The cross-border co-operation component of the ENPI finances programmes, projects and any types of measure contributing to the objectives of the ENPI. It aims at reinforcing cooperation with territories bordering the European Union.  Information on how to apply is compiled on this webpage and can be downloaded here.

Background	Project Duration
Types of Grant	Deadline
Grant Size	Application Forms
Own Contribution	Application & Procedures
Funding Priorities	Languages
Grantmaking Criteria	Tips
Guidelines	Pdf Download

The European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) is in place from 1 January 2007 onwards. It replaces the MEDA and TACIS programmes. The overall goal of the instrument is to promote enhanced co-operation and progressive economic integration between the European Union (EU) and its neighbouring partner countries. This is particularly an instrument for assistance to those countries which will not accede to the European Union in the near future. It also encourages partner countries’ efforts aimed at promoting good governance and equitable social and economic development. The overall ENPI budget for the period of 2007 to 2013 is € 11,181 billion. Amongst others, the ENPI finances “joint programmes,” bringing together regions in Members States and partner countries sharing a common border. This is the cross-border co-operation component of the instrument to which € 1.118 billion is allocated (50% from the ENPI budget and 50% from the Budget of General Directorate for Regional Policy). The core policy objectives of cross-border co-operation (CBC) are to support sustainable development along both sides of the EU’s external borders, to help ameliorate differences in living standards across these borders, and to address the challenges and opportunities following on EU enlargement or otherwise arising from the proximity between regions across our land and sea borders.

Grants and tenders. The cross-border co-operation component of the ENPI finances programmes, projects and any types of measure contributing to the objectives of the ENPI.

To be defined in the annual action plans

To be defined in the annual action plans

The overall CBC funding priorities are defined in the Cross-Border Co-operation Strategy Paper.  Four key objectives are addressed under the ENPI CBC programmes:

• Promoting economic and social development in regions on both sides of common borders.
• Working together to address common challenges, in fields such as the environment, public health and the prevention of and the fight against organised crime.
• Ensuring efficient and secure borders.
• Promoting local cross border “people-to-people” action: Actions in the social, educational, cultural and media fields, as well as enhanced cross-border contacts between civil society groups and NGOs.

However, priorities are adapted to local circumstances and further specified in the CBC programmes.

Two main categories of programmes are established under ENPI-CBC:

• programmes covering a common land border or short sea crossing
• programmes covering a sea basin

Within the four overall priorities, detailed programming is the task of the programme partners, working together across the borders, at the local, regional and national level. They design a “joint programme” describing the objectives pursued, the fields of intervention, the expected results, the management procedures and the total amount of financing planned. They contain a description of the operations to be financed, an indication of the amounts allocated for each operation and an indicative implementation timetable.

Funds are allocated according to the indicative programme annexed to the CBC Strategy Paper:



In the future, these documents will be available on the Europe Aid website.

The regulation establishing the ENPI allows a broad range of actors to access the ENPI funds: The partners in the programming process define the precise beneficiaries of the actions under each programme, within the definition of eligible local and regional key actors. The eligibility is based on the ENPI regulation, but priority should be given to local and regional authorities, civil society and NGO’s, chambers of commerce, and the academic and educational community.

In general, under the ENPI regulation the following actors are eligible:

 

• partner countries and regions and their institutions;
• decentralised bodies in the partner countries, such as regions, departments, provinces and municipalities;
• joint bodies set up by the partner countries and regions and the Community; Community institutions and bodies; European Union agencies;
• international organisations, including regional organisations, UN bodies, departments and missions, international financial institutions and development banks, in so far as they contribute to the objectives of this Regulation;
• the following entities and bodies of the Member States, partner countries and regions and any other third country complying with the rules on access to the Community's external assistance: public or semi-State bodies, local authorities or administrations and consortia; companies, firms and other private organisations and businesses; financial institutions that grant, promote and finance private investment in partner countries and regions; natural persons; non‑state actors.
• Non state actors can be: non‑governmental organisations; organisations representing national and/or ethnic minorities; local citizens' groups and traders' associations; co-operatives, trade unions, organisations representing economic and social interests; local organisations (including networks) involved in decentralised regional co-operation and integration; consumer organisations, women's and youth organisations, teaching, cultural, research and scientific organisations; universities; churches and religious associations and communities; the media; cross-border associations, non-governmental associations and independent foundations.

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The practical implementation of the ENPI is regulated by three documents:
1 “Implementing Rules of the CBC Programmes”
This document explains how CBC programmes have to be implemented informing about the role of the joint management authorities.
2 “Rules and Procedures”
This document explains the basic principles the implementation of an action, which is supported by a grant from the Community. 
3 “Practical Guide to Contract Procedures for EC External Actions” (PRAG)
The purpose of the PRAG is to provide users with all the information necessary to undertake procurement or a grant procedure from the very first steps to the award of contracts. The annexes cover both the procurement phase and the execution of contracts. The Guide provides the procedures to be used in centralised systems (centralised and indirect centralised) and de-centralised systems with ex-ante approval or with ex-post controls by the European Commission.

To be defined in CBC programmes

To be defined in CBC programmes

The annexes of the Practical Guide to Contract Procedures for EC External Actions” (PRAG) (see below) include standard forms used in calls for proposals. For each call for proposal, they are provided together with the guidelines setting out the objectives of the call.

The CBC programmes are managed by joint management authorities (JMA). A non-exhaustive list of calls is published on the EuropeAid website. This website has just been reviewed in order to make it more user-friendly. Tenders and grants are awarded following strict rules. These rules apply to the management and nature of calls for proposals/tenders. All EC external assistance follows the same set of rules (EC management procedure). 

The European Commission recommends that the JMA use one of the Community languages common to all the participants. The beneficiaries of projects may submit all documents in relation to the programme in their national language providing this language is mentioned specifically in the programme description and that the participating countries have foreseen, via the JMA, the necessary means of interpretation and of translation.

In order to succeed in accessing EC funds, a good understanding of the rules and procedures of the calls are crucial. Little administrative mistakes, such as submission after the deadline or missing documents lead to an immediate rejection. NGOs considering responding to a call should carefully read the guidelines. Project objectives should directly be linked to the objectives of the call. Applicants should also read the relevant policy papers and refer to them, when appropriate.

EC officials use an EC handbook explaining how to draft and manage a proposal. This document can also be useful for NGOs especially part 2 on the logical framework approach. It is called “Aid Delivery methods – Volume 1 – Project Cycle Management Guidelines”.

NGOs with little experience in applying for EC funding should consider participating in other NGOs’ projects funded by the EC. As a junior partner they can build their capacity and get acquainted to EC requirements without taking full responsibility of a project. Consult and liaise with both the JMA in the beneficiary country and the Brussels-based officials. Another information source is the Regional Capacity Building Initiative (RCBI), which has been established in order to assist the JMAs establishing the CBC programmes. More information is available at the European Commission’s website established for CBC.

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