Priority II
Technical Assistance
The objective of this Priority axis is to provide effective and efficient administration and implementation of the cross-border programme.
Measure II. 1 Programme administration, monitoring and evaluation
Technical assistance will be used to support the work of the national Operating Structures (OSs) and of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) , ensuring the efficient implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programme, as well as an optimal use of resources. This will be achieved through the establishment and operation of a Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) in Serbia and a JTS antenna in Montenegro. The JTS will be in charge of the day-to-day management of the programme and will be responsible to the OSs and the JMC. The JTS should, inter-alia, draft the calls for proposals’ Guidelines for applicants under the supervision of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC).
An indicative list of eligible activities under this measure can include:
• Support to Operating Structures, Joint Monitoring Committee, Joint Technical Secretariats and any other structure (e. g. Steering Committee) involved in the management and implementation of the programme
• Establishment and functioning of Joint Technical Secretariat and its antenna, including staff remuneration costs (with the exclusion of salaries of public officials)
• Expenses for participation in different meetings related to the implementation of the programme
• Administrative and operational costs related to the implementation of the programme, including the costs of preparation and monitoring of the programme, appraisal and selection of operations, organisation of meetings of monitoring committee, etc.
• Assistance to potential beneficiaries in the preparation of project applications and to beneficiaries in project implementation and reporting
Measure II. 2 Programme Information and Publicity
The specific objective of this measure is to ensure programme awareness amongst national, regional and local communities and in general among the population in the programming area. It also supports awareness-raising activities at the country level in order to inform citizens in both countries about the programme. It might also cover, inter alia, the preparation, translation and dissemination of programme related information and publicity material, including a website
An indicative list of eligible activities under this measure can include:
• Preparation, translation and dissemination of programme related information and publicity material, including programme website
• Organisation of public events (conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. )
• Awareness raising and training for potential beneficiaries, including partner search forums
Indicative timetable and amounts for the implementation of the measures:
The Measures of Priority I will be implemented through grants schemes. The detailed selection and award criteria for the award of grants will be laid down in the Call for proposals-Application Pack (Guidelines for applicants) . It is foreseen that the calls for proposals, will be launched in the first quarter of 2009.
Measures of Priority II, consisting in technical assistance will be implemented through individual direct grant agreements without call for proposals to be concluded between the EC Delegations in Serbia and in Montenegro and the national authorities of both countries (CBC Coordinators, Operating Structures, as appropriate) in accordance with article 168.1. (c) of the Implementing Rules of the Financial Regulation. It is foreseen that the IPA grants will be awarded in the first quarter of 2010.
For the purpose of an efficient use of TA funds, a close coordination between national authorities (Operating Structures, CBC coordinators) of the participating countries is required. The same time-table will be envisaged for both countries in order to ensure compatibility of advice provided and sound coordination vis-à-vis project implementation.
