STANDARD SUMMARY PROJECT FICHE

Transcription

1 STANDARD SUMMARY PROJECT FICHE 1. Basic Information 1.1 Project Number: 2003/ Title: CBC Environmental Infrastructure Networks (Grant Scheme) 1.3 Sector Code Environmental Protection: (DAC): 1.4 Location: Hungarian-Romanian border region, Csongrád, Békés, Hajdú-Bihar- Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg counties 2. Objectives 2.1 Overall Objective: Ensuring an attractive environment contributing to the economic development and favourable living space. 2.2 Project purpose: Improving the environmental conditions of surface and underground water resources 2.3 Accession Partnership and NPAA priority: The objectives of the project are in line with priorities and intermediate objectives of the Accession Partnership, namely the management of municipal waste and the discharge of dangerous substances in the aquatic environment.. The same applies to the relation of the project to the NPAA, which covers the environmental protection objectives in chapter Contribution to National Development Plan: The long-term objective of NDP is the improvement of the quality of life, which cannot be reached without appropriate regards to sustainability and environmental concerns. Priority 3 (NDP II.4.3 Better Infrastructure and cleaner environment) mentions that investments are directed to developing wastewater facilities, improving the quality of surface and ground waters. The improvement of environmental safety (flood control, water pollution) is a paramount, as in recent years such changes have taken place in the environment and nature that endanger the quality of life in large areas of the country. According to the third objective (NDP 3 The strategy) of the NDP: Waste and water management, the improvement of the water quality, the reduction of air pollution are issues that considerably increase the welfare of communities. Another field of action that presents concern for the communities is the improvement of flood control and the water pollution control. 2.5 Cross Border Impact: This project is consistent with priorities defined by the Phare CBC Joint Programming Document (JPD) Hungary-Romania It belongs to priority 2 Environmental protection, water resource management, measure M1 Development actions in water quality and flood prevention (water base protection, preservation of water and underground water resources, preparation of studies and plans, establishment of monitoring systems etc.), M3 Action against environmental damages. This grant scheme is designed to implement the common environmental infrastructure strategies defined in chapter 5.3 of the JPD, namely: Securing sustainable regional development in the cross-border region in the medium and long term is the primary goal of the Priority Environmental protection, water resource management of the JPD. This priority axis aims at both providing a basis for the planning of methods to achieve the objectives set out in the areas such as technical infrastructure, water and 1

2 3. Description wastewater management, and waste management. In this framework, the Grant aims at implementing concrete projects in the field of technical infrastructure, water and sewage water management, and waste management. The objectives of the present Grant have a strong cross-border impact. Through the Hungarian-Romanian border region there are common rivers ( Maros, Körös rivers, river Berettyó, river Tisza), catchments areas and ground-water bases. Flooding in recent years have caused serious problems in the region. Also, it is a common interest to provide appropriate wastewater and waste management to prevent these natural resources from pollution. 3.1 Background and justification: The purpose of the present Grant Scheme the support of environmental infrastructure is consistent with the relevant regional and national strategies. To raise the potential of the target areas for development as well as the diversification into tourism and other new economic activities requires sufficient infrastructure systems on this field. The fulfilment of these goals will be ensured by well-prepared projects in the above-mentioned area, being available in a large number in the target region. Their realis a- tion will support the internal and external cohesion and connectivity in the cross-border area with a large catalytic impact. The National Programme for Environmental Protection (in chapter ) concerns the regional, sub regional cooperation a main priority, also it focuses on cooperation between neighbouring countries in the fields of environmental protection, nature protection and water management. It its chapter it defines an action programme for the protection and sustainable utilization of waters. It mentions the importance of the quality of the surface and underground water bases and defines measures in line with the 2000/60/EC Water Framework Directive, such as the canalisation and treatment of sewage water on settlements, increasing the utilization rate of communal sewage sludge, installation of water cleaning devices, implementation of nature-friendly technologies. The National Programme for Environmental Protection in consistence with the National Plan for Waste Management defines an action programme for waste management (chapter ) with the main objectives of improved utilization of waste, increasing installations of preventive actions, treatment systems with nature-friendly technologies. The programme considers the problem of industrial liquid wastes also, as in cases it can be harmful to the environment even more than communal waste if not treated the proper way, because they may contain poisonous elements. The programme emphasizes the importance of preventive measures against water damages within its objectives. These measures include flood prevention, increased water disposal capacity. Surface water quality is largely affected by the features of waste and waste-water treatment. The purification capacity is not adequate. In settlements without sewerage and treatment system, the sewage infiltrating into the soil deteriorates considerably the quality of common ground water bases and the soil. In the border region there are three geographical unit concerned by water management: the Upper Tisza Region, the Körös Valley (including the catchment area of the Körös rivers, river Berettyó, and the land between Körös and Maros rivers) and the Lower Tisza Region. These areas cover highly endangered lands in terms of heavy flooding and inland water, lack of water or bad water quality and sensitive water bases which give a specific importance to water management infrastructure development and cross-border cooperation in the field of water management in the border region. The Hungarian-Romanian border region faces yearly in one or more of those problems. The use of small-scale sewage utilities is an economic and environmentally sound solution, which helps to close the so-called public utilities scissor (decrease the difference between number of dwellings connected to the water conduit network and number of dwellings connected to the sewage system) in an effective way. This is the necessary and adequate condition for small settlements to develop cost-efficient sewage treatment programs instead of applying the expensive urban solutions. The quality of waste management is far below EU standards, and also lower than the demands of the society in terms of infrastructure and related services. In the majority of the cases the capacity of waste treatment technologies, their technical level and the logistics of waste management does not fulfil the requirements prescribed by complex waste management systems. 2

3 3.2 Linked activities: Important projects have been implemented or are under implementation in connection with environmental infrastructure on the border region such as following: The development of water management of the Fekete and Sebes Körös rivers (ZZ ) The development of the monitoring system of Berettyó river (ZZ ) Protection of ground water in the Maros sediment cone area (ZZ ) Flood control development of the Körös Valley (HU ) Waste water treatment of Debrecen ISPA under appraisal Water quality and flood prevention in the South and North Great Plain (prepared for Cohesion Fund) Support in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2002/ ) 3.3 Results: The following quantifiable results are expected: 1. Ensuring the utilisation and good ecological status of the dykes and the surrounding territory, creating appropriate condition for inundation works 2. Improved facilities in flood protection (eg. dykes, river beds, reservoirs, technical installations) 3. Expansion of the ultrasonic monitoring network of water-flow 4. Technical solutions for the preservation of surface and underground water resources for the provision of better water quality, better ecological conditions, connection between catchment areas in Hungarian-Romanian border region 5. Development and upgrading of sewage systems, wastewater treatment plants, wastewater and sludge disposal for small communities, improving the quality of underground and surface water 3.4 Activities: The project will be implemented through a Grant Scheme corresponding to the results described under 3.3. The Grant Scheme will provide grants in an amount of for investment, namely the procurement of works and supplies. Eligible activities are the following: 1. Purchase of machinery for sustaining good conditions of flood defence lines, machinery to prevent the dykes and river-beds against harmful vegetation 2. Paved road construction on dykes for prevention of the dykes from heavy traffic, and to ensure the accessibility regardless of weather conditions, modernisation of reservoir system, pumping stations, water control and water redirection structures 3. Establishment of territorial monitoring background for prevention and fast reaction in the case of environmental damage risk, including flood-monitoring systems 4. Purchase of equipment for endangered areas to reduce or prevent pollution, water dissemination, canalisation 5. Solution of harmless municipal sewage treatment and disposal, and sludge disposal in settlements, improvement of canalisation - Organisations eligible for support will be non-profit or non-governmental organisations as follows: Non-profit organisations Municipalities Educational institutions Bodies of the public administration (e.g. National Park Directorates, Water Authorities, Environmental Inspectorates) Associations of the above organisations 3

4 settled in the Hungarian-Romanian border region (Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg, Hajdú-Bihar, Békés, Csongrád counties on the Hungarian side and Satu Mare, Bihor, Arad and Timis counties on the Romanian side. Projects for support will be selected according to the following criteria (Indicative selection criteria, in accordance with the evaluation grid of the PRAG): General criteria of eligibility CBC impact: co-operation with a Romanian partner in one or more of the following phases of the project: planning, preparation, implementation, and utilisation after completion is required. Results of the proposal are in line with the objectives of the grant scheme. Compliance with projects financed by other international aid schemes (e.g. ISPA, Sapard), the technical content of the project proposal does not overlap with other internationally financed projects. Investments should be in line with the relevant directives (the applicant has to refer to these). Two proposals per applicant can be accepted. Documentation required for application: Availability of studies justifying the rationality and maintenance of the investment (feasibility study, cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact study if required). Availability of effective construction plans, valid permissions of authorities (e.g. construction permit, water construction permit, environmental permit). Certification of settled ownership conditions. Statement of the competent environmental authority in the cases of works projects that do not require environmental permit that the proposed developments do not endanger the surface and groundwater or any natural resources. Statement about the availability of co-financing Minutes of the public hearing relating to planned investments General selection criteria: Relevance: Relevance to the particular needs and constraints of the cross-border region (including conformity with regional development plans and the Joint Programming Document for the HU- RO CBC programme as well as other regional planning systems, e.g. waste management plan, wastewater disposal program). Projects have to have a direct physical impact improving the environment conditions of the surface or underground water resources in the cross-border area. Coherent, appropriate and practical character of the activities proposed (including the CBC activities). Specific elements of added value in the project, such as innovative approaches, and models for good practice. Relevance of the project to nature protection areas (e.g. National Parks and Nature Parks). Methodology: The preparedness and elaboration of the project proposal (including preparedness for evaluation). Involvement and activity of the CBC partners in the elaboration and implementation of the project proposal. The realistic implementation of the time-schedule and action plan of the project proposal. Definition of objectively verifiable indicators. Sustainability: Guaranteed (financial and institutional) sustainability of the developments implemented through the grant scheme. Beneficial social, economic and environmental impacts of the development. Possible multiplier effects of the development (including possibilities for replication and extension of project outcomes, dissemination of information). 4

5 Budget and cost effectiveness: To what extent is the budget clear and detailed? To what extent are the proposed expenditures necessary for the implementation of the project? Management capacity and expertise: Availability of the necessary personal and organisational capacity and expertise for the project management (including the previous experience in similar projects). Availability of the necessary personal and organisational capacity and expertise for the technical realisation of the proposal (i.e. knowledge of issues to be addressed). Developments implemented with the partnership of various settlements or organisations (consortia) (in addition to the Romanian partnership). 3.5 Lessons learned This programme is the second Hungarian-Romanian PHARE CBC programme to be implemented in the form of a grant scheme, nevertheless during the preparation of this project fiche, the experiences of previous PHARE CBC programmes, especially in the field of environmental and nature protection (see 3.2 Linked activities) were considered. The recommendations of the 2002 EMS Report Interim Evaluation, and the reports of Regional programmes (R/HU/REG/02062 and R/HU/REG/01019 (e.g. concerning the necessity of verifiable indicators, drafting maintenance agreements with beneficiaries for physical projects, regular, effective monitoring will be ensured in the process of implementation, more focused preparatory work will be done for long-term sustainable projects) were also taken into account during the programming phase and will be carefully watched in course of the implementation of the programme. 4. Institutional Framework IA (Implementing Agency): Retains full responsibility for programme implementation, prepares the Call for Proposals with its annexes (guidelines to applicants, application form, etc.) which are subject to approval by the EC Delegation. (In case EDIS has not been approved.) PAO (Programme Authorising Officer): Professional leader of the Implementing Agency, responsible for the programme implementation. Evaluation Committee: The Evaluation Committee consists of regional experts and representatives of the IA from Hungary and Romania. Inter-ministerial coordination: Experts from the Ministry in charge of Environment and Water Management will be consulted for the final definition of the selection criteria and will participate in the Evaluation Committee, which will give the final recommendations on the projects selection. The Ministry of Environment and Water will assure that no overlapping will take place with the ongoing Support in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive / project. 5. Detailed Budget ( Million) Component Investment Support Phare Support Institution Building Total Phare (=I+IB) National Co-financing IFI* TOTAL Investment in environmental infrastructure Total National co-financing: The Grant Scheme will be jointly co-financed between Phare and government resources to be provided by the Prime Minister s Office. The rate of Phare support within the total funding will be 75%, while the Hungarian government will contribute 25%. The ratio between the Phare and the national amount is binding and has to be applied to the final contract price. 5

6 The rate of the generally available maximum support (Phare and national co-financing) is 90% of the total cost of the projects to be supported, and at least 10% has to be provided as own resources by the beneficiaries in cash. The national co-financing included in the above budget table indicates the governmental co-financing amount of the project. 6. Implementation Arrangements 6.1 Implementing Agency The Office of the Prime Minister has been defined as the Implementing Authority for all measures to be implemented on the Hungarian side of the border. In Phare terms, the National Agency for Regional Development within the Office of the Prime Minister with its Békéscsaba Regional Office will be the Implementing Agency of the grant scheme. It will have the overall responsibility for all aspects of tendering and contracting as well as administrative and financial matters of the implementation. Implementing agency: PAO: National Agency for Regional Development of the Office of the Prime Minister Tamás Lunk Address: 1015 Budapest, Hattyú u. 14. Phone: Fax: Twinning Not applicable. 6.3 Non-standard aspects The relevant Commission standards for the management of Grant Schemes described in the Practical Guide to PHARE, ISPA & SAPARD contract procedures (PRAG) manual will apply during the implementation of the Grant Scheme. 6.4 Contracts The Grant Scheme will be implemented through an open call for project proposals according to the stipulations of the PRAG on Grant Schemes. Beneficiaries will sign Grant Contracts with the PAO laying down the rules of the project implementation based on the list of supported projects approved by the IA and endorsed by the EC Delegation in case of the Phare co-financed projects. Tendering and contracting of the required works and supplies will follow the PRAG manual. 7. Implementation Schedule Financing Publication of call for Start of Project Completion Memorandum proposals Activity 11/ / / / Equal Opportunity The implementation of the programme does not allow discrimination based on gender or any other kind. Women s participation is encouraged. The results of the projects must be available for everybody, evidence for which must be provided in the application. Participation of women in the training programmes will be measured through the reports of the projects. 6

7 9. Environment 10. Rates of return The activities covered by this grant scheme are directly related to the improvement of environmental and water management conditions. The improvement of the air, surface and groundwater quality is expected due to less environmental load resulting from non adequate wastewater, liquid waste management. In the case of investment projects where an environmental impact assessment is to be carried out the provisions of Government Decree no. 20/2001 (II.14.) on Environmental Impact Assessment should be taken into account. In the field of environmental impact assessment the Hungarian legislation is in full conformity with related EC legislation (Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC). Only investment project already having all necessary permits and authorisations are eligible for support under the grant scheme. The individual project applications submitted to the IA for grants shall determine the rate of return of individual investments in the form of indicators. 11. Investment criteria 11.1 Catalytic effect: The Phare contribution will help meeting the development needs outlined in the Joint Programming Document (JPD) of the Hungarian-Romanian border region. Without Phare support, the steps and objectives included in the programme could be implemented only much later and at a much slower speed Co-financing The grant scheme will be jointly co-financed between Phare and government resources to be provided by the Prime Minister s Office. The rate of Phare support within the total support will be 75%, while the Hungarian government will contribute a maximum with 25 %. The rate of the generally available maximum support (Phare and national co-financing) is 90 % of the total cost of the projects to be supported, and at least 10 % has to be provided as own resources by the beneficiaries in cash Additionality: Financial support to be provided by Phare will not displace any other funding Project readiness and size: A draft of the Call for Proposal, Application form, Guidelines for applicants and Grant Contracts will be elaborated by all concerned organisations by the time of signing the Financing Memorandum. All documents shall be prepared according to the PRAG template and submitted to the Delegation for endorsement prior to the launch of the Call for proposals. The Fund will provide grants to projects in an amount of The Phare contribution to the Grant Scheme is 2.5 million and meets the minimum project size requirements Sustainability: All infrastructures built through the grant scheme will be operated by the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries will be responsible for the sustainability of the project and will provide the administrative staff and the necessary funds for the operational costs. The ability of the applicant to finance the long-term operation and maintenance of the infrastructural instalments shall be proved in the application and checked at the project selection phase. 7

8 11.6 Compliance with state aids provisions All actions financed by Phare will respect the state aid and competition provisions of the Europe Agreement. 12. Conditionality and sequencing The National Agency for Regional Development will ensure the necessary human resources for the technical management of the Grant Scheme. The Office will ensure that the members of project staff are fully conversant with the target group requirements and with the operation of the Phare Programme. The Office will make certain that the recipients make their financial contributions as planned. Good quality project proposals are available in May The call for proposals can be launched as planned in February

9 ANNEXES TO PROJECT FICHE 1. Logical framework matrix in standard format 2. Detailed implementation chart 3. Cumulative contracting and disbursement schedule by quarter for full duration of programme (including disbursement period) 4. List of relevant Laws and Regulations 5. Reference to relevant Government Strategic plans and studies 6. Feasibility studies and other types of preparatory work 7. Template for the institutional framework/implementation arrangements in case of grant schemes 9

10 ANNEX 1 LOGFRAME PLANNING MATRIX FOR Programme number 2003/ CBC Environmental Infrastructure Networks (Grant Scheme) Contracting period expires:7/2005 Disbursement period expires: 07/2006 Total budget: million Phare budget: 2.5 million Overall objective Objectively verifiable indicators Sources of Verification Ensuring an attractive environment contributing to the economic development and favourable living space by the creation of improved environmental and water management conditions 2% contribution to the investment necessary to achieve the good status qualification of surface and underground waters as defined in the 2000/60/EC Water Framework Directive Annex V. 1 (Surface Waters), 2. (Underground Water) Reports and statistics of the Central Statistical Office, county and local authorities Project purpose Objectively verifiable indicators Sources of Verification Assumptions Improving the environmental conditions of surface and underground water resources Number of environmental projects prepared for implementation projects implemented Reports and statistics of the Central Statistical Office, county and local authorities Surveys Reports of relevant ministries Data bases of relevant regional water authorities Data bases of relevant regional environmental inspectorates Results Objectively verifiable indicators Sources of Verification Assumptions 1. Ensuring the utilisation and good ecological status of the dykes and the surrounding territory, creating appropriate condition for inundation works 2. Improved facilities in flood protection (eg. dykes, river beds, reservoirs, technical installations) 3. Expansion of the ultrasonic monitoring network of water-flow 4. Technical solutions for the preservation of surface and underground water resources for the provision of better water quality, better ecological conditions, connection between catchment areas in Hungarian-Romanian border region 5. Development and upgrading of sewage systems, wastewater treatment plants, wastewater and sludge disposal for small communities, improving the quality of underground and surface water Benchmark: present (2003) status based on the data supplied by authorities Time scale: three years period from the start of implementation (1) Relative water discharge capacity of the river bed increased by 3% (2) Paved road-length on dykes increased by 6 % in the four counties (2) Average full access time reduced from 5 hours (unpaved dyke) to 0.4 hours (paved dyke surface) (2) Decreased duration of opening reservoirs by 30 % (6 hours) (3) Ultrasonic monitoring network developed by 3% (4) Gravitational water supply increased by 5% in lenght of river sections without gravitational water supply (5) Diminution of pollution of surface and underground waters 4 % (5) Wastewater treatment facilities in creased by 2% Project monitoring reports Progress report of the National Agency for Regional Development On-site examinations Central Statistical Office Local government statistics Reports of relevant ministries Data bases of relevant regional water authorities Data bases of relevant regional environmental inspectorates Activities Means Assumptions Successful activities on other fields of environmental protection and water management activities, including the reduction of air-, soil-, noise-, landscape pollution, water damages Competent organisation for the management of the environmental protection systems Local population can pay fees for the connection and use of the sewage system Environmentally sound attitude accepted among the local population and the enterprises 10

11 1. Purchase of machinery for sustaining good conditions of flood defence lines, machinery to prevent the dykes and river-beds against harmful vegetation 2. Paved road construction on dykes for prevention of the dykes from heavy traffic, and to ensure the accessibility regardless of weather conditions, modernisation of reservoir system, pumping stations, water control and water redirection structures 3. Establishment of territorial monitoring background for prevention and fast reaction in the case of environmental damage risk, including floodmonitoring systems 4. Purchase of equipment for endangered areas to reduce or prevent pollution, water dissemination, canalisation 5. Solution of harmless municipal sewage treatment and disposal, and sludge disposal in settlements, improvement of canalisation Implementation of the grant scheme in line with the provisions of the PRAG and the Vademecum on Grant Management; 2.5 million as Phare contribution supplemented by million national cofinancing and million as contribution form the beneficiaries. Sufficient number of good quality project proposals High quality project management Co-finance contributions available when required Preconditions Institutional structure to implement and operate the project is in place 11

12 ANNEX 2 CROSS BORDER ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKS Detailed implementation chart Component Grant Scheme J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D Call for Proposals Project evaluation and selection Contracting Implementation and disbursement 12

13 ANNEX 3 CROSS BORDER ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKS Cumulative contracting and disbursement schedule ( Million) 06/ / / / / / / / /2006 Commitment Disbursement

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15 ANNEX 4 CROSS BORDER ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKS List of relevant Laws and Regulations Act no. XXI/1996 on Regional Development and Physical Planning; Act no. XCII/ 1999 amending Act XXI/1996 on Regional Development and Physical Planning; Act no. LXXVIII/1997 on Environmental Actions Act no. LIII. of 1995 laying down the general rules of environmental protection Act no. XLIII. of 2000 on waste management Act no. LVII of 1995 on water management Government decree no. 240/2000. (XII. 23.) on the nomination of sensitive surface waters and catchment areas in relation with municipal wastewater Government decree no. 33/2000. (III. 17.) on certain tasks related to activities affecting the quality of groundwater Government decree no. 25/2002 (II. 27) on the national communal sewage disposal and purification implementation programme Government decree no. 123/1997 (VII.18.) on the protection of water bases, remote water bases and facilities of drinking-water supply Government decree no. 132/1997 (VII.24.) on actions against water-quality damages Government decree no. 148/1999 (X.13.) on the announcement of the treaty signed in Espoon (Finland) on 26 February about the examination of cross-border environmental effects Government decree no. 203/2001 (X.26.) on the regulations of the protection of surface waters Government decree no. 213/2001 (XI.14.) on the conditions of activities concerning communal waste Treaty No. 2001/9 from the Minister responsible for environmental protection, between the government of Romania and Hungary on the cooperation in the field of environmental protection (came into force on 14 December, 2002.) Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (Water Framework Directive) Directive 96/82/EC on the prevention of major industrial accidents 15

16 ANNEX 5 CROSS BORDER ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKS Reference to relevant Government Strategic plans and studies National Development Plan ( Regional Strategic Development Plan of the South Great Plain Regional Strategic Development Plan of the Northern Great Plain Sewage Treatment Solutions for Small Settlements * National Spatial Development Plan approved by the Hungarian Government in National Waste Management Plan The National Programme for Environmental Protection (draft) The National Environmental Remediation Programme County Development Plans 16

17 ANNEX 6 CROSS BORDER ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKS Feasibility studies and other types of preparatory work 1. Actualisation of priorities in the Hungarian-Romanian cross-border cooperation In order to get an overall view of the effects, results and experiences of cross-border co-operation Programmes, the NARD invited a professional company to work out a study. This working paper makes an overview of the priorities for the period between 2000 and 2002 and formulates the objectives for the next Programme. The base of this study are the county-, region-, national- and cross-border regions development concepts and programmes. The experts of this study took into consideration the opinions and experiences of local actors (County Development Councils, Road Management Companies, Water Authorities, Environmental Inspectorates, etc.), in the form of interviews or questionnaire answers. The study, completed in the above-mentioned way, evaluates the implementation of the Hungarian- Romanian Phare CBC Programmes on the Hungarian side and defines the development needs for the next period in cross-border co-operation. In comparison with the results of the study prepared on the Romanian side, there are two proposed common priorities for the Hungarian-Romanian Phare CBC 2003 Programme: 1. Cross-border economic development 2. Environmental protection, water management 17

18 ANNEX 7 CROSS BORDER ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKS Institutional Framework 1. PREPARATION OF THE PACKAGE OF CALL FOR PROPOSAL, GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS AND APPLICATION FORM ACCORDING TO THE PRACTICAL GUIDE IA drafts the call for proposal, the guidelines, the guidelines for applicants and the application form in consultation with the entities concerned in the given field (at national e.g. Ministries and regional level). IA submits the final version of the documents to EC for approval. EC Delegation endorses the documents. 2. PUBLICATION OF THE CALL FOR PROPOSAL The IA takes all appropriate measures to ensure that the nationally and regionally publicised call for proposal reaches the target groups in line with the requirements of the Practical Guide. 3. PROJECT SELECTION PROCESS The IA Békéscsaba Regional Office collects and registers incoming project proposals The IA (PAO) selects (in agreement with the Ministry of Environment and Water, if relevant) and approves the assessor team for the assessment of administrative compliance, eligibility and assessment of technical and financial quality of proposals. The IA (PAO) nominates the Evaluation Committee (non-voting chairman and secretary, and voting members) with the Ministry of Environment and Water involved, if relevant. Romanian experts can also be nominated in the Evaluation Committee. The IA (PAO) nominates the members of the assessment team and Evaluation Committee exclusively on the basis of technical and professional competence in the relevant area of development. In addition to technical and professional expertise a clear balance between regional-specific, local knowledge and independent nontargeted region expertise shall be ensured in the selection of the assessors and the members of the Evaluation Committee in order to guarantee the objectivity of the process. The EC Delegation endorses the team of assessors and the composition of the Evaluation Committee. The Delegation nominates an observer to follow all or part of the proceedings of the Evaluation Committee. Prior approval is needed from the Delegation for the participation of other observers. The Evaluation Committee shall identify projects with high cross-border effect within the Grant Scheme. Professional supervision will be ensured by the Ministry of Water and Environment in the Joint Evaluation Committee. The Evaluation Committee draws up its recommendations and decisions according to the assessor team s written assessment of each proposal on the basis of the published evaluation grid. The PAO approves the evaluation report prepared by the evaluation committee and forwards the evaluation report and any award proposals to the Delegation. The Delegation endorses (ex-ante) the evaluation report on the selection process and the final list of grants to be awarded. The IA notifies each applicant in writing of the result of the selection process. 4. CONTRACTING (PAO DESIGNATED IN THE RESPONSIBLE IMPLEMENTING AGENCY) The format of the grant contract is drafted according to the Practical Guide using the standard grant contract format and its annexes. 18

19 The format of the grant contract is to be approved by the Delegation (in cases where the call for proposals results in the award of a large number of grants which all have the same grant contract conditions). The PAO signs the grant contracts with the selected beneficiaries based on the final list of grants approved by the Delegation. The language of the grant contract is English and the official Hungarian translation of the contract is attached to the signed English language contract. Copy of the signed grant contract is sent to the Delegation. 5. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SELECTED PROJECTS BY THE BENEFICIARIES Beneficiaries subcontract suppliers of goods, services or works, in line with Phare procurement regulations annexed to the Grant Contract and under the Practical Guide. 6. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE SELECTED PROJECTS The IA receives and verifies the invoices and requests payment by the National Fund. 7. MONITORING OF THE PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE BENEFICIARIES Standard Phare monitoring instruments will be used for monitoring purposes. In case the conditions of Article 12 of the Council Regulation (EC) No. 1266/99 of 21 June 1999 on co-ordinating aid to the applicant countries in the framework of the pre-accession strategy concerning the co-ordination of the pre-accession instruments are met, new procedures may be introduced in due time, providing for a delegation of the selection of projects and approval of funding for PHARE-CBC in agreement with the Commission. 19