EU Funding Every Day
Why did I decide to name this month’s column like this? Simply because the story on EU funding isn’t a story told only once. This is a story that happens every day, all around us, no matter how much we knew about it. And for the most part, we don’t know enough.
As we explained it in the last column, the system of using resources from EU funding is based on the existence of different funds (grants). These funds are available to us, but they can be received only when certain funds announce tenders, and of course, when we apply for those tenders and meet the criteria, after which the funds are granted. Meaning, one needs to have projects, one needs to know which funds can cover their financing, one needs to follow tenders and of course, one needs to apply for those tenders. A system set up like this is pretty complex for an individual or an entrepreneur. That’s why all the institutions of the system (whatever that means) should help entrepreneurs and other interested parties with this as well as enable and encourage them to apply, so all non-refundable funds would be used to the greatest extent possible. After entering the EU, according to the previously described system, Croatia will have around 2 bn EUR available a year, and we should do everything we can to ˝suck˝ as many of these euros into the economy and other needs of Croatia as possible, since this is something that will make realization of different projects possible, as well as employing a large number of the unemployed. Also, new considerable works and orders will take place for our business people. This can contribute greatly to us being able to exit recession, which doesn’t seem will be over any time soon.
To my knowledge, today (or these days) tenders for the following grants and purposes have been announced in Croatia, or for Croatia:
IPARD Measure 101 – Purpose of funding is financing projects of agricultural production for eligible projects, up to 900,000 EUR (for projects of egg production up to 2,000,000 EUR). Grants make up to 75% of acceptable value of the project. There is a favourable line by HBOR (Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development) by which the whole project is co-financed, i.e. the part that doesn’t include IPARD grants, with repayment period of 12 years, 2 years of moratorium and 2% interest. Tender is open until 29th February 2012.
IPARD Measure 103 – Purpose of funding is financing projects and projects of processing and storing of agricultural and fishery products for eligible projects, up to 3,000,000 EUR. Grants make up to 75% of acceptable value of the project. There is a favourable line by HBOR, by which the whole project is co-financed, i.e. the part that doesn’t include IPARD grants, with a repayment period of 12 years, 2 years of moratorium and 2% interest. Tender is open until 29th February 2012.
IPARD Measure 302 – Purpose of funding is financing eligible projects for development of rural areas (rural tourism, production and sale on one’s own agricultural household, renewable energy sources etc.), up to 150,000 EUR. Grants make up to 50% of project’s acceptable value. There is a favourable line by HBOR, which co-finances the whole project, i.e. the part that doesn’t include IPARD grants on 12 years, 2 years of moratorium and 2% interest. Tender is open until 29th February 2012.
IPA III C – Purpose of funding is financing projects that will support reinforcing competitiveness in small and medium entrepreneurship. Grants range from 50,000 to 200,000 EUR, and level of support can range from 50-85%. Tender is open until 20th February 2012.
IPA I – Transition assistance. Purpose of funding is supporting civil sector organizations which are active in the area of preventing violence against the young and the children. Grants can range from 50,000 to 250,000 EUR, and level of support can range from 50-90%. Tender is open until 17th October 2012.
EIDHR – European instrument for democracy and human rights. Purpose of funding is supporting civil sector organizations that are active in the field of supporting the activities of minorities, persons with disabilities, working women, children etc. Grants can range from 50,000 to 300,000 EUR, and level of support can range from 50-90%. Tender is open until 19th March 2012.
IPA IV – Human resources development. Purpose of funding is supporting employment of persons with disabilities. Grants can go from 50,000 to 150,000 EUR, and level of support can range from 50-95%. Tender is open until 23rd January 2012.
CIP - IEE – Intelligent energy. Purpose of funding is supporting the use of renewable energy sources. Grants can go up to 6,000,000 EUR. Tender is open until 8th May 2012.
There are also numerous EU funds available to Croatia, such as Culture, Europe for Citizens, Lifelong Learning, just to name a few.
In the context of the aforementioned, a big question is what part of tens of millions of euros that are at our disposal, in the above mentioned tenders, and that are currently open to our economy and other needs, we’ll ˝bring˝ to Istria, and to the rest of Croatia. A big question is also how much the institutions of the system are working on it: local self-government, county self-government, state administration, different chambers, development agencies, different government, county, municipality or city institutions, institutes, schools and colleges, different business associations, guild organizations, education and other similar institutions. As we can see, there is quite a number of them out there, and they are costing tax payers and the overall economy a pretty penny. However, the question is how much all these institutions are concretely at our disposal. We know that public lectures are often organized, at all levels, from Poreč to Zagreb. However, how much will this concretely help in applying and actually getting funds from the above mentioned tenders? We’ll probably never find out the answer, simply because there are no precise records of it. After having communicated with economy and public sector representatives, I don’t really have a feeling they are undertaking energetic and comprehensive activities, in order to use as many grants possible that are at our disposal.
Dear businessmen and businesswomen, it looks that the only option left is getting organized and informed by ourselves, as well as looking for and getting help. We also have to try realizing those funds, and not wait for the ones who, even though they should, don’t act quickly enough or efficiently enough. So, start preparing your projects and try getting as much non-refundable grants as soon as possible, and as soon it becomes possible! EU funds and grants are a living system that is happening around you every day, and you can either join it or observe all that’s happening from afar, insufficiently informed, without letting your business have any concrete use of all of it. To paraphrase politicians who encourage us to vote for entering the EU: YOU DECIDE!
zuf@adria-bonus.com
http://www.adria-bonus.com/
January, 2012
