PROGRAMME AREΑ: “Integrated Marine and Inland Water Management”
PROGRAMME OPERATOR: Special Agency for the coordination of environmental projects
The programme is co-funded in 85% by the EEA GRANTS, 2009-2014, and 15% by the Public Investments Programme (PIP)
The European Economic Area (EEA) was created in 1994 and is the contribution of the three (3) countries of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, Donor Countries). Through the signed European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, between the Donor countries and the 27 EU member states, is established, besides the free movement of goods, services, people and capital among the EEA Grants members, the cooperation in the fields of research, economic development, education, social policies, environment etc.
Aiming at eliminate the social and economic disparities in the member states of the EEA and at strengthen the bilateral relationships, the Donor countries create a fund mechanism for the period 2009-2014 (EEA Grants). By the EEA Grants many projects funded in specific priority areas, through programmes in 16 beneficiary countries. The total budget of EEA Grants is up to €1.8 billion and includes 12 Priority Sectors that are analyzed in 32 Programme Areas.
In November 2011, Greece signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the three (3) Donor countries. In MoU, is defined the specific Programme Area entitled “Integrated Marine and Inland Water Management”, in the field of the Priority Sector of “Environmental Protection and Management”. The estimated contribution of EEA Grants for the particular programme area, for Greece, is €9,510,000.00, corresponding to a total amount of €11,188,000.00 budget. The programme aims at improving the environmental status of marine and inland waters of the European Union, including a “Pre-defined Project” entitled “Implementation of an integrated marine monitoring programme”. The Special Agency for the Coordination of Environmental Projects (SACEP) is defined as the Programme Operator of the project.
As part of the obligations and responsibilities, as the Programme Operator, SACEP prepared after extensive public consultation the relevant Programme. In July 2012, the Programme was submitted by the National Focal Point (Ministry of Development and Competitiveness) in EEA Grants for further evaluation. In November 2013, after collecting the necessary information followed by the relevant communication with the parties, EEA Grants conclude to the Draft Programme (en/el). In accordance to the Regulation for the implementation of the EEA and based on the Draft Programme, was the Programme Agreement signed between the Greek Authorities and the EEA Financial Mechanism Committee (FMC).
On July 29, 2014, was published, in the official journal of the Greek Government (2072/B/07.29.2014) , the Decision of the Minister of Development and Competitiveness entitled «Co-funding of the Special Agency for the Coordination of Environmental Projects as Programme Operator of the Project entitled “Integrated Marine and Inland Water Management” ,as part of the Programme Area “Integrated Marine and Inland Water Management” implemented with resources from the EEA Grants for the period 2009-2014 and the Public Investments Programme (PIP)». In the annex of this decision, is attached the signed, between the Greek Authorities and the FMC, Programme Agreement regarding the funds of the project “Integrated Marine and Inland Water Management”, in English and Greek. Also, in the same decision is attached the Programme Operator’s Commitment Letter.
The first opening meeting for the introduction to the implementation of the co-funding programmes, under the EEA mechanism, in Greece was organized on Novemeber 28, 2013. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Development and Competitiveness (with the support from the FMO) and SACEP presented the relevant Programme (Invitation, Presentation, Photos)
Regulation of the European Economic Area (EEA)
Regulation of the European Economic Area (EEA)
Annex 1 : Eligible Programme areas EEA Grants
Annex 2 : Template for MoU – EEA Grants
Annex 3 : Strategic report template
Annex 4 : Information and Publicity Requirements
Annex 5 : Irregularities reporting template
Annex 6 : Technical assistance budget
Annex 7 : Forecast of likely payment applications – template
Annex 8 : Reporting on interest earned – template
Annex 9 : Programme Operators’ Manual
Attachment 1 : Programme proposal template
Attachment 2 : Financial annex to the Final Programme Report
Annex 10 : Programme Agreement template
Annex 11 : Interim financial report template
Annex 12 : Rules for the establishment and implementation of donor partnership programmes falling under the Programme Areas “Research within Priority sectors” and “Billateral Research Cooperation”
Attachment 1 : Interim financial report template
Attachment 2 : Reporting on incurred expenditure template
Annex 13 : Table of total and net financial contributions
(amendment on June, 10 2015)
Memorandum of understanding on the implementation of the EEA financial mechanism
Memorandum of understanding on the implementation of the EEA financial mechanism
(amendment on December,13 2013)
Memorandum of understanding on the implementation of the
EEA financial mechanism
(amendment on June,1 2015)
CIRCULAR ON THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATOR’S ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES REGARDING THE EEA FM 2009-2014 PROGRAMME entitled: “Integrated Marine & Inland Water Management”, GR02
DETAILED DESCRIPTION MCS – GR02
Useful links
- EEA-Grants (Official site)
- Ministry of Development & Competitiveness (NSRF 2007-2013)