Table of Contents  

• What is the Joint Small Project Fund about?
• Who can apply?
• What type of projects can get funding under the Grant Scheme?
• Who are the target groups under the Grant Scheme?
• When can I apply?
• What is the amount of the grant can I ask for?
• Can I receive help with project development?
• How will my project be assessed?
• How do I apply for funding under the Grant Scheme?
• How can I obtain further information?  

What is the Joint Small Project Fund about?

Turkey and Bulgaria, in conjunction with European Commission, has developed the Joint Small Project Fund Programme to support the economic and social development and strengthen cross-border cooperation in the border region.

The Joint Small Project Fund is a grant scheme that supports joint projects for regional development and improvement of the cross-border cooperation, which are selected in competitive conditions involving the local authorities, the NGOs and all relevant local initiatives.

The Joint Small Project Fund Programme will be managed by the Central Finance and Contracts Unit.

Who can apply?

Non-profit making organisations located in the provinces of Edirne or Kırklareli can apply. Applicant organisations must be Turkish legal entities and have at least one action partner backed by the partnership statement from Bulgarian side and located in the districts of Haskovo, Yambol and Burgas.

Organisations considered to be eligible include

• Non-Governmental Organisations and all relevant local initiatives
• Local authorities (municipalities, special provincial administration and village administrations);
• Chambers of industry, commerce, agriculture and similar professional chambers and associations; foundations, associations, trade union associations and cooperatives;
• Provincial Directorates may only participate as associates. Associates play a real role in the action, but may not receive funding from the grant.
• Universities, research institutions, schools and colleges.

What type of projects can get funding under the Grant Scheme?

Economic Development:

Projects focusing on the strengthening the economy of the border region:

·       Actions for the development of small-scale enterprises,

·       Marketing initiatives, exhibitions and advertising events,

·       Actions for the improvement of cross-border co-operation structures, the creation of partnerships and information networks among supporting organisations,

·       Human Resources Development (HRD) programmes,

·       Actions for the improvement of custom’s services,

Tourism:

Projects focusing on the development of tourism:

·       Fairs and advertising events,

·       Institutional strengthening measures,

·       SME training facilities,

·       Human Resources Development (HRD) programmes.

Cultural Exchanges:

Projects focusing on the importance of the cultural heritage and enhancing the cultural exchanges:

·       Student exchange programmes,

·       Meetings,

·       Artistic and sporting events,

·       Inter-university cultural exchanges and activities,

·       Folklore events.

Institutional capacity building at local and regional level:

Projects helping to create and improve the skills of local initiatives:

·       Actions for the improvement of the institutional capacity of the local authorities, chambers of commerce, industry and agriculture, non governmental organisations, educational institutions and other local initiatives,

·       Relevant training courses,

·       Support to exchanges of know-how and experience through mutual visits.

Who are the target groups under the Grant Scheme?

       The target groups of Joint Small Project Fund Programme are students, academic staffs, youth, small-scale enterprises and local people.

When can I apply?

 After the launch of the Call for Proposals on 4 February 2008, there will be 71 days for the development of the projects and completion of the applications.

 The deadline for reception of applications is 14 April 2008, at 17.00 pm.

What is the amount of the grant can I ask for?

The overall indicative amount available under the present Grant Scheme is 651.000 €.

       The minimum amount that can be awarded to an individual project is 10.000 €, the maximum amount is 50.000 €.

         A grant award may not exceed 90% of the total eligible cost of your project.

         The balance of a minimum of 10 % must be financed from the applicant’s own resources.

Can I receive help with project development?

Following the Call for Proposals, there will be a number of information days and training courses that will provide guidance on solving the problems encountered during the project formulation and on making the applications properly.

General information will also be available from any of the Cross-Border Cooperation Bureaus listed at the end of this brochure.

How will my project be assessed?

Projects will be evaluated by the Evaluation Committee, which will be composed by Central Finance and Contracts Unit, according to the standard evaluation criteria contained in the “Guidelines for grant Applicants responding to the call for proposals”.

         The evaluation criteria cover such aspects as the relevance of the proposed action, its consistency with the objectives of the call for proposals, quality, expected impact, sustainability and cost-effectiveness.  The followings are the most important subjects that will be taken into account:

-       Having stable and sufficient sources of finance to maintain their activity throughout the period during which the action is being carried out,

-        Having the professional competencies and qualifications required to successfully complete the proposed action.

How do I apply for funding under the Grant Scheme?

 An application form, which is available on the following websites: www.dpt.gov.tr, www.edirne.gov.tr, www.kirklareli.gov.tr, www.cfcu.gov.tr should be completed.

The application needs to be accompanied by a detailed project proposal. The detailed information about the objectives of the project, the target groups, the benefits, budget details, expected results (outputs) of the project, etc. should be stated properly in the project proposal.

Applications and any other official enquiries must be submitted by the deadline set under the Calls for Proposals to the following address:

Mr. Muhsin ALTUN

Merkezi Finans ve İhale Birimi

Eskişehir yolu 4. Km 2. cad.

Halkbank Kampüsü No:63 C blok

06580 Söğütözü /ANKARA

How can I obtain further information?

Applicants may submit questions of substance in writing up to 21 days before the deadline for submission of proposals to the following address:

Merkezi Finans ve İhale Birimi

To the attention of Mr. Muhsin ALTUN

Eskişehir yolu 4. Km 2. cad.

Halkbank Kampüsü No:63 C blok

06580 Söğütözü /ANKARA

Fax: +90.312.2867072

E-posta: didemulac@cfcu.gov.tr

The Contracting Authority will reply to Applicants no later than 11 days before the deadline for the submission of proposals. Questions that may be relevant to other Applicants, together with their answers, will be published on the web sites of Undersecretariat of State Planning Organisation (www.dpt.gov.tr) and Central Finance and Contracts Unit (www.cfcu.gov.tr). All clarifications and requested information will be provided by the Central Finance and Contracts Unit and information provided by these CBC Contact Bureaus will not be binding for Applicants.

For Further Information:

For applications coming from the province of Edirne:

CBC Contact Bureau - Edirne

Governor Office in Edirne

Phone: 0 284 213 18 53

Fax: 0 284 214 22 13

E-mail: abem@edirne.gov.tr

For applications coming from the province of Kırklareli:

CBC Contact Bureau - Kırklareli

Governor Office in Kırklareli

Tel: 0 288 214 51 55

Faks: 0 288 214 30 73

E-mail: ab.kirklareli@icisleri.gov.tr