LIFE Integrated Projects

Transcription

1 The new LIFE Programme LIFE Integrated Projects Writers' Workshop Prague, 14 August 2014 Angelo Salsi Head of Unit, LFE Nature, DG Environment

2 Tools: Integrated projects (IPs) "projects implementing on a large territorial scale, in particular, regional, multi-regional, national or trans-national scale, environmental or climate plans or strategies required by specific Union environmental or climate legislation, developed pursuant to other Union acts or developed by Member States' authorities, primarily in the areas of nature, including, inter alia, Natura 2000 network management, water, waste, air and climate change mitigation and adaptation, while ensuring involvement of stakeholders and promoting the coordination with and mobilisation of at least one other relevant Union, national or private funding source"

3 For whom? Tools: Integrated projects (IPs) Entities responsible for the implementation of the target plan or strategy. Mainly public administrations or other entities active in the field of environment and climate protection, capable of coordinating, besides the IP, complementary actions co-funded by additional private or public (preferably EU) funds. Average size? 2 to 10 beneficiaries; EU contribution: average 10 M about 3 IPs per Member State. Co-funding rate? 60%

4 IPs the concept Plan/strategy implemented by the IP and complementary actions: Action 1 Action 2. Complementary actions/measures (co-) financed by non-life funds (EU/national/private). LIFE Integrated Project LIFE co-financing: Beneficiaries contribution: 60% 40% No other EU funds used!!

5 Plan or Strategy ( ) Environment sub-programme: a. Prioritised Action Frameworks pursuant to Article 8 of the Habitats Directive; b. Waste Management Plans pursuant to Article 28 of the Waste Framework Directive; c. River basin management plans pursuant to Annex VII to the Water Framework Directive; or d. Air quality plans pursuant to the Air Quality Directive. Climate Action sub-programme: a. National, regional or local specific adaptation strategy or action plan b. Urban or community-based action plan pioneering the transition to a low carbon and/or climate resilient society; or c. National, regional or industry/sector specific greenhouse gas mitigation strategy or low carbon economy roadmap

6 "Implementation" of a Plan/Strategy: Target implementation of all elements/actions of the plan in question In a large geographical area/ covering a significant number of cities (air, water) Not all aspects have to be directly covered by the LIFE project itself) There have to be longterm commitments to implement the entire plan in the given geographical area / cities by all relevant actors N.B.: IPs help competent authorities to fulfil their legal obligations!

7 IP vs. traditional project Implementation of a plan vs. Contributing to implementation a plan IP serves as a catalyst for implementation from A to Z of a plan in a given geographical area Traditional projects implement or improve implementation of actions linked to one or several aspects of a plan Approach / emphasis IP focusses on coordination and ensuring the commitment of all relevant actors to implement the whole plan, largely outside of the LIFE project (higher overheads; low CCA obligations in NAT/BIO) Traditional projects focus on concrete action / demonstration / pilotting (25% CCA for NAT/BIO; no obligation for common strategy beyond LIFE project)

8 Mechanisms Submission (only for Environment subprogramme in 2014) Off-line (Word and Excel files) Two stage approach: 1st stage Concept Note and plan 2nd stage full proposal Implementation: Revolving planning mechanism More flexibility Payments following periodic planning Cascading grants

9 Award criteria ( ) Minimum Pass Score Total Possible Technical coherence and quality Financial coherence and quality Extent and quality of the contribution to the objectives Extent and quality of mobilisation of other funds, in particular Union funds Quality of multipurpose, synergies and integration 7 15 Replicability and transferability 5 10 Transnational, green procurement, uptake 5 10 Overall pass score: 55 of 100 possible points

10 Nature IPs Implements a Proiritized Action Framework adopted under the Habitats directive EU added value will consider the project s contribution towards achieving the objectives of the Habitats and Birds Directive, and improving the conservation status of species and habitat types of Community interest and/or the status of bird species under the Birds Directive

11 Example of a Nature IP for a PAF in region X Land purchase IAS & Habitat restoration Education & awareness Management plans Monitoring Species Conservation Competent body submits proposal for an Integrated Project under LIFE covering specific activities Proposal shows how other Funds will be used to finance complementary activities (at least 1) LIFE IP EC 60% + cofinancing 40% TIME Competent Body Region X + stakeholders Agricultural measures Training farmers Others Large infrastructure Scientific studies Cohesion Fund EARDF Horizon 2020 National/ private funds Risk management Recurrent management Tourism promotion Decontamination Visitors facilities Management bodies Institutional capacity ESF ERDF Full plan implementation

12 Air IPs Implement and monitor local and regional air quality management plans - AQMP (Directive 2008/50/EC) Contribute to National Air Pollution Reduction Programmes Involve at least 5 cities Regional Air Quality Plan: coordination and cooperation between all local administrations and the regional administration

13 Air IP example 5 cities 1 LIFE IP 5 complementary projects Coordinating beneficiary (CB) is the Regional authority for all 5 cities or is the most representative city In the most representative city (at least): The competent authority sets the legal framework All priority actions foreseen in the AQMP/demonstrative actions are implemented (filters, measuring, traffic management) Private polluters take measures at the source/pay fines/fees

14 Air IP example (cont.) The CB coordinates/follows-up on commitments of the actors of the complementary actions All cities are associated beneficiaries (AB) for dissemination and stakeholder involvement The other cities commit to implement equivalent actions in their cities with their own funding/private polluter contribution /ESIF cofunding

15 Water IPs implement a/parts of a River Basin Management Plan (RMBP) in line with the Water Framework Directive, draw in and target supplementary funding from EU sources (e.g. EARDF), public funding sources (e.g. funds floods), private finance (e.g. water companies, local business) and commitments to implement the whole plan in a significant part of the catchment area, involve local stakeholders and NGOs in decision making offer a blueprint for how to integrate EU, national and local priorities on the ground

16 Water IP example Objective of Plan: to provide flood protection, water quantity, water quality, bathing & shellfish water improvements, biodiversity and recreation benefits Desired additional outcomes: contribute to improving ecosystem services; deliver also for N2000 in a whole river basin or large catchment resilience to future climate change Necessary elements: targeted infrastructure investment, land management and land use change; supplementary funding and complementary actions outside the LIFE programme

17 Water IP RBMP example: Target whole river basin district Seek out synergies at the outset and plan for multiple benefits Plan and implement measures to restore to good status and achieve protected area objectives Focus on improving compliance with basic measures Targeted land use change to protect sensitive areas and achieve good status Remove hydromorphological barriers from source to sea

18 Waste Management IPs Implement Waste Management Plans (WMP) (Article 28 Waste Framework Directive 2008/98) Link with other sources of funding or initiatives: Structural funds for large investments (waste collection and treatment); private companies and households; utilities; local, regional and national funds Reflect recommendations arising from an upcoming compliance and assessment exercise

19 Waste IP example Implement a Regional Waste Management The CB coordinates/follows-up on commitments of the actors of the complementary actions Prevention campaigns for specific targets (citizens, retailers, offices, schools) or specific waste streams (food waste, reuse/repair, packaging, textile, etc.) Creation of reuse centres: ESIF, Local authorities Civic amenity sites, distribution of compost bins for home composting, bins for separate collection (dry recyclables, bio waste) Organisation of specific collection for household hazardous waste, furniture, textile, WEEE, construction waste in view of recycling/reuse: local authorities, NGOs

20 Waste IP example (cont.) Implementation of PAYT (Pay-as-you-throw) schemes or landfill tax: Competent authority Development of a monitoring system for waste collection and treatment (including waste composition analysis, generation, collection, treatment and costs) in one municipality; rolling out the system across all municipalities in the region: competent authorities, ESIF development administrative and operational forces at public level, for the follow-up of implementation and inspections; setting up training courses: ESF

21 LIFE Call 2014 Indicative timetable Integrated projects Call published June 2014 Submission concept note 10 Oct Submission full proposal Apr Grants signed Sept 2015 Unused budget transferred to reserve traditional projects Sept. 2015

22 Tools: Technical Assistance Project (TAs) For whom? For those who would like to submit an IP, but need assistance in preparing the application What? Support in drafting the IP application; should be applied for a year before the intended IP Average size? Maximum 1% of the allocation for IP's => maximum 100,000 Co-funding rate? 60%

23 Thank you for your attention!