Transcript How to Get Your Project Funded

EU Funding: an introduction
Tamsin Rose
OSI conference, Bled 22-24 April 2004
General features of EU programmes
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Annual Calls for Proposals
Limited time to prepare
Co-financing
Large-scale projects
Multi-annual projects
Geographic coverage and balance
Concrete activities
Require ‘innovation’
Success rates : from 1 in 5 funded to 1 in 15
OSI conference, Bled 22-24 April 2004
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Why avoid EU programmes?
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EC priorities don’t match yours and change often
Diverts resources from core activities
Need for independent voice and identity
Long timeframe and delays
Co-financing requirements
Cash-flow – late payments !
Cost to develop
Admin requirements
Need to downsize after project
OSI conference, Bled 22-24 April 2004
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Why participate in EU programmes?
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Profile and visibility
Receive information and expertise
Join networks
Funds
Support national advocacy
Develop expertise and capacity
Increase professionalism
OSI conference, Bled 22-24 April 2004
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There are many different roles
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Leader
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Partner
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Create and manage consortium, contractual
responsibility for finance and admin (Coordination)
responsible for a national activity or thematic input
(Activity)
Expert
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scientific input or sectoral knowledge
OSI conference, Bled 22-24 April 2004
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Review of the pros and cons
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PRO
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CONS
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EU projects provide profile, visibility, funds, new
partnerships, exchange of information and data,
advocacy opportunities, reinforce capacity
EU projects may not match your priorities, cost you
money, create major admin and cashflow problems,
decisions take a long time.
CONCLUSION: Make up your own mind on a
case-by-case basis
OSI conference, Bled 22-24 April 2004
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Look for the right funding
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Where to find information?
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EU Information Centre
EU Delegation
Umbrella organisations
Internet
Focus on a few options only
Don’t try to fit a square into a circle
OSI conference, Bled 22-24 April 2004
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Some questions for an NGO manager
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Does this programme respond to my priorities and
philosophy?
Will this contribute to my mission statement?
Can I retain my independence?
Do I have the resources to apply?
Can I find the right partners?
Who else might apply?
What do I need from this project?
OSI conference, Bled 22-24 April 2004
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Get ready !
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Prepare a brief ‘visit-card’ – history, members, recent
projects
English copies of your statutes, lists of executive board
members, annual accounts
Know the cost of key budget items: staff, travel,
translation
Get agreement of your members and executive
committee
Check previous funded projects, application forms
Identify potential partners and co-funders
Take advantage of Commission Q+A opportunities
OSI conference, Bled 22-24 April 2004
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Useful websites
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EU DG SANCO
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Overview of EU grants and loans:
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http://europa.eu.int/grants/index_en.htm
EuropeAid
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http://europa.eu.int/comm/health
http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/index_en.htm
Tender/Proposal search:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/cgi/frame12.pl
EC delegation around the world
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http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/repdel/index_rep
_en.cfm
OSI conference, Bled 22-24 April 2004
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