General principles

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General principles

2007-05-31

The implementation of the mechanisms involves institutions of the beneficiary-states as well as the donor countries. The overall responsibility for the implementation of resources is delegated to the National Focal Point, which tasks are performed in Poland by the Ministry of Regional Development. On the donors’ side, the EEA Financial Mechanism Committee manages the EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs manages the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. The Financial Mechanism Office in Brussels assists the above-mentioned institutions and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Mechanisms, including contacts with the National Focal Point.
The process of projects selection provided within the framework of the Mechanisms is performed on the domestic, as well as on the donors’ side. For the approval by the institutions of the donor countries, the Polish side will submit only those projects, which positively passed the selection process in Poland. The institutions of the donor countries take final decisions on the granting and the amount of financial assistance. The contribution from the EFTA States in the form of grants shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking all relevant factors into account. European Community ceilings for co-financing shall not be exceeded in any case.
The laws of the Kingdom of Norway shall govern the co-operation between the donors and the Beneficiary States institutions.
Commitments under both mechanisms will be given to 30 April 2009.
With a reference to Article 4 of Protocol 38a, the following rules on the grant rate ceilings shall apply:

(a) Grant rate up to 60%; With the exceptions referred to in subparagraphs (b) and (c) below, the grant rate shall not exceed 60% of the project cost.

(b) Grant rate up to 85%; Where 15% or more of the project costs is co-financed by central, regional or local government budget allocations, the EEA Financial Mechanism may provide a grant for the remainder of the project cost.

(c) Grant rate up to and above 85%; For grant assistance set up to support NGO activities (including social partners), or to provide seed money or scholarships, the EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism may be applied in combination in order to allow grant rates above those described in sub-paragraph (a) and (b) of this Article, but generally not above 90%. Domestic co-financing will normally be required.
A grant agreement will be concluded between the National Focal Point and the relevant institution of the donor countries for each approved project. The grant agreements shall set out the terms, conditions and amount of grant assistance as well as the roles and responsibilities of the parties.
Expenditures incurred before the date on which the Financial Mechanism Committee and/or the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives its commitment are not eligible for grant support. The final date for eligibility will be fixed in the grant agreement.
Grant assistance shall be given as reimbursements of already incurred documented costs according to an agreed disbursement schedule. An advance payment may be made in some and justified cases.
All payments must be based on legally binding contracts or agreements, and must be supported by receipted invoices or accounting documents of equivalent probative value.