How To Apply : Decision Making Process
The main features of applying for Structural Funds awards will stay the same. Awards will continue to be made on the basis of competitive rounds in each of the Priorities.
Projects will be assessed through a combination of technical checks by the IAB and an expert and peer review process through Advisory Groups and a Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC).
However, there are a number of areas where scope for improving on the system to benefit applicants and generate legacy projects in the 2007-2013 Programmes has been explored. These include:
- a two-stage application process
- greater co-ordination of bids to different priorities and Programmes
- the introduction of new eligibility criteria for geographical and sectoral targeting and minimum project size thresholds
- some changes to project selection criteria
- some changes to the national rules governing eligible expenditure
- the frequency of application rounds
- the potential duration of awards
- advance payments will no longer be available and 'retentions' no longer held
Advisory Groups and Programme Monitoring Committee
The full applications will be subject to technical/eligibility checks by the IABs and formal scoring through the Advisory Groups.
The Advisory Groups scores will be submitted to one Programme Monitoring Committee for Lowlands and Uplands Scotland.
The Programme Monitoring Committee will make recommendations on which projects will get funding. Having a single body to oversee both the ERDF and ESF Programmes will ensure greater co-ordination between the different Funds.
Final decisions on project awards will be taken by Scottish Ministers on the basis of PMC recommendations.
Membership of the Programme Monitoring Committee and Advisory Groups will be decided by the Scottish Government, as the Managing Authority. Members of the Committees have been chosen to ensure that there is fair and effective representation of the key partners/sectors, geographical areas and important specific issues such as environmental sustainability and equal opportunities.
Selection criteria
Full guidance on the selection criteria on which project applications will be assessed will be issued in advance of the application round through the Notes for Applicants. However, strong emphasis will be placed on the following criteria in future appraisals:
- fit with national and local strategies
- partnership with relevant local and national bodies
- track record of the lead applicant in running Structural Funds and other similar projects
- taking forward the Programme's environmental sustainability, equal opportunities and social inclusion aspirations
Where a number of related projects cut across several priorities, to ease the uncertainty to projects of separate related applications, decisions on all priorities within a Programme will be made at the same time. Where projects have signalled that applications under separate priorities are related, advisory groups in the relevant priorities can consult and assess the two applications together to ensure decisions are joined up. The option of identifying 'linked' project applications will be available on the project application form.
