The European Commission-DG Enlargement

Migration and Socio-Economic Development in the Western Balkans

EuropeAid/129992/C/ACT/Multi

Guidelines
for grant applicants

22.02 07 01: Regional and Horizontal Programmes

IPA 2009 Multi-beneficiary Programme 2

Reference:

Deadline for submission of proposals: 31 May 2010

NOTICE

This is a restricted Call for Proposals. In the first instance, only Concept Notes must be submitted for evaluation. Thereafter, applicants whose Concept Notes have been pre-selected will be invited to submit a Full Application Form. Further to the evaluation of the Full Applications, an eligibility check will be performed for those which are provisionally selected. This check will be undertaken on the basis of the supporting documents requested by the Contracting Authority and the signed "Declaration by the Applicant" sent together with the application.

Table of contents

1. Migration and Socio-Economic Development in the Western Balkans

1.1Background......

1.2Objectives of the programme and priority issues......

1.3Financial allocation provided by the contracting authority......

2.Rules FOR thIS call for proposalS

2.1Eligibility criteria......

2.1.1Eligibility of applicants: who may apply?......

2.1.2 Partnerships and eligibility of partners......

2.1.3Eligible actions: actions for which an application may be made......

2.1.4Eligibility of costs: costs which may be taken into consideration for the grant......

2.2how to apply and the procedures to follow......

2.2.1Concept Note content......

2.2.2Where and how to send concept notes......

2.2.3Deadline for submission of the Concept Notes......

2.2.4Further information for Concept Note......

2.2.5Full Application form......

2.2.6Where and how to send the Full Application form......

2.2.7Deadline for submission of the Full Application form......

2.2.8Further information for the Full Application form......

2.3Evaluation and selection of applications......

2.4Submission of supporting documents for provisionally selected applications

2.5 Notification of the Contracting Authority’s decision

2.5.1 Content of the decision

2.5.2 Indicative time table......

2.6Conditions applicable to implementation of the action following the Contracting Authority's decision to award a grant

3.LIST OF annexes

1.Migration and Socio-Economic Development in the Western Balkans

1.1Background

In December 2005, the European Council adopted the Global Approach to Migration[1]. It initially focused on Africa and the Mediterranean region. In its Conclusions of December 2006, the European Council called on the European Commission "to make proposals on enhanced dialogue and concrete measures" with regard to applying the Global Approach to the Eastern and South-Eastern regions neighbouring the European Union. Through its Communication of 16 May 2007[2], the European Commission put forward a series of recommendations aiming at achieving better governance of migration flows in the eastern and south-eastern regions. Acknowledging the need for intensified and more coordinated cooperation with these regions, the European Council invited the European Commission to consider these recommendations as priority measures. In addition, the Presidency Conclusions of 21/22 June 2007 called on the MemberStates and the European Commission to ensure that adequate human and financial resources were allocated in order to enable the timely implementation of the migration policy in the region.

In 2007 the European Commission launched a project entitled "Joint Migration and Development Initiative" covering 16 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. In July 2008, the EU Member States, officially consulted about this project, have underlined the importance of extending this approach to the Western Balkans region.

A major change is ongoing in the external dimension of the European migration policy, namely the shift from a security-centred approach, to a more transparent and balanced approach encompassing all aspects relevant to migration. The Global Approach on migration put emphasis on the importance of improving the accompanying measures to manage migratory flows from/to South-Eastern regions neighbouring the European Union, making migration and mobility positive forces for development and giving greater consideration to labour migration aspects in policies and strategies to better manage economic migration, thus contributing to the growth in the Beneficiaries, promoting legal migration and curbing illegal migration.

TheStockholm Programme- An open and secure Europe serving and protecting the citizen- adopted in December 2009 sets out the EU’s legislative agenda in the area of justice and home affairs (JHA) for the years 2010-2014. It builds on the Hague Programme which was the plan for JHA cooperation for the last five years, which, in its turn, had followed the Tampere Programme. The Stockholm Programme defines the framework for EU police and customs cooperation, rescue services, criminal and civil cooperation, asylum, migration and visa policy.

Its subtitleA Europe of responsibility, solidarity and partnership in migration and asylum matters highlights the main priorities in the specific field:

'The development of a forward-looking and comprehensive European migration policy, based on solidarity and responsibility, remains a key policy objective for the European Union. Effective implementation of all relevant legal instruments needs to be undertaken and full use should be made of relevant Agencies and Offices operating in this field. Well-managed migration can be beneficial to all stakeholders. The European Pact on Immigration and Asylum provides a clear basis for further development in this field. Europe will need a flexible policy which is responsive to the priorities and needs of Member States and enables migrants to take full advantage of their potential. People in need of protection must be ensured access to legally safe and efficient asylum procedures. Moreover, in order to maintain credible and sustainable immigration and asylum systems in the EU, it is necessary to prevent, control and combat illegal migration as the EU faces an increasing pressure from illegal migration flows and particularly the Member States at its external borders, including at its Southern borders in line with the conclusions of the European Council in October 2009.'

Although migration can have positive effects on the socio-economic development, this is very much hampered by the fact that potential migrants from the Western Balkans find it difficult to identify job opportunities abroad matching their professional skills and educational qualifications. This may lead them to eventually accept low income job offers, which is translated in less important revenue flows being sent to their home countries and in loosing skills (which is detrimental also for their country of origin once they return). Furthermore, monetary flows generated by remittances sent by the migrants to their home countries have only up to a limited extent been effectively used to fuel investments and income and labour-generating initiatives.

In this context, the present Restricted Call for Proposals entitled "Migration and socio-economic development in the Western Balkans" aims at fostering the positive impact of labour migration on the socio-economic development of the Beneficiaries, in particular facilitating temporary labour migration from the Beneficiaries to EU Member States to acquire new professional skills; encouraging the return of skilled migrants to their origin countries; fostering the transfer of new skills acquired; and facilitating their social and professional reintegration. Reintegration is crucial to avoid possible 'secondary' irregular migration and to reduce the risk of returnees entering criminal networks. The project will also contribute to develop measures to prevent the so called 'brain drain' phenomenon and develop favourable socio-economic conditions which would allow skilled and qualified labour forces, especially young people, to develop their professional careers in their home countries.

1.2Objectives of the programme and priority issues

The overall objective of this Call for Proposals is to increase the benefits of temporary labour migration on the socio-economic development of the Western Balkans.

The specific objectives of this Call for Proposals are to:

-Inform skilled potential labour migrants from the Western Balkans about entering legally the EU labour market and prepare them to use their competences and skills more efficiently;

-Encourage the return of skilled migrants to their countries of origin while facilitating their sustainable social and professional reintegration[3]and promoting the dissemination of new acquired skills.

Expected results include the following: cooperation initiatives and networks between partners of the Western Balkans and the EU Member States are built; reliable data on labour migration are available; information about legal channels for migration is disseminated among potential migrants; information mechanisms about labour demand and job offers are developed; legal economic migration is promoted. Measures should also be in place to facilitate the return of temporary workers and to reintegrate them into their home society, thus ensuring the successful reintegration of returnees.

1.3Financial allocation provided by the contracting authority

The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is EUR 2.000.000 The Contracting Authority reserves the right not to award all available funds.

1.3.1. Size of grants

Any grant awarded under this Call for Proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:

  • minimum amount: 1.950.000 EUR
  • maximum amount: 2.000.000 EUR

1.3.2. Co-financing rules

In addition, no grant may exceed 90% of the total eligible costs of the action (see also section 2.1.4). The balance must be financed from the applicant's or partners' own resources, or from sources other than the European Union budget or the European Development Fund.

2.Rules FOR thIS call for proposalS

These guidelines set out the rules for the submission, selection and implementation of actions financed under this Call, in conformity with the provisions of the Practical Guide to contract procedures for EU external actions, which is applicable to the present call (available on the Internet at this address:

2.1Eligibility criteria

There are three sets of eligibility criteria, relating to:

  • applicant(s) which may request a grant (2.1.1), and their partners (2.1.2);
  • actions for which a grant may be awarded (2.1.3);
  • types of cost which may be taken into account in setting the amount of the grant (2.1.4).

2.1.1Eligibility of applicants: who may apply?

(1) In order to be eligible for a grant, applicants must:

  • be legal persons and
  • be non profit making and
  • be specific types of organisations such as: public sector operators orlocal authorities entrusted with responsibilities related to the implementation of activities relevant to the callor international (inter-governmental) organisations as defined by Article 43 of the Implementing Rules to the EC Financial Regulation[4]and
  • be nationals[5] of a MemberState of the European Union or of the European Economic Area[6]and
  • be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with their partners, not acting as an intermediary and
  • be experienced in migration issues in the 12 new EU Member States[7]and/orCandidates and Potential Candidates for accession to the EU from the Western Balkans[8]and
  • have regional networks and capabilities in the Candidates and Potential Candidates for accession to the EU from the Western Balkans.

(2) Potential applicants may not participate in calls for proposals or be awarded grants if they are in any of the situations which are listed in Section 2.3.3 of the Practical Guide to contract procedures for EU external actions (available from the following Internet address:

In part A, section III of the grant application form (“Declaration by the applicant”), applicants must declare that they do not fall into any of these situations.

2.1.2 Partnerships and eligibility of partners

Applicants may act individually or with partner organisations.

Applicants’ partners participate in designing and implementing the action, and the costs they incur are eligible in the same way as those incurred by the grant beneficiary. They must therefore satisfy the eligibility criteria as applicable on the grant beneficiary himself.

In addition to the categories referred to in section 2.1.1, the following is however also eligible:

  • nationals of a Candidate or Potential Candidate for accession to the EU from the Western Balkans

The following are not partners and do not have to sign the “partnership statement”:

  • Associates

Other organisations may be involved in the action. Such associates play a real role in the action but may not receive funding from the grant with the exception of per diem or travel costs. Associates do not have to meet the eligibility criteria referred to in section 2.1.1. The associates have to be mentioned in Part B section IV - “Associates of the Applicant participating in the Action” of the Grant Application Form.

  • Subcontractors

The grant beneficiaries have the possibility to award contracts to subcontractors. Subcontractors are neither partners nor associates, and are subject to the procurement rules set out in Annex IV to the standard grant contract.

The applicant will act as the lead organisation and, if selected, as the contracting party (the "Beneficiary").

2.1.3Eligible actions: actions for which an application may be made

Definition: An action (or project) is composed of a set of activities.

Duration

The planned duration of an action may not exceed 24 months.

Sectors or themes

Migration and socio-economic development

Location

Actions must take place in all of the following countries and territories:

-Albania

-Bosnia and Herzegovina

-Montenegro

-Kosovo under UNSCR N° 1244

-Serbia

-the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Project activities must take place in all of the above IPA Beneficiaries and maintain a geographically balanced approach.

Types of action

  • Regional and national thematic meetings, information exchanges, seminars and conferences, round tables with relevant services and authorities
  • Study visits, workshops, training activities;
  • Specialised expert missions and gaps and needs-analysis sessions, specific studies, assessment missions;
  • Actions improving operational cooperation and coordination (strengthening networking, mutual confidence and understanding, exchange and dissemination of information, lessons learned, experience and best practices);
  • Development and transfer of technology and methodology;
  • Awareness and dissemination activities;
  • Provision of advice on legislation, regulations, operational procedures.

Types of activity

Two main activities are foreseen under this Programme:

Activity 1Promote and support cooperation initiatives between the relevant actors (public employment services, special state agencies, local authorities, consulates, representation offices, etc) in EU Member States and in the Western Balkans to facilitate the entry of potential migrants to the labour markets in the EU and the Western Balkans.

1.1Strengthen cross border inter-service cooperation so as to enable relevant administration to provide up-to-date and accurate information to potential migrants on the risks linked to illegal immigration, as well on available channels for legal migration, including the entry requirements to EU labour market and conditions of temporary residence;

1.2Develop databases of skills per sector needed in the EU and in the Western Balkans;

1.3Provide information to graduate students for paid trainings in the EU with incentives for return.

Activity 2Develop measures to facilitate the return of skilled labour forces, reintegrating them into their home society, and supporting the dissemination of new acquired skills.

2.1Create temporary or virtual return programmes, i.e. by setting up e-learning schemes, facilitating networking between foreign researchers working in the EU, identifying and disseminating best practices in areas such as secondments or sabbatical leave;

2.2Foster institutional partnerships (research institutes, universities, hospitals, etc.) between the EU Member States and the Western Balkans in association with Community Programmes;

2.3Promote initiatives to support professional and socio-economic reintegration of the returned migrants (for instance bilateral agreements on social security, implementation of readmission agreements, post-arrival orientation programmes aiming at facilitating their integration into the labour market);

2.4Support mechanisms and initiatives of students or other skilled migrants returning to their countries with a view to disseminate their skills for the benefit of these countries;

2.5Reinforce consular cooperation between the authorities of the Western Balkans and of EU Members States by developing exchange of information between administrations;

2.6Share experience in managing short-term return programmes (EU Member States to be involved).

Sub-granting

In order to support the achievement of the objectives of the Action, and in particular where the implementation of the Action proposed by the Applicant requires financial support to be given to third parties, the Applicant may propose awarding sub-grants. However, sub-granting may not be the main purpose of the Action and it must be duly justified.

In case where the Applicant foresees to award sub-grants, it has to specify in its application the total amount of the grant which may be used for awarding sub-grants as well as the minimum and maximum amount per sub-grant a list with the types of activity which may be eligible for sub-grants must be included in the application, together with the criteria for the selection of the beneficiaries of these sub-grants.The maximum amount of a sub-grant is limited to EUR 10.000 per third party while the total amount which can be awarded as sub-grants to third parties is limited to EUR 100.000.

The following types of action are ineligible:

  • actions concerned only or mainly with individual sponsorships for participation in workshops, seminars, conferences, congresses;
  • actions concerned only or mainly with individual scholarships for studies or training courses;

Number of applications and grants per applicant

An applicant may not submit more than one application under this call for proposals.

An applicant may not be awarded more than one grant under this call for proposals.

An applicant maynot at the same time be partner in another application.

Partners may not take part in more than one application.

2.1.4Eligibility of costs: costs which may be taken into consideration for the grant

Only "eligible costs" can be taken into account for a grant. The categories of costs considered as eligible and non-eligible are indicated below. The budget is both a cost estimate and a ceiling for "eligible costs". Note that the eligible costs must be based on real costs based on supporting documents (except for subsistence costs and indirect costs where flat-rate funding applies). As a general rule, amounts indicated in the budget should always indicate a unit rate and the number of units. Lump sums are not permitted.