We are seeking 5 regions to receive grants of up to 100.000 EUR each and technical support to implement and enhance Area-Based Management tools developed by the BioProtect project and tested in the demonstration sites.
Call for applications for Associated regions to support the protection and restoration of biodiversity
Call opening: 1st November 2024
Call closing date: 1st January 2025 – 23:59 CET
Who Can Apply:
- Local/regional authorities, local and/or regional organisations from EU Member States, EU overseas territories, and associated countries to the Horizon Europe Programme.
- Local and/or regional authorities from associated regions from EU Member States, EU overseas territories, and associated countries to the Horizon Europe Programme, other than those that are part of the project consortium.
- Any other type of third parties according to the Horizon Europe conditions like private for-profit organisations, higher education organisations or NGOs are not eligible.
- In addition, it must be ensured that participating facilities are registered at the Funding & Tenders portal and have a 9-digit Participant Identification Code (PIC).
- Entities subjected to EU restrictive measures under Article 29 of the treaty on the European Union (TEU) and Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) are not eligible to participate as recipients of FSTP.
- Application must include a local/regional authority.
Note that applicants from the following countries where a project partner of BioProtect is located are ineligible for this call i.e., Greece, Portugal, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Norway, and are excluded from the list of potential beneficiaries.
Objectives:
Augment the impact and increase the robustness and adaptability of the solutions to protect and restore biodiversity.
- Improve the tools to protect and restore biodiversity.
- Gather feedback from regions to refine and strengthen these solutions.
Benefits
- Access to the BioProtect management tools area-based management decision support framework, including including:
- Technical assistance, training, and documentation and additional resources to fill knowledge and skills gaps.
- Tools to help visualise impacts of human activities, identify conservation areas, and resolve conflicts in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP).
- Support in engaging stakeholders and expanding Marine Protected Area (MPA) networks.
Process:
- Each selected region will be paired with a demonstration site.
- The technical assistance to the ’associated regions’ will include advice to prepare roadmaps, plans and projects to restore marine ecosystems and biodiversity in the associated regions, to address possible barriers and show the feasibility of implementing innovative solutions for socio-economic transition processes in an ecosystem based and circular economy perspective.
- Comprehensive support package will be provided, including tutorials and user guides.
Commitment:
- Associated regions to provide feedback to improve the BioProtect tools.
- Associated regions to collaborate on enhancing solutions for broader application.
- Associated regions to engage the relevant local stakeholders to co-evaluate the success of the solutions.
How to Apply:
Join us to gain expertise and tools to identify high-value conservation areas, balance conservation with economic activities, and support the Marine Spatial Planning process and work towards achieving the Nature Restoration Law targets.
FAQ
Where do I find more information about the Application for the Open Call?
You can download all relevant documents and access the Application form via the “Guideline” and “Apply” buttons above this FAQ.
Can you give an example of a local or regional authority?
The meaning of local authorities is an organization that is in charge of the public services and facilities in a particular area or for a community. So normally those are governmental institutions. But each country has other regulations about the definition of regional and local authorities. In such cases we would need a proof from your country, otherwise the institution is not eligible. Example of a local authority is Câmara Municipal de Lisboa and a regional example is Centro Region.
What is the percentage of co-financing of the project needed from other sources? How high is the support rate of the call?
Co-financing is not an obligation, but the beneficiaries may decide on using additional funds (own or from another entity). This is up to you.
How should the personnel costs be calculated within the application?
The personnel costs are just for the official staff within the applying entity (in case of consortium all applying entities).
Are there any details on budget allocation within the years or can this be decided individually?
There are no timely restrictions for allocating the fund as long as you spend the money during the project duration.
Can the flat rate of indirect costs be less than 25%?
Yes, the indirect costs can be less but not exceed 25% of the direct costs. You can decide individually which amount you want to use in your cost calculations.
What can indirect costs be spent on?
Indirect costs are costs for the applying entity(ies) that are not directly attributable to the project, but necessary for its realisation (e.g. electricity, office rent, general equipment). You can treat them as lump-sums. They need to be justified with your work plan.
What is the minimum/maximum duration of the projects?
The activities we are doing together with the Associated Region (consultations, technical assistance) will be carried out until the 30th of April 2027, therefore the money of the grant needs to be spent within this period as well.
