CFPs: Monitoring, Restoration and Management of Natural Resources (North Macedonia)

Deadline: 30-Apr-24

The European Commission is currently accepting proposals to improve the management of natural resources in the Prespa region.

The overall EU for Prespa action in North Macedonia will support the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans in the transboundary Prespa Lake area, focusing on the pillars of biodiversity, toxic-free environment and greening the agriculture and local business.

The EU investments aim at preserving the natural capital and at restoring the damaged ecosystem of Macro Prespa Lake to good ecological status combining measures to fight pollution of water and soil, to protect endangered species and to encourage the sustainability of the local economic and agricultural practices. The action will put in operation systems for collection and treatment of waste-waters and solid waste, and arm the local communities with knowledge and tools to contribute to the protection of environment. In parallel, EU funding is allocated to measures for conservation, restoration and management of the habitats in most endangered areas of Prespa. The action will equally focus on sustainable food and tourism. It is expected that the EU investments will reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture and will promote affordable healthy food. Funding of sustainable tourist products will create a development opportunity with a low environment footprint.

Objectives

• The specific objective(s) of this call for proposals is/are: to improve the environmental research, education and conservation efforts in the Prespa region.

Priorities

• The priorities of this call for proposals are:
  • Priority 1: Environment-focused scholarships, education and training;
  • Priority 2: Research and monitoring of the natural resources by young scientists;
  • Priority 3: Conservation, restoration & management of habitats in at least 3 areas in Prespa; and
  • Priority 4: Communication and awareness activities.

Funding Information

• The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is EUR 2,000,000.00. The contracting authority reserves the right not to award all available funds.
• Size of grants
  • The grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
    • minimum amount: EUR 1,800,000.00
    • maximum amount: EUR 2,000,000.00
  • The grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum percentages of total eligible costs of the action:
    • Minimum percentage: 60 % of the total eligible costs of the action.
    • Maximum percentage: 90 % of the total eligible costs of the action.
• The balance (i.e. the difference between the total cost of the action and the amount requested from the contracting authority) must be financed from sources other than the general budget of the Union or the European Development Fund.

Eligibility Criteria

• Lead applicant
  • In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
    • be a legal person  and
    • be non-profit-making and
    • be a specific type of organisation such as: non-governmental organisation; public sector operator; local authority; central, regional and local government units (ministries, municipalities, departments, agencies); management authorities of protected areas or other organisations/institutions for nature protection; international (inter-governmental) organisation as defined by Article 156 of the EU Financial Regulation
    • be established in   a Member State of the European Union, or a beneficiary country listed in Annex I of the IPA III regulation, or a member country of the European Economic Area, or a member of the Neighbourhood partner countries and territories covered by NDICI (annex I of NDICI); and
    • be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co- applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary
• Co-applicant(s)
  • The lead applicant must act with at least one (1) co-applicant. A grant application must include at least one co-applicant established in the Municipality of Resen. Co-applicants can participate in more than one grant application.
  • In addition, it is encouraged to include a co-applicant from cross-border municipalities adjacent to the Prespa lake area in Albania or Greece.
  • Co-applicants participate in designing and implementing the action, and the costs they incur are eligible in the same way as those incurred by the lead applicant.
  • Co-applicants must satisfy the eligibility criteria as applicable to the lead applicant himself.
  • If awarded the grant contract, the co-applicant(s) (if any) will become beneficiary(ies) in the action (together with the coordinator)

For more information, visit European Commission.