: Programme result; Project result; Output indicator
Risk assessment
Process to identify potential hazards and analyze what could happen if a hazard occurs
Roadmap
The roadmap is a synthetic document which defines the broad outline, and especially the stages of a policy, a strategy or an action plan.
Tags: Deliverable
Rural area
Rural areas are all areas outside urban clusters (contiguous grid cells of 1km² with a density of at least 300 inhabitants per km² and a minimum population of 5000).
Tags: Urban clusters; Remote area
Ref.: Eurostat 2011
Scientific partner
A scientific partner is a partner that has a role mostly focused on developping knowledge.
Tags: Operational partner; Institutional partner
Sea basin strategy
A structured framework of cooperation in relation to a given geographical area, developed by Union institutions, Member States, their regions and where appropriate third countries sharing a sea basin. Such a strategy takes into account the geographic, climatic, economic and political specificities of the sea basin.
Tags: Macro-regional approach; Macro-regional strategy
Seminar
A seminar presents results of a project in a pedagogic way. The number of participant is limited and well targeted.
Tags: Deliverable; Workshop; Conference
Sensitive areas
Areas with undisputed environmental qualities, taking into account the quality of the landscape or the presence of rare or endangered species. The term can also apply to land without any real intrinsic value, yet considered vulnerable due to the pressure exerted upon it, for instance by urban development or intensive tourism: reserves and natural parks ; Natura 2000 areas ; special protection areas ; special areas of conservation ; wetland ; biogenetic reserves; …
Shared costs
Costs of the project that are common to at least two project partners, and thus shared between them. In the framwork of the Interreg MED Programme this expenditure is non-eligible.
Simplified cost options
Contrary to real costs, simplified cost options modify the concept of expenditure paid by project partners. They involve approximations of costs, and are calculated according to a pre-defined method (e.g., established by the programme on the basis of a fair, equitable and verifiable calculation, or defined by the Fund specific regulations) based on outputs, results, or some other costs.
The application of simplified cost options signifies a departure from the approach of tracing every euro of co-financed expenditure to individual supporting documents. (See also Flat rate, Lump sum, Standard scale of unit costs).
Kindly note that not all simplified cost options are used by the Interreg MED Programme.
Single-module project
The single-module types of projects are basically aimed at partnerships having immediate requirements and seeking quick answers, wanting to work on a specific issue with more agility, not requiring large financing efforts nor a complex implementation.
Tags: Module; Multi-module project; Modular project
Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises are defined according to the number of employees and either the turnover or the annual balance sheet total.
– A medium-sized enterprise is defined as an enterprise which employs fewer than 250 persons and whose annual turnover does not exceed EUR 50 million and/or whose annual balance-sheet total does not exceed EUR 43 million.
– A small enterprise is defined as an enterprise which employs fewer than 50 persons and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 10 million.
– A micro-enterprise is defined as an enterprise which employs fewer than 10 persons and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 2 million.
This ceilings apply to the figures for individual firms only. A firm which is part of larger grouping may need to include employee/turnover/balance sheet total from that grouping too.
Ref.: Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC
Small scale investments
Facilities or infrastructures of limited size or scope, which are essential to the successful implementation of a pilot activity. Their purpose must be the demonstration of the feasibility and effectiveness of a proposed solution (e.g. services, tools, methods or approaches).
Costs associated to “small scale investment” should be foreseen under the budget line 5 – equipment expenditure.
Tags: Pilot activity
Smart city
In Smart Cities, digital technologies translate into better public services for citizens, better use of resources and less impact on the environment.
The smart city concept goes beyond the use of ICT for better resource use and less emissions. It means smarter urban transport networks, upgraded water supply and waste disposal facilities, and more efficient ways to light and heat buildings. It also encompasses a more interactive and responsive city administration, safer public spaces and meeting the needs of an ageing population.
Tags: Innovation
Ref.: Reference
Smart growth
Smart growth consists in developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation.
Tags: Innovation; Europe 2020
Ref.: Reference
Smart specialisation strategy
See Regional Innovation Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3)
Tags: Regional Innovation Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3)
Ref.: Reference
Social economy
Social economy is intended to make profits for people other than investors or owners. It includes cooperatives, mutual societies, non-profit associations, foundations and social enterprises. The primary objective of the traditional social economy enterprises is to serve the members and not to obtain a return on investment as the traditional mainstream capital companies do. The members act in accordance with the principle of solidarity and mutuality, and manage their enterprise on the basis of « one man one vote » principle.
Tags: Social entrepreneurship
Ref.: Reference
Social entrepreneurship
A social enterprise is an operator in the social economy whose main objective is to have a social impact rather than make a profit for their owners or shareholders. It operates by providing goods and services for the market in an entrepreneurial and innovative fashion and uses its profits primarily to achieve social objectives. It is managed in an open and responsible manner and, in particular, involve employees, consumers and stakeholders affected by its commercial activities.
Tags: Social economy
Social innovation
Social innovations are new ideas (products, services and models) that simultaneously meet social needs (more effectively than alternatives) and create new social relationships or collaborations. Fields of activity are among others work integration, social services, education and research, culture and recreation, health etc.
Tags: Innovation
Ref.: Murray et. al: Open Book of Social Innovation, 2010
Soft action
Generic terminology covering strategies, action plans and tools (mainly IT tools). It does not include investment in infrastructures.
Source of verification
The evidence that establishes or confirms the accuracy or truth of information provided.
Stakeholder
Anyone, internal or external to an organisation, who has an interest in a project or will be affected by its outputs and results.
Standard scale of unit costs
One of the simplified cost options. A standard scale of unit costs comprises of pre-established standard prices that apply to pre-defined quantities related to an activity. The eligible expenditure is calculated by multiplying the standard cost by the units achieved (quantified activities, input, etc.). In general, standard scales of unit costs are process-based, aiming at covering through the best approximation the real costs of delivering a project. They can also be outcome-based or defined on both process and outcome.
Standard scales of unit costs are established based on fair, equitable and verifiable calculation methods.
This simplified cost option is not used by the Interreg MED Programme.
State aid
Any aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsover wich distors or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production or certain goods.
Tags: De minimis; Economic operator / Undertaking; GBER
Ref.: Article 107 (ex article 87) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
State of the art
The state of the art gathers all existing information on a specific domain and aims at providing a synthesis. It is mainly the results of desk research and analysis of formal and informal publications.
Tags: Deliverable
Strategy
A strategy should be jointly defined on the basis of problems which are relevant for the participating regions. It should provide a common vision and set objectives and priorities in a mid- to long-term perspective. The formulation of a transnational and/or regional strategy should be carried out with involvement of relevant stakeholders (targeting the policy level) and aim at its subsequent implementation.
This type of output can relate either to the development of new or further improvement, revision and/or update of existing strategies as well as their subsequent implementation.
Studying and testing project (M1+M2)
This type of project has the objective, because of a lack of prior literature, data or experiences, to create new knowledge in a specific field and to develop common solutions that can be directly tested in specific territories.
Therefore, this type of project should focus on conducting studies and developing common plans or instruments (M1), which then will be tested in order to transfer them to the public policies of the territories concerned (M2).
Tags: Multi-module project; Studying project (Module 1); Testing project (Module 2)
Studying project (Module 1)
This type of project has the objective to explore innovative subjects from a thematic and/or geographical perspective (new challenges, policies or trends) or to create knowledge in the MED area on issues, relevant for the participating regions, where the Interreg MED Programme experience is insufficient.
Tags: Module; Single-module project; Modular project
Subsidy contract
Grant agreement between the Interreg MED Programme Managing Authority and the Lead Partner of an approved project.
Tags: Managing Authority; Lead Partner; Partnership Agreement
Sustainability
Sustainability is the ability to carry out an activity without significant deterioration of the environment and depletion of natural resources on which human well-being depends.
Tags: Sustainable development
Sustainable development
The concept of sustainable development refers to a form of economic growth which satisfies society’s needs in terms of well-being in the short, medium and – above all – long terms. It is founded on the assumption that development must meet today’s needs without jeopardising the prospects of future generations. In practical terms, it means creating the conditions for long-term economic development with due respect of the environment.
The Copenhagen world summit for sustainable development (March 1995) stressed the need to combat social exclusion and protect public health.
The Treaty of Amsterdam included an explicit reference to sustainable development into the recitals of the EU Treaty.
Tags: Sustainability
Ref.: Reference
Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP)
A Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) is the key document in which the Covenant signatory outlines how it intends to reach its CO2 reduction target by 2020. It defines the activities and measures set up to achieve the targets, together with time frames and assigned responsibilities. Covenant signatories are free to choose the format of their SEAP, as long as it is in line with the general principles set out in the Covenant SEAP guidelines.
Tags: Sustainable development; Energy efficiency; Renewable energy
Ref.: Reference
Sustainable growth
Sustainable growth consists in promoting a more resource-efficient, competitive and greener economy.
Tags: Green growth; Sustainable development
Ref.: Reference
Sustainable tourism
Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. Sustainable tourism development guidelines and management practices are applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations, including mass tourism and the various niche tourism segments. Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability.
Tags: Sustainable development; Coastal tourism; Maritime tourism
Ref.: Making Tourism More Sustainable – A Guide for Policy Makers, UNEP and UNWTO, 2005
Sustainable urban mobility plan (SUMP)
The 2013 Urban Mobility Package sets out a concept of a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) that has emerged from a broad exchange between stakeholders and planning experts across the European Union. The concept describes the main features of a modern and sustainable urban mobility and transport plan.
Tags: Low carbon transport; Multimodal transport
SWOT analysis
The SWOT analysis (matrix) analyses Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that enables the evaluate the strategic options for a domain. It implies two diagnosis: external, studying the environment: Opportunities and Threats; and internal: Strengths and Weaknesses of the domain of activity.
Tags: Deliverable
Synergie CTE
Online monitoring tool of the Interreg MED Programme.
Target group
The target groups concern individuals and/or organisations directly positively affected by the activities and results of operations. Not necessarily receiving a financial grant (as opposed to a beneficiary), but directly involved in the operation (as opposed to an end-user), the target groups may exploit project outcomes for their own benefits.
Tags: Beneficiary; End-user
Target value
A quantified objective expressed as a value to be reached by an indicator (output or result indicator), within a given time frame.
Tags: Baseline; Output indicator; Result indicator
Terms of reference
A document providing the framework and guidelines related to a specific call for proposals
Testing and capitalising project (M2+M3)
This type of project has the objective to test, at a wider level, instruments, policies, strategies, joint plans that have been already identified by previous initiatives (not necessarily arisen in the framework of the Interreg MED Programme) through pilot activities, ensuring the transferability of applied solutions in the territories concerned by the project (M2) and to capitalise results obtained during the first phase of the project (M2) with other projects results and experiences directly contributing to the project objectives (M3).
Tags: Multi-module project; Testing project (Module 2); Capitalising project (Module 3)
Testing project (Module 2)
This type of project has the objective to test instruments, policies, strategies, joint plans already identified by previous projects (not necessarily arisen by the MED experience) through pilot activities, in the perspective of setting up solutions applicable to a wider set of users and terri-tories.
Tags: Module; Single-module project; Modular project
Thematic equipment
Thematic equipment is an equipment directly linked to (or forming part of) the project thematic activities.
Tool
A tool is to be understood as a mean for accomplishing a specific task or purpose. Tools should be jointly developed at transnational level and innovative. They comprise amongst others analytical tools, management tools, technical tools, software tools, monitoring tools, planning tools, decision support tools, evaluation tools etc.
To be effective, a tool must be tailored to user needs and the respective framework conditions and has to be comprehensive and durable.
This type of output or deliverable relates either to the joint development of new or further improvement and/or adaptation of existing durable tools as well as their subsequent operational implementation.
Top-down approach
A « top-down » approach is one where an executive, decision maker, or other person or body makes a decision. This approach is disseminated under their authority to lower levels in the hierarchy, who are, to a greater or lesser extent, bound by them.
Tags: Bottom-up approach
Total budget
The total budget of a project established based on the costs planned by all project partners in the application form.
Tags: Total eligible budget
Total eligible budget
Total budget of a project subject to programme co-financing. In the application form, it is calculated based on the total budget, excluding the potential net revenue of the project.
Tags: Total budget
Total eligible expenditure
All expenditure that is compliant with EU, Interreg MED Programme and national rules, and thus is eligible for co-financing from the Interreg MED Programme. The total eligible expenditure is calculated based on the total expenditure, excluding net revenue generated by the project.
Tags: Total expenditure
Total expenditure
All expenditure incurred and paid (or calculated based on simplified cost options) by project partners in relation to implementation of the project activities.
Tags: Total eligible expenditure
Training
Training is to be understood as providing persons with the understanding, knowledge, skills, competences and access to information required in particular occupations. Training may encompass any kind of education (general, specialised or vocational, formal or non-formal, etc.).
Training measures should be jointly developed at transnational level and tailored according to the needs of the specific territories, target groups and stakeholders addressed by the operation.
Tags: Capacity building
Training session
A training session implies an pedagogic way of transferring knowledge to a targeted public (learning benefit should be assessed)
Tags: Deliverable; Capacity building
Transferability
All used protocols and results must be transferable to the MED area and therefore, the actions must be reusable and / or adaptable. The partnership must ensure that the following criteria are met: comparability of data and information, reliability of data and information, strength of methodology and protocols used, relevance of format, clear definition of target, etc.
Transnational cooperation
Collaboration between functional areas. It promotes cooperation among greater European regions, including the ones surrounding sea basins or mountain ranges, and facilitates coordinated strategic responses to joint challenges conducive to integrated territorial development.
Tags: Crossborder cooperation; Interregional cooperation; Interreg
Ref.: Reference
Transnationality
All actions must be transnational. It implies that approach is shared by the partnership, that actions are complementary within the partnership and that the results of the actions will benefit the whole partnership. Therefore, the actions must meet criteria such as: sharing common methodology for performing actions of the same type between partners, ensuring complementarity of work, ensuring comparability of data and information to permit a transnational synthesis and use of results.
Urban cluster
Urban clusters are clusters of contiguous grid cells of 1km² with a density of at least 300 inhabitants per km² and a minimum population of 5000.
Tags: Rural area; Remote area
Value added tax (VAT)
A type of consumption tax that is placed on a product whenever value is added at a stage of production and at final sale. Only VAT which is non-recoverable under national VAT legislation may be an eligible expenditure.
Value for money
Term referring to judgement on whether sufficient impact is being achieved for the money spent.
Ref.: Reference
Work Package
A “Work Package” (WP) is a group of activities defined in the working plan.
Tags: Activity; Working Plan
Working plan
A working plan describes a project to be accomplished and outlines how it will be done. It identifies main outputs, work packages, activities and deliverables.
Tags: Activity; Work Package; Project output
Workshop
A workshop is an interactive and targeted session with a limited number of relevant stakeholders. The result of the workshop is a progress in the content development.
Tags: Deliverable; Seminar; Conference